The Danger of Deceptive Religion

There are dangers followers of Jesus face when it comes to deceptive philosophies. In addition, there are dangers followers of Jesus face when it comes to deceptive religion. Religion is an attempt by people to enter into a relationship with Jesus through following a list of rules and regulations that have nothing to do with actually following Jesus. In a letter in the Bible, a man named Paul makes us aware of these dangers:

"Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!"(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." Colossians 2:18-23

In these verses, Paul reveals five dangers that deceptive religion present to followers of Jesus. First, deceptive religion desires to rob us of our reward. Religion desires to remove the reward of an eternal relationship with God with rules and regulations.

Second, deceptive religion desires that we delight in self humiliation. Deceptive religion focuses on our earthly bodies being evil instead of being a blessed creation of God.

Third, deceptive religion desires that we devote ourselves to idols. Religion tries to entice us to worship things that are created; either spiritual beings, the things of this earth, or even ourselves.

Fourth, deceptive religion desires to remove us from community. Religion will attempt to remove us from the community that is led by our Lord and Leader, Jesus Christ. In addition, religion will attempt to remove us from the community that is united in Christ. It is interesting that many religious people can be identified by their divisive demeanor, especially religious "Christians".

Finally, deceptive religion desires we live apart from Christ and according to the world. Religion will deny a connection to Christ and is often rooted in prior flawed religious systems. Religion also replaces freedom with rules. These religious rules always involve the material and perishable. In addition, these religious rules are man-made and fail to result in any spiritual growth. Wile man-made religion and its rules appear to be wise, at the end of the day the denying of physical desires, or asceticism, and other practices that man-made religion promotes do not satisfy the selfish desires that lead to sin.


So are you being endangered by deceptive religion? Are you aware of the danger that deceptive religion presents to the relationship with God that you were created for through Jesus Christ?