What Does the Bible Say About Organized Religion?

1 John 2:26-27 ESV / 24 helpful votes

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Revelation 18:2-5 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

John 13:35 ESV / 10 helpful votes

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Ephesians 4:1-16 ESV / 9 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

1 John 3:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

James 1:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

John 14:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

James 1:27 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Psalm 118:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

1 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Galatians 5:22-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Acts 17:23-28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, ...

John 10:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 8:32 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Luke 15:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

1 Kings 12:26-33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. ...

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. ...

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Colossians 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But all things should be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Acts 26:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 15:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 14:28-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Habakkuk 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. ...

Proverbs 27:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,

Psalm 37:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

1 Chronicles 6:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order.

44 Bible Verses about Organized Religion

1 John 2:26-27 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 18:2-5 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 13:35 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:1-16 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:27 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 118:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:23-28 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:32 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Kings 12:26-33 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 26:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 14:28-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Habakkuk 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 37:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Chronicles 6:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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