There are many religious leaders, who claim to be spiritual mentors and guides in the world. Social Media has given them platforms that amplify their voices in the postmodern spiritual marketplace. With millions of followers, they present themselves as wise, godly, hope-givers, and know all spiritual secrets hidden from common people. Even the Pharisees gave such kind of image to the Jewish people. However, the Lord Jesus warned, rebuked, and condemned them. The Lord said that they were like unmarked graves, and people who walk over them without being aware become polluted. (Luke 11:44)
Unmarked graves: Walking over a grave defiles a Jewish person ceremonially. Even if they did not know that it was a grave, if they walked over, they would be unclean for seven days. (Numbers 19:16) Hence, the Jews marked the graves clearly, mostly by using whitewash. Then people would carefully avoid them.
Polluted teaching: Pharisees who were teaching the Law of Moses, interpreted it in such a way, that the followers became polluted rather than being sanctified. The disciples were cleansed by the Word, and the Lord spoke. (John 15:3) Those who listened to Pharisees were polluted which will separate them from the Holy God. In contrast, those who listen to the Lord Jesus Christ would be cleansed by His blood, and become the children of God.
Second Death: Added to the sin, is the polluted teaching that makes a person miserable and wobbles in the miry clay. The result is darkness and destruction of the soul. Hence, after death, the followers of polluted teaching will be thrown into the Lake of Fire and experience the eternal separation from God, which is called the Second Death. (Revelation 21:8)
Ignorance of truth, no excuse: The world is full of fake news, false narratives, counterfeit religions, spiritually blind leaders, and numerous cults. However, the responsibility is on each individual to discern and discover the truth. Paul writes that God’s Eternal Power and His divine attributes are self-evident in the creation, hence no excuse. (Romans 1:20)
Have I embraced the Lord Jesus Christ the Truth?