HOW TO DETECT A FALSE RELIGION

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1).

Every year thousands of people are caught up in false religions Some of the most prominent false religions are:

Mormonism      Jehovah's Witnesses           The World church,       Garner Ted Armstrong    Christian Science          Unitarianism Unification Church,         Sun Myung Noon    Hare Krishna        The Baha'i Faith    Children of God Unity

Many false religions are involved in various forms of transcendental meditation, occultism, reincarnation, drugs, Satan worship, witchcraft, astrology and other dangerous false teachings. Most people do not have the time to study the teachings of each false religion. This tract sets forth a simple method to help you

First...

A S K     F 0 U R       S I M P L E      Q U E S T I 0 N S

DO THEY TEACH ANY PERSON OTHER THAN JESUS CHRIST?

(1 Cor 2:2 KJV) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Second...
DO THEY TEACH ANY BOOK OTHER THAN THE BIBLE?

(Rev 22:18 KJV) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:(19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Third...
DO THEY TEACH ANY MESSAGE OTHER THAN THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST?

(Gal 1:8 KJV) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Fourth"
DO THEY TEACH ANY PLAN OF SALVATION OTHER THAN FAITH IN CHRIST

(John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

HOW TO USE THIS TRACT
Below are some suggested ways this tract may be used in working with others:

1. Memorize these four questions and use them to detect false teachings. (You may paste then in the cover of your Bible.)2. Teach this method to your children. They can learn to apply these principles.3. Present this information in messages, Church Training, New Membership Orientation, Bible schools, camps and retreats.

4. Give this tract to those in danger of becoming involved in a false religion.

Any person who faithfully applies the four simple questions set forth in this tract will never become involved in a false religion.

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT AB0UT FALSE TEACHERS
I Timothy 4:1-3 Someone has pointed out that there are over 600 different religions in the United States. Among the fastest growing false religions in the United States are:
1. Mormonism - probably leading all other false religions in rate of growth.
2. Jehovah's Witnesses -. in 1970 it was reported that the world-wide membership of this group grew 370% during the preceding 20 years.
3. The religion of Herbert and Garner Ted Armstrong - they have a world-wide radio program, called "The World Tomorrow" and a magazine called "The Plain Truth." Garner Ted Armstrong has prime time on television and radio. His broadcasts are heard all over the United States and in several countries of the world. Dr. Harold Graves, President of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary said, "Every doctrine Baptists hold dear is being challenged."

In this message we will consider three things: 1. What the Bible calls false teachers. 2. What the Bible calls false teachings. 3. What the Bible teaches us to do about false teachers.

I. WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS FALSE TEACHERS.
I searched through the entire Bible and traced out every name the Bible gives to false teachers
(I may have missed a few, but I think I found them all). There are at least 14 names given to false teachers. Each of these names are very instructive and tell us much about them.

1. FALSE PROPHETS - (1 John 4:1 KJV) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2. FALSE APOSTLES - (2 Cor 11:13 KJV) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

An apostle must have: (1) a direct commission. (2) known Christ personally.- seen Christ personally, etc. (3) supernatural power and authority.

Mormons claim that Joseph Smith was an apostle. This is not true.

3. HERETICS - (Titus 3:9 KJV) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.(10) A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;(11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.Heretic defined:
(1) One who has professed Christianity and has embraced a false teaching:
(2) One who has denied a truth of the Christian faith.

4. DECEITFUL 'WORKERS - (2 Cor 11:13 KJV) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

5. SATAN' S MINISTERS - (2 Cor 11:14 KJV) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

6. WOLVES - (Mat 7:15 KJV) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

(Acts 20:28 KJV) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.(29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.(30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

7. DOGS - (Phil 3:2 KJV) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (In the New Testament "dogs" refers to false teachers.)(Rev 22:15 KJV) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. ("Dogs" here is a reference to false teachers - "Dogs" will not be in heaven.)

8. SEDUCERS - (2 Tim 3:13 KJV) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Webster: "To persuade into disobedience or disloyalty - To lead or draw astray into evil. To corrupt, debauch, mislead, decoy." 9. SPOTS IN YOUR FEASTS OF CHARITY - (Jude 1:12 KJV) These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;).

"Feasts of charity" - love feasts in connection with the Lord's Supper - to express love and mutual acceptance.

Two views about the meaning of "spots:"
(1) Blemishes - insincere people with false teaching.
(2) Rocks - under surface of water - dangerous.Either view is consistent with the general meaning, These people cause damage in church fellowship through false teachings.

10. CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER - (Jude 1:12b KJV) clouds they are without water, carried about of winds". "Liberals don't kill churches - they steal them!Illustration of dry clouds during the depression and dust bowl days -- looked good, but worthless! No rain ever came out of them. They profited nothing!

11. TREES WITH NO FRUIT - TWICE DEAD - (Jude 1:12c KJV) trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Dead trees cannot produce fruit. False teachers cannot produce the "fruit of the Spirit."

12. RAGING 'WAVES OF THE SEA - (Jude 1:13 KJV) Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

13. WANDERING STARS - (Jude 1:13B KJV) wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Meteors streaking across the sky are not in fixed orbit as the North Star etc. - they burn out, are ungovernable.

Illustration of the North Star and falling star - as compared to Christian vs. false teachers.

14. ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST (Phil 3:18 KJV) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

II. WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS FALSE TEACHINGS.
1. Spiritual DECEPTION - (Eph 4:14 KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

"Sleight of men" - gambling term - loaded dice, trick decks etc. Not all the gambling casinos in Nevada have as much deception and dishonest as if found in false religions. They are built on deception and dishonesty. Every false religion was started by a crook!

False teachers are (2 Tim 3:13 KJV) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Illustration of man who went to Las Vegas in a $20,000 Cadillac - returned on a $50,000 Greyhound bus.

2. Spiritual PERVERSION - (Titus 3:11 KJV) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Williams: Crooked and sinful. Phillips: He has a moral twist. New American Standard: Perverted. R.S.V. : perverted: Illustration of a sex pervert - these people are spiritual perverts are condemned in their conscience, but keep on just as sex perverts do.

3. Spiritual GANGRENE - (2 Tim 2:17 KJV) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

Webster: Medical term meaning 'Mortification (death) of a part of the body..." Illustration of man with gangrene of leg - only hope is to amputate.! 4. Spiritual SHIPWRECK - (1 Tim 1:19 KJV) Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

5. DOCTRINES OF DEVILS (1 Tim 4:1 KJV) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

III. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO DO ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS.
1. 'TRY THEM" - (Test them) - (1 John 4:1 KJV) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

My tract: on "How To Detect A False Religion" asks four questions:
1) Do they teach any person besides Jesus?
2) Do they teach any book besides the Bible?
3) Do they teach any message besides the Gospel?
4) Do they teach any plan of salvation besides simple faith in Christ?

2. "MARK THEN' - (Romans 16:17 KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

3. "REBUKE THEM" - (Titus 1:13 KJV) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

4. "HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP" (Eph 5:11 KJV) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

5. "WITHDRAW YOURSELVES" (2 Th. 3:6 KJV) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

6. "TURN AWAY FROM THEM" (2 Tim 3:5 KJV) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.(6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,(7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Illustration: These people creep' into homes and mislead silly women - husbands at work, etc. Does this mean they are creeps? Answer: It may! 7. "REJECT THEM" - (Titus 3:10 KJV) A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;(11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

8. "BE YE SEPARATE (2 Cor 6:17 KJV) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

9. "LET HIM BE ACCURSED. (Gal 1:8 KJV) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.(9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Means: "damned" - If he insists in his destructive course there is nothing you can do but witness to him and pray for him. 10. "RECEIVE THEM NOT (2 John 1:10 KJV) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:(11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

(Heb 13:9 KJV) Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

(Eph 4:14 KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

A Jehovah's Witness kept asking a man on the job to let him come to his house to study the Bible. The man refused him. Finally he became a Christian and studied his Bible. Then one day the Jehovah's Witness asked him again. He agreed and a day and time was set. When the Jehovah's Witness arrived, the man, with a Bible in his hand, met him at the door. The Jehovah's Witness said, " I am glad you allowed me to come and study with you." The man said, "Yes, but there is just one thing I forgot to tell you - I forgot to tell you who would be doing the teaching!"

Illustration:    A man resented the Jehovah's Witnesses because of their refusal to serve in the armed forces of our country and to salute the flag.. So he hit upon a plan that he would not listen to them until they had first saluted the flag. One morning a woman came to his door. He invited her in and said, "Now, there is just one thing. Before I listen to a word you say, you must salute the flag." She put he stuff down on the table and turned to the flag and said, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." When she was finished he looked at her in amazement and said, "You are different from those others." She said, "You know, you are different, also." "How am I different?" he asked. She said, "That is the first time I have had to salute our flag before I could sell my Avon products!"

CONCLUSION:
Jesus warned, "(Mat 7:15 KJV) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

False religions always operate on deception. One of Aesop's ancient fables illustrates this truth. "A wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it found the skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside, so it put it on over its own pelt and strolled down among the sheep. The lamb that belonged to the sheep whose skin the wolf was wearing began to follow the wolf in the sheep's clothing; so, leading the lamb a little apart, he soon made a meal off her, and for some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoying hearty meals.'The psychology of human personality requires an escape mechanism in the soul of man. He must have some way to salve his conscience and quiet his fears when he knowingly does wrong. Satan uses this fact to confirm man in an evil course by leading him to accept a lie for the truth. This is why a heresy thrives so. The minds of heretics are so restless that they move heaven and earth to salve their consciences by dragging others into their delusion. This is why people caught up in the heresy of tongues are almost fanatical in getting other people to speak in tongues, etc.

Dr. Paschal, "Error fanatically supported will always conquer truth indifferently supported."

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