The concept of false religions can be contentious, as what’s true for one person may not be for another. Understanding different belief systems with an open mind can promote tolerance and dialogue, even if we don’t agree with each other’s views.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Letting Go Of Someone You Love
What Does The Bible Say About False Religions
2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
This verse emphasizes the importance of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers. It highlights the stark contrast between righteousness and wickedness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial. As believers, we are temples of the living God, and thus, we should not have any agreement or fellowship with false religious practices or idols.
1 Timothy 4:1
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
This verse warns us about the rise of false religions in later times. It cautions that some individuals will abandon their faith and be swayed by deceiving spirits and teachings influenced by demons. It serves as a reminder to discern and stay rooted in the truth of God’s Word.
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
This verse declares the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. It affirms that there is no other name in heaven or on earth by which humanity can be saved. It reminds us that false religions cannot offer true salvation and that our faith should be anchored in Christ alone.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus unequivocally states that He is the only way to the Father. He not only embodies truth but is the personification of life. No person can access a relationship with God the Father except through Jesus Christ. This verse reaffirms the exclusivity of Christ in matters of faith.
1 John 4:1
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This verse encourages believers to exercise discernment when it comes to religious teachings. Not every spirit or prophet is from God, and we need to test them against the truth. It reminds us that false religions and false prophets abound in the world, and we must be cautious and measure their teachings against the Word of God.
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
This verse serves as a warning against false prophets. It cautions us about individuals who may appear mild and harmless outwardly, but inwardly they have malicious intent and destructive teachings. As believers, we need to be vigilant and discerning to identify false prophets and protect ourselves from their influence.
1 John 2:22
Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist, denying the Father and the Son.
This verse identifies those who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ as liars and the antichrist. It emphasizes the significance of acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is operating contrary to the truth of God’s Word.
Galatians 1:8-9
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
These verses convey the seriousness of preaching a different gospel than what has been established by the apostles. It states that even if an angel were to preach a gospel contrary to the true message of salvation, they would be subject to God’s curse. It highlights the importance of adhering to the authentic gospel of Christ and remaining wary of false religious teachings.
2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
This verse acknowledges the existence of false prophets and false teachers within the community of believers. It warns that these individuals will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Lord who redeemed them, resulting in their own ruin. It reminds us to be discerning and cautious of such misleading teachings.
Matthew 24:24
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Jesus warns about the arrival of false messiahs and false prophets who will showcase impressive signs and wonders to deceive people, including believers if possible. This verse underscores the need for spiritual discernment and the readiness to test the authenticity of miraculous claims against the truth of God’s Word.
Isaiah 44:20
He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
This verse depicts the foolishness of those who follow false religions. It portrays them as being deceived and feeding on ashes, symbolizing emptiness and falsehood. Such individuals are unable to save themselves or recognize the lies that they hold onto. It serves as a reminder that false religions lead to spiritual emptiness and deception.
Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
This verse describes the act of exchanging the truth about God for a lie. It highlights the idolatry that occurs when individuals worship and serve created things rather than the Creator Himself. It reinforces the need to worship and serve God alone and not be lured into the false religions that place emphasis on created beings or objects.
Mark 13:22
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Similar to Matthew 24:24, this verse also warns about the coming of false messiahs and false prophets who will use signs and wonders to deceive people, even those who are strong in their faith. It emphasizes the importance of being rooted in the truth of God’s Word and discerning the legitimacy of supernatural occurrences.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer.
These verses caution against false prophets who may perform signs or wonders and then entice people to follow other gods. It admonishes believers not to be swayed by such individuals and their deceptive teachings. It reminds us not to deviate from the worship of the true God, even when presented with apparent supernatural occurrences.
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
This verse urges believers to be cautious and not allow themselves to be captivated by hollow and deceiving philosophy. It warns against ideologies that are built upon human tradition and rely on spiritual forces other than Christ. It emphasizes the importance of grounding our faith in Christ rather than in teachings that are not aligned with His truth.
Jeremiah 10:14
Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them.
This verse exposes the senselessness and lack of knowledge associated with false religions. It ridicules the idols and images that individuals craft as being fraudulent and lifeless. It serves as a reminder that false religions are built upon empty and powerless worship, devoid of spiritual truth.
Psalm 96:5
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
This verse declares that all the gods worshipped by the nations are mere idols, while the Lord is the one who created the heavens. It emphasizes the superiority of God over all false deities and religions. It reinforces the truth that true worship is directed toward the Creator rather than man-made idols.
1 Corinthians 8:4
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”
This verse addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols but ultimately highlights that idols possess no inherent power or significance. It affirms the belief in one true God and establishes the insignificance of false idols. It reminds believers that false religions hold no sway over the truth and power of the one true God.
1 Kings 18:26
So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
This verse recounts the futile attempts of the prophets of Baal to summon their god through fervent prayers and rituals. Despite their efforts, there was no response or answer. It serves as a reminder of the emptiness and powerlessness of false religions, as seen in the lack of any divine intervention or connection.
Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
This verse identifies those who deny the existence of God as foolish. It portrays them as corrupt and engaged in vile deeds. It suggests that rejecting God leads to a moral and ethical decay. It underscores the importance of recognizing the truth of God’s existence and His moral standards.
1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
This verse reminds the Corinthians of their past as pagans and the influence of idols on their lives. It acknowledges that they were led astray by the worship of mute and lifeless idols. It serves as a testimony to the deceptive and leading nature of false religions, urging believers to stay firm in their faith.
Psalm 135:15-17
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths.
This passage presents a vivid picture of the powerlessness of idols crafted by human hands. It highlights their inability to speak, see, or hear, let alone possess the breath of life. It reinforces the emptiness and futility of false religions that find their foundation in lifeless objects.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
but test them all; hold on to what is good,
This verse encourages believers to test and evaluate all teachings and spiritual influences. It advises that we hold firmly to what is good and aligns with the truth. It highlights the importance of discernment when it comes to false religions, ensuring that we do not fall into their deceptive trap but remain steadfast in the truth of God’s Word.
Isaiah 45:20
“Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.”
This verse calls upon fugitives from the nations to gather and assemble, highlighting their ignorance in carrying around idols made of wood. It emphasizes the futility of praying to gods that have no power to save. It encourages turning away from false religions and redirecting faith towards the one true God who can offer salvation.
1 Chronicles 16:26
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Like Psalm 96:5, this verse underscores the superiority of the Lord over all gods worshipped by the nations. It proclaims His sovereignty as the Creator of the heavens, contrasting with the lifeless idols crafted by human hands. It reaffirms that false religions offer empty and insignificant alternatives compared to the God who reigns above all.