The spies dared not answer Christ in the presence of the multitude, for fear of involving themselves in difficulty. They knew that He had spoken the truth. Rather than violate their traditions, they would leave a man to suffer, while they would relieve a brute because of the loss to the owner if it were neglected. Thus greater care was shown for a dumb animal than for man, who is made in the image of God. This illustrates the working of all false religions. They originate in man's desire to exalt himself above God, but they result in degrading man 287 below the brute. Every religion that wars against the sovereignty of God defrauds man of the glory which was his at the creation, and which is to be restored to him in Christ. Every false religion teaches its adherents to be careless of human needs, sufferings, and rights. The gospel places a high value upon humanity as the purchase of the blood of Christ, and it teaches a tender regard for the wants and woes of man. The Lord says, "I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." Isa. 13:12.

Spionerne vovede ikke at svare Kristus i nærværelse af skarerne for ikke at pådrage sig selv vanskeligheder. De vidste, at han havde talt sandhed. Hellere end at overtræde deres forordninger ville de lade et menneske pines, skønt de ville befri et dyr på grund af det tab, det ville volde ejeren, hvis man forsømte det. Sådan blev der vist større omsorg for et umælende dyr end for et menneske, der var skabt i Guds billede. Dette er et eksempel på alle falske religioners fremgangsmåde. De stammer fra menneskets ønske om at ophøje sig over Gud, men de ender med at nedværdige mennesket til at regnes for ringere end et dyr. Enhver religion, der strider imod Guds herredømme, berøver mennesket den herlighed, som ved skabelsen blev hans, og som vil blive givet ham tilbage ved Kristus. Enhver falsk religion lærer sine tilhængere at være ligegyldige med menneskers nød, lidelser og rettigheder. Evangeliet regner menneskeslægten for meget værdifuld, fordi den er betalt med Kristi blod, og det lærer, at man bør have kærlig omsorg for menneskers trang og ulykke. Herren siger: "En mand gør jeg sjældnere end guld og et menneske end Ofirs Guld." Es. 13,12.