True religion is based on the revelation of God. Humans as finite beings cannot know God. Infinite God discloses Himself through His Word, Son, and the created world. However, leaders of any religion could mislead people, including the revealed religion. The Priests, Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees were the religious leaders of Judaism during the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, they were selfish, evil, and egoistic and ended in crucifying the Saviour of the world. Even today there are numerous religious leaders in various garbs who continue to be blind and lead the blind into a pit, rather than the bottomless pit. (Matthew 15:14)
Misrepresent God: Religious leaders misrepresent God but portraying imaginary aspects of God. Ignoring the attributes of God, or over-emphasizing one attribute of God, they misrepresent Him. For example, some religious leaders teach, that God cannot die, so Lord Jesus is not God. There is an over-emphasis on God’s invincibility ignoring His Holiness, love, righteousness, grace, and mercy.
Misinterpret Scripture: Some religious leaders misinterpret scripture as they misunderstand it. Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. Lord Jesus said that when God identifies Himself as God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, He is not God of the dead but of the living. (Mark 12:27)
Mislead authorities: Power-hungry religious leaders, went to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate demanding the death penalty for Lord Jesus Christ. (John 19:7) In many countries, religious leaders are against the government, demanding to implementation of religious laws instead of the constitution.
Mesmerize people: The Jewish religious leaders instigated a mob. The unthinking murderous mob, in a display of an emotional frenzy, demanded Lord Jesus be crucified. (Matthew 27:15-26)
Murder Son of God: Peter reminded the crowd in Jerusalem that they had killed Lord Jesus Christ the Author of Life, holy and righteous, instead begged for the life of a murderer Barabbas. (Acts 3:14-16)
Manipulate historical events: The religious leaders bribed the soldiers to tell the world that they were sleeping when the disciples stole the body of Lord Jesus from the tomb. (Matthew 28: 11-15)
Am I vigilant not to be misled?