Toxic religions

Almost any major city of the world today is shrouded in a pallor of smog and pollution that negatively affects people’s health. When something pure becomes polluted by that which is harmful, it is said to be toxic. And that label can be applied to religion as well as a variety of other things.

The New Testament writers considered anything that is added to or removed from God’s revelation to be toxic and is to be rejected. John concludes the last book of the New Testament, saying, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life. . .” (Revelation 22:18-19, esv).

Are some religions toxic? Jesus unquestionably considered the religion of His day to be toxic. He considered what centuries of legalism had added to the law, the writings and the prophets as being toxic.

The Apostle Paul, the theologian of the New Testament, considered anything that was added to what God had revealed to be toxic. He wrote the Galatian Christians and said, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all.”

Beware of those who tell you they have a new “revelation” from God, comingling the Bible with another book, one that contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. Call it what it is – “a toxic gospel.”

God’s Son came on a mission to deliver us from toxic, corrupted religion and to give us life. Be sure that any religion that adds to the Gospel of love is toxic.

Used with permission from Guidelines International Ministries. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, send an e-mail to info@ guidelines.org. You may also visit www.guidelines.org.