As you converse with people and listen to a wide variety of religious messages, there are some key characteristics or signs you can look for. Cults can be found with some or all of the following features:
Extra-Biblical Revelation. How has God revealed Himself? The ChristianΓÇÖs answer is: God has revealed Himself ΓÇ£on many occasions in diverse mannersΓÇ¥ in days gone by (Old Testament dispensations). In these last days, however, He has revealed Himself fully and finally IN JESUS CHRIST (Heb. 1:1-2). Does that mean Jesus Christ speaks to me personally; one on one? Does Jesus tell me something, then perhaps appear to you and tell you something else? NO. Jesus selected apostles, and promised them ... that through them the Holy Spirit would communicate a body of truth. You see, THE APOSTLES WERE GUIDED INTO ALL THE TRUTH, as is affirmed in John 14:26 and John 16:13. It doesnΓÇÖt say they were guided into ΓÇ£muchΓÇ¥ of the truth, or ΓÇ£mostΓÇ¥ of the truth. The Holy Spirit, Jesus said, would guide these men into ΓÇ£all the truth.ΓÇ¥ ThatΓÇÖs the promise. Was it fulfilled? Yes. We have ΓÇ£the faithΓÇ¥ which was ΓÇ£once for all delivered unto the saints.ΓÇ¥ And let us be reminded, there is only ΓÇ£one faith!ΓÇ¥ (Eph. 4:4). In the New Testament writings, we have the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25). Cult leaders usually claim extra-Biblical Revelation; we believe and we must preach the SUFFICIENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES.
Presumptuous Messianic Leadership. HereΓÇÖs a principle we need to stand on, and communicate to people who might be tempted to join a cult: ONLY JESUS CHRIST DESERVES DISCIPLES. IsnΓÇÖt that simple. But isnΓÇÖt that the absolute truth? Only Jesus Christ deserves disciples. Our message is ΓÇö Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). He alone is our High Priest (Heb. 4:14). He alone is our Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the Head (Eph. 1:22-23). Cults are characterized by PRESUMPTOUS MESSIANIC LEADERSHIP. There are examples of men who are tragic wrecks of humanity, whose psychic nature is twisted and perverted; who traffic in anxiety AND THEY CLAIM TO BE WHAT JESUS IS. Watch for this. In these cults, a ΓÇ£messianicΓÇ¥ human leader uses the power of charm, deceit and strong personality to impose his claims upon those who are ignorant of the Scriptures.
The Slavery of the Mind; no independence of thought. One mark of a cult is; the demand that you blindly accept the word of your superiors. You are not allowed to ask probing questions, or to investigate and study for yourself. There is no argument, no debate with the Messiah figure who is in charge. Cults are characterized by mental slavery; no independence of thought is permitted. Paul tells every Christian to TEST ALL THINGS, AND HOLD FAST WHAT IS GOOD, in 1 Thess. 5:21.
Denial of Privacy; regimentation. These cult leaders - it seems to be - ARE ADDICTED TO CONTROL. Maybe youΓÇÖve heard of a husband who exercises unreasonable control over his wife; he doesnΓÇÖt seem to trust her; he must control everything about her. Well, multiply that; magnify that. These cult leaders seem addicted to control; they get some kind of ΓÇ£buzzΓÇ¥ out of keeping all their followers in tight circumstances of control. In the extreme - children may be separated from parents in the commune or husbands and wives separated. Not all cults use the same methods. But this seems to be common, and was reported of the Koresh group, near Waco, Tx. before that cult (at least in that location) was destroyed.
Finally, be aware of the difference between CULTS and NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY.
Cults are governed by an Imposter ΓÇöΓÇö
The church is governed by Jesus Christ. Eph. 1:22,23.
Cults are characterized by deception ΓÇöΓÇö
Jesus said, ΓÇ£Count the Cost.ΓÇ¥ Lk. 14:27-30.
Cults use coercion ΓÇöΓÇö
we use the gospel. Rom. 1:16.
Cults propogate human doctrine ΓÇöΓÇö
we preach the gospel, GodΓÇÖs truth. 1 Thess. 1:8.
Cults utilize isolation ΓÇöΓÇö
in the LordΓÇÖs church, we utilize influence. Col. 4:5,6.
Cults are known for mental suppression ΓÇöΓÇö
in Christianity, there is mental renewal. Rom. 12:1,2.
Cults offer an uncertain hope ΓÇöΓÇö
Christianity offers real hope. 1 Pet. 1:3.
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This is the final chapter in a Bible study workbook I've
just published. The booklet is $4.00, plus postage (and
