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Cults: What To Look For
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 Christian's answer
is: God has revealed Himself "on many occasions in diverse manners" 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 doesn't say they
were guided into "much" of the truth, or "most" of the truth. The Holy Spirit,
Jesus said, would guide these men into "all the truth." That's the promise. Was
it fulfilled? Yes. We have "the faith" which was "once for all delivered unto
the saints." And let us be reminded, there is only "one faith!" (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. Here's a principle we need to stand on, and
communicate to people who might be tempted to join a cult: ONLY JESUS CHRIST
DESERVES DISCIPLES. Isn't that simple. But isn't that the absolute truth? Only
Jesus Christ deserves disciples. Our message is - 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 PRESUMPTUOUS 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 "messianic" 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 you've heard of a husband who exercises unreasonable
control over his wife; he doesn't 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 "buzz" 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 --The church is governed by Jesus Christ. Eph.
1:22,23.
Cults are characterized by deception --Jesus said, "Count the Cost." Lk.
14:27-30.
Cults use coercion --we use the gospel. Rom. 1:16.
Cults propogate human doctrine --we preach the gospel, God's truth. 1 Thess.
1:8.
Cults utilize isolation --in the Lord's church, we utilize influence. Col.
4:5,6.
Cults are known for mental suppression --in Christianity, there is mental
renewal. Rom. 12:1,2.
Cults offer an uncertain hope --Christianity offers real hope. 1 Pet. 1:3.
By Warren E. Berkley
The Final Page
From Expository Files 3.4; April 1996
