Illustrating how to tell the difference between those who practice true religion and those who do not, the Bible says: “By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they?” (Matthew 7:16) Just as you can distinguish a grapevine from a thornbush by what it produces, you can distinguish true religion from false by its fruits, or by these identifying features.
True religion teaches the truth that is based on the Bible, not on human philosophies. (John 4:24;17:17) This includes religioustruths about the souland the hope of everlasting life on aparadise earth. (Psalm 37:29;Isaiah 35:5, 6;Ezekiel 18:4) It also does not hold back from exposing religious falsehood. —Matthew 15:9;23:27, 28.
True religion helps people to know God, including teaching them his name,Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18;Isaiah 42:8;John 17:3,6) It does not teach that he is incomprehensible or aloof; rather, it teaches that he wants us to have a relationship with him. —James 4:8.
True religion highlights Jesus Christ as the one through whom God grants salvation. (Acts 4:10,12) Its followersobey Jesus’ commandsand strive to follow his example. —John 13:15;15:14.
True religion focuses onGod’s Kingdomas mankind’s only hope. Its followersactively tell othersabout that Kingdom. —Matthew 10:7;24:14.
True religion promotes unselfish love. (John 13:35) It teaches respect for all ethnic groups and welcomes people from all races, cultures, languages, and backgrounds. (Acts 10:34, 35) Moved by love, its followersdo not go to war. —Micah 4:3;1 John 3:11, 12.
True religion hasno paid clergy, and it does not give high-sounding religious titles to its ministers. —Matthew 23:8-12;1 Peter 5:2, 3.
True religion is completelyneutral in political affairs. (John 17:16;18:36) However, its followers respect and obey the government where they live, in harmony with the Bible’s command: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar [representing the civil authority], but God’s things to God.”—Mark 12:17;Romans 13:1, 2.
True religion is a way of life, not just a ritual or a formality. Its followers adhere to the Bible’s high moral standards in all aspects of life. (Ephesians 5:3-5;1 John 3:18) Rather than being grim, though, theyfind joyin worshipping “the happy God.”—1 Timothy 1:11.
Those who practice true religion will be in the minority. (Matthew 7:13, 14) Those who follow the true religion are often looked down on, ridiculed, and persecuted for doing God’s will. —Matthew 5:10-12.
There is a danger in choosing a religion based solely on how it makes us feel. The Bible foretold a time when people would “surround themselves with [religious] teachers to have their ears tickled.” (2 Timothy 4:3) In contrast, the Bible encourages us to follow “the religion that is clean and undefiledfrom the standpoint of our God and Father,” even if that religion is unpopular. —James 1:27, footnote;John 15:18, 19.
