Religious Myths

"Heaven helps those who help themselves." How many times have you heard people use this expression and think that they're actually quoting the Bible? Well, if you read the Bible, you will not find this quotation there. As a matter of fact, the Bible doesn't even teach this particular idea.

There are many such sayings that people use, thinking that they have received them from God, when in truth they're merely expressions that have been handed down from generation to generation. Today on our program, we're going to try to separate myth from reality. We're going to try to separate what people think the Bible teaches from what is actually written there.

So we invite you to get your Bibles out, a pencil, perhaps a piece of paper to jot down some questions, and join our group study today as we try to explode some of the more popular religious myths of our day.

Supermarket Religion

I have a pet peeve I want to share with you. My pet peeve is what I call "supermarket religion."

You know what supermarket religion is? That's when you go shopping for faith the way you go shopping at the store. You take your cart and walk down the aisles of different doctrines and teachings and say, "I like this one here... faith, that's good. Heaven? I'm into heaven. Oh, that's on special. Hell? No, no, I don't like hell. I don't like that idea. Do good to people you don't like? I'll skip that one."

That's supermarket religion.

I don't mind if someone isn't a Christian or doesn't profess to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and kind of makes up his own religion. But I do mind when someone says, "I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus," and yet doesn't do what Jesus says he should do. That's what I call supermarket religion.

The Authority of Christ (Matthew 28)

¹⁸And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

There are several important things we notice:

1. Christ has all authority.

2. We are to make disciples of all nations.

3. We are to teach them to observe everything He commanded.

Jesus said He had all authority. That gave Him the right to tell the apostles to go and make disciples of everyone. He told them how to do that–by baptizing them and then teaching them everything He had taught.

That blows out of the water the idea of supermarket religion. He says, "Teach them everything I have commanded."

Myth #1: "All You Have to Do Is Believe"

One common idea people hold is that they "just have to believe." Obviously, belief is the basis of discipleship and walking with Christ. But some think that belief alone means they don't have to obey.

Being a disciple of Christ is not just believing, though belief is the foundation. Our belief leads us to good works and obedience. There is a necessary element of repentance.

Myth #2: "God Only Cares If You're a Good Person"

Another myth is that all God really cares about is whether you're a good person–if you don't hurt anyone and live a decent life. What's wrong with that?

First, it leaves out Jesus Christ. Second, the standard of "good" differs with everyone. Who decides what good is?

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind–and to love your neighbor as yourself. If you could love perfectly all the time, you would be saved. But the problem is, we can't do it perfectly. That's why Christ had to come. God in the flesh had to forgive man of his sins because none of us can live that standard flawlessly.

Myth #3: "All Roads Lead to God"

This is one I used to believe. I even drew a mountain on the blackboard with God at the top and different roads leading upward. Isn't that comforting–"all roads lead to God"?

The idea is often called universalism. The key, people say, is sincerity. But sincerity alone isn't enough. You can be sincerely wrong.

If you have a headache and I give you what I say is aspirin, but it's actually cyanide, your sincere belief won't save you–it will kill you.

Religions contradict each other. Some say Jesus is the Son of God; others say He isn't. Some say He was a prophet; others say something entirely different. If all roads lead to God, why is the information so different and conflicting?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

- John 14:6

That leaves only one road open.

If you are a Christian, there are specific things you believe. You can't say, "I'm a Christian," and then deny Christ or reject the church, because those things are not compatible.

Myth #4: "God Is in Everything" (Pantheism)

Another idea is that God is in everything. But the Bible begins with: "In the beginning God created..." That means He was outside and apart from His creation.

God is Spirit. He is not identical with the universe.

Myth #5: "It Depends on Your Interpretation"

After showing someone a biblical point, you often hear: "Well, that's just your interpretation."

But Ephesians 4 says there is:

• One body
• One Spirit
• One hope
• One Lord
• One faith
• One baptism

There aren't multiple contradictory truths. Jesus is either Lord or He isn't. The Bible teaches one consistent message.

Myth #6: "Reading the Bible Makes You Crazy"

Some say that reading the Bible drives people crazy. But look at the Proverbs–full of wisdom and common sense. Many of the world's "common sense" sayings come straight from Scripture.

You can't get bad fruit from a good tree.

Myth #7: "Down Deep, Everyone Is Really Good"

People often say, "Down deep inside, he's really a good person."

But the Bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

History itself shows man's selfishness–wars, cheating, lying, killing. Man was created good, but he chose another way. Because of sin, our nature is inclined toward selfishness and worldliness.

Paul describes this struggle in Romans 7. He wants to do good but cannot consistently do it. He cries out, "Who will save me?" The answer: Jesus Christ.

Myth #8: "Everything Is Good in Moderation"

Some say, "Religion is good, but everything in moderation." In other words, don't get too serious about it.

But what is moderation? People spend hours on television, sports, and hobbies. If they spent even a fraction of that time on spiritual things, their lives would be different.

Myth #9: "Heaven Helps Those Who Help Themselves"

Let's dissect this one. It suggests that God only helps those who first help themselves–that God is not the initiator. But Scripture shows the opposite.

Romans 5:8 says:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- Romans 5:8

God initiated salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says:

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

- Ephesians 2:8-9

If we could save ourselves, the cross would be unnecessary.

In John 15:5, Jesus says:

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

- John 15:5

You can't save your soul. You can't even please God without faith in Christ.

Myth #10: "God Is Too Good to Send Anyone to Hell"

Some say God is too loving to send anyone to hell.

But God is just. If God does not punish injustice, He cannot be just. Just as we are subject to physical laws like gravity, we are subject to spiritual laws. When you sin, you fall under spiritual consequences.

Believing something false is dangerous for your soul. That's why it's important to separate truth from myth.

Conclusion

We've looked at several common religious myths:

• "Heaven helps those who help themselves."
• "All roads lead to God."
• "Just believe and that's enough."
• "God only cares if you're a good person."
• "Down deep, everyone is good."
• "God is too loving to judge."

Our goal has been to separate what people think the Bible teaches from what is actually written there.

We thank all of our viewers for being with us, and we hope you'll join us again as we continue to examine Scripture and explore more biblical subjects.