The World’s Religion: Many Paths, One Lie

The Bible tells us that the world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19). This truth is on full display in what can be called the “world religion” — a system of thought that embraces everything except the one true God revealed in Scripture. While it dresses itself in science, tolerance, spirituality, and unity, at its core it is rebellion against Christ.

The world religion has its own creation account, its own definition of good and evil, its own sacraments, and its own creed. Let us examine what it teaches and contrast it with the unchanging Word of God.

The World’s Beginning vs. God’s Beginning

The world religion preaches that the universe exploded into being 13.7 billion years ago from nothing — no Creator, only chance. It claims the earth formed about 4.5 billion years ago, and life slowly evolved through unguided processes. This story is taught with religious devotion, repeated in classrooms, museums, and media as though it were sacred scripture.

But the Bible begins differently: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Creation is not the product of accident but of divine design. God spoke, and it was so.

The world religion calls this biblical account “myth,” while demanding unquestioning faith in theories no one has witnessed. In doing so, it fulfills Romans 1:22 — “Claiming to be wise, they became fools.”

Redefining Good and Evil

The world religion takes what God calls evil and declares it good, while condemning what God calls good as evil.

Abortion is called a “right.” Sexual immorality and gender confusion are celebrated as “progress.” Pride is exalted as a virtue. Greed and materialism are dressed up as success.

At the same time, those who hold to God’s Word are accused of being hateful, intolerant, and bigoted.

Isaiah 5:20 warns: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” The world’s inversion of morality is not just confusion — it is open rebellion against the Creator.

The Religion of Tolerance

The highest virtue of world religion is not holiness, truth, or love as God defines it, but tolerance. To question or disagree is considered sinful; to call something wrong is the only wrong.

This tolerance is selective. All faiths — Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, New Age mysticism, and even atheistic philosophies — are embraced as valid “paths to God.” But the moment Christianity declares Christ as the only way, it is rejected as narrow, exclusive, and intolerant.

Jesus already told us this would happen: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

Science as Sacred Creed

The world religion elevates science to the level of a god. “Trust the science” has become a creed, even when the so-called science contradicts observable reality or denies God altogether. Evolution is preached as dogma, the Big Bang as unquestionable fact, and naturalism as the ultimate authority.

Yet true science reveals God’s glory: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). When science denies its Maker, it becomes false religion. Paul describes this in Romans 1:25 — “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.”

Humanism and the Worship of Self

Another pillar of world religion is humanism — the belief that man is inherently good and capable of shaping his own destiny without God. This is simply the old serpent’s lie repackaged: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).

We see it in motivational speeches, self-help books, and secular psychology. People are told to “look within,” to “follow their heart,” and to “manifest their reality.” But the Bible exposes the truth: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Man cannot save himself. Salvation comes only through the grace of God in Christ.

Pagan Roots in Modern Spirituality

The world religion also embraces practices borrowed directly from paganism and the occult. Yoga, mindfulness, crystals, burning sage, and horoscopes are marketed as harmless self-care. Millions participate without realizing these practices are rooted in idolatry, divination, and false worship.

God warned Israel not to adopt the spiritual customs of the nations: “Take care that you be not ensnared to follow them… You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way” (Deuteronomy 12:30–31). To bring pagan rituals into spiritual life is to invite deception and darkness.

The Lie of Many Paths

Perhaps the clearest doctrine of world religion is this: “All roads lead to God.” Whether through Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna, crystals, or self-enlightenment, all are said to be valid paths. To reject this belief is the only true heresy in the world’s eyes.

But Scripture is unshakably clear: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

The world religion embraces everything except the one truth that saves.

Unity Without Truth

The ultimate vision of world religion is peace and unity — but without Christ. Interfaith gatherings, global calls for religious harmony, and the push for a “one-world spirituality” all flow from this desire. It may sound noble, but it is the very deception Revelation warns of — a counterfeit unity that prepares the way for the Antichrist.

True unity is only possible in Christ: “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:4–6). Without truth, unity is simply a trap.

Conclusion: The One True Faith

The world’s religion is appealing because it promises freedom without holiness, spirituality without repentance, unity without truth, and hope without Christ. But in reality, it is the same lie Satan has been telling since Eden — “you don’t need God.”

As believers, we must not be deceived. We are called to stand firm in the truth, no matter how unpopular. The world says, “All religions are valid.” God says, “There is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Only in Christ is there life, forgiveness, and salvation. The world religion offers many paths, but they all lead to destruction. Jesus offers the narrow way — and it alone leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13–14).