John 14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The greatest weapon against the truth is a lie. The most believable lies are those that contain some truth. Deception is based on lies and half-truths. Those who are deceived don’t know that they are deceived because they believe lies. The only thing that exposes a lie and frees those who are deceived is pure and uncorrupted truth.
Now consider that the devil “is a liar and the father of lies,” thus when he tells a lie he is speaking consistent with his character, John 8:44. However, Jesus is the “truth,” thus when He speaks the truth He is speaking true to His nature. Therefore, all truth in the world has its origin in Jesus and all lies have their basis in the devil.
The most effective lies the devil tells people are through false prophets and lying teachers, Matthew 24:11. These wolves in sheep’s clothing are either intentionally lying or they have been deceived; either way their lies are from the devil. Some of the most popular false religions today are Islam, Hinduism, Roman Catholicism, and Mormonism. However, new ones are starting all the time. Whether it is a backslidden preacher in the Philippines that now claims to be the Son of God or a new age guru who tells his followers that he is the god of the universe; deception is very deceiving and popular in these end times, 2 Peter 2:1.
Certainly, the largest and most dangerous false religion today is Islam. With over a billion followers the Quran teaches that it must seek world dominance through war and oppression, Surah 2:191-193, 2:216, 3:56, & 4:89. Such Muslim ruled countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia heavily persecute Christians who teach the truth about Mohammed and try to subdue them. Because in Surah 9:29 Mohammed said, “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”
Here are three ways you can stand against false religions, (1) Know and defend the truth of the Bible; (2) Wisely refute the lies that false prophets and other religions teach as truth; and lastly, (3) Pray for God to open the eyes of those who are deceived.
Reflection
Do you believe Jesus, God in the flesh, is the only way to the Father, the only truth concerning all things; and the only life that can make men’s soul live forever and not perish?
Action
- Explain from the Bible why false religions are sinful.
- Pray that God will use you to reach those in other religions with the truth of Jesus Christ.
- For more information regarding standing against false religions read the following books, “The Kingdom of the Cults,” by Walter Martin and “Answering Islam,” by Norman Geisler.
