Some people seem to think that all religious leaders are good and are leading their followers to heaven. Why should that be true now when it was not true during the time of Christ? What if some present day leaders are like those among the Pharisees and Sadducees in the day of Christ? Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees had been blinded by the gods of this world, and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:14; 2 Cor. 4:3,4). In our day or in any other time, Christ would say, "Woe unto you, ye blind guides" (Matt 23:16). (If we will read this whole chapter [Matt. 23] we will see that religious leaders can be wrong.) "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). Was Christ saying here that all of us are right and that one religion is as good as another? Certainly not! He was warning of the importance of not just being "religious" but of being careful about our religion. We all need to search the scriptures daily to determine whether or not those things we hear are true (Acts 17:11,12).
"Beware," "Be not deceived," "Take Heed," "Be vigilant," "Try the spirits," "Examine yourselves," and "If you do these things," are from verses that we need to consider. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt. 7:15). These are the words of the Savior. Who is a false prophet? Is one who teaches that which is false a false prophet? Do all preachers (teachers, pastors, priests, ministers, evangelists) teach that which will lead to heaven? Why were some teachers compared to ravenous wolves? We know that wolves and sheep are not alike and it is not safe for the sheep and wolves to be in the field together. In this example stated by Jesus, we can recognize the desperate situation of our being the religious sheep being taught and led by the religious wolf. We must be able to recognize the wolf in the religious world today.
Paul, the spirit-guided apostle to the Gentiles, wrote: "I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:29-32). Was it acceptable to speak perverse things? Paul said that after his departure grievous wolves would speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them. This, in brief, is how the ancient denominations were founded. Paul tearfully warned night and day to save as many people from digression as possible, and he commended them to the word of Christ's grace, which could build them up in the most holy faith. Why would he weep if all religious movements are right in the sight of God? We and all others should realize that our adversary goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:6). To approve of the existence of all religious movements is contrary to the will of God.