Acts 13:1-12

We have here the beginning of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey. As they set off, they first go to Cyprus, where they run into Bar-Jesus, a false prophet and magician. Bar-Jesus does everything in his power to keep the Proconsul from hearing the Gospel, but Paul confronts him. He calls out Bar-Jesus' unrighteousness and declares a curse of blindness from the Lord on him. After this, because of the teachings of the Gospel, the Proconsul believes!

From this passage, we can see 6 Characteristics of False Religion
1) It steers people away from true religion
2) It is full of lies
3) It is of the Devil
4) It is the enemy of the Righteous
5) It makes the straight crooked

6) In the end, it will receive its just reward!

False religion isn't just from outside the church. It isn't just Muslims and Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. It can come from within- just as Bar-Jesus claimed to be a Jewish teacher and prophet. False religion will always seek to drag others down. Jesus rebuked unbelieving Jews, saying:
"In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,
'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES,
OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.' (MATT 13: 14-15 )

If you're clinging to your own goodness, or what is comfortable, just like the Pharisees, Jesus will pronounce judgment on you one day for relying on your own false religion! There is only one who can open eyes and unstop ears, the same One who sent out Paul and Barnabas. Put aside your self-made religion and believe in Jesus Christ as the one and only thing that can save your soul!