The popular doctrine that every religious movement, doctrine, and practice is right disagrees with the apostle John when he wrote, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). Paul said they would come as wolves, and the Master warned that we must beware of them. This teaching from the scriptures is so different from the comforting but false teaching of many that says "attend the church of your choice" because all churches are right.
There is teaching that may be called pernicious ways or damnable heresies, and there is teaching that is called the way of truth. Sadly, many will follow the former. Notice very carefully what the inspired text says and believe it: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you (emphasis added), who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not" (2 Peter 1:20-21). We and all others must be able to discern between the holy men of God who spoke and those false teachers who brought destruction upon themselves and upon the many followers of their pernicious ways. THIS SCRIPTURE TEACHES THAT SOME ROADS DO NOT LEAD TO HEAVEN. There are many counterfeit religions. We must realize the danger of following false teaching and seriously search the scriptures for the way of truth. We must remember the above scriptures and be careful about our religious beliefs and practices, because as mentioned above, the way of truth was the right way of the Lord, but it was "evil spoken of" by false teachers.
What any of us says does not become the standard by which men are judged. Some people say that there is a right way of truth and holiness that men must find and follow if they would enter in through the gates into heaven; others say that one faith is as good as another and all religious people are right. However, neither group of men has the personal authority to make its sayings binding. What does the Bible say? This is the real question. Does our Bible teach that it does not matter what we believe since one way is as good as another? Have we carefully studied to see whether there is reason to be concerned and search for the truth? The Bible is the revelation of the will of God, and the Bible has the same truths for all who are searching with honest hearts. Is modern America getting its religious views from a careful study of the Bible? Does this matter? Why did God speak through His Son? (Heb. 1:1-4; 2:1-4).
Some may say, "Our church teaches" this or that, and then they may ask, "What does your church teach?" Even within any religious denomination we might find many conflicting religious views. Where there is conflict, there is error, and error is dangerous. Truth makes us free, and truths do not conflict. It is not enough to claim to be "of Christ", although it is very important to be "of Christ," or followers of Christ. It is reported that one religious group calls itself "The Holy Jumpers, Inc." Could this possibly be the group Christ had in mind when He said, "Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18)? A group with an unscriptural name should awaken all to the danger of following their religious practices since a name may certainly reveal that some one other than Christ is the father of their beliefs. However, having a scriptural name in itself is not enough. It is not enough to claim to be His followers. The devil is glad to have some of his own followers in the camp of the Lord. It is important to search to see what the scriptures teach (Acts 17:11,12), rather than what some church or some individual teaches.