Key Scripture:

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. Proverbs 25:26 NIV

Toxic: Anything containing poisonous material capable of causing sickness or even death.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 NIV

Toxic religion focuses on the external before the internal.

Toxic religion promotes spiritual pride.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector...." Luke 18:9 NIV

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His (God's) sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known...This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe...Romans 3:20-22

YOU CANNOT EARN GOD'S ACCEPTANCE BY OBSERVING THE LAW

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His (God's) sight by observing the law...Romans 3:20

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW IS TO SHOW YOU YOUR NEED FOR A SAVIOR

...no one will be declared righteous...by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:20

RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH GOD COMES BY CHRIST ALONE

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe...Romans 3:22

Jesus gave you what you did not deserve, so that you would not get what you do deserve.