ARE YOU IN A CHRISTIAN CULT – OR GROUP?

I am seeing more and more of a certain “trend” among some Christian Groups.  I have started to recognize some signs that could be defined as “cultish traits”.  I write this as a warning because a lot of us can get caught up in promoting or becoming “cultish” without ever realizing it.  Most people who are caught up in cults or following a cult leader NEVER REALIZE IT!!  There are some of these groups right here in my own community, and I want to just ask you to be more aware of what or whom you align yourself with.  The Bible tells us to “know those that labor among us” …

1 Thessalonians 5: And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

I will attempt to list simply a FEW of these traits and if you see any of these in the Group, Church, or Ministry that you are a part of or following, I would ask you to just be cautious of giving them too much influence in your life.

Characteristics of a Cult:

1. There is ONLY ONE TEACHER, Preacher, Apostle or Prophet that is allowed to teach or speak on whatever platform is being used.  It is a ONE MAN or ONE WOMAN show.
2. The TEACHER, Preacher, Apostle or PROPHET is the ONLY ONE who has this super-spiritual or super-natural KNOWLEDGE or WISDOM and all the others can or will never ACHIEVE this status.  God only speaks “REVELATIONS” to them.
3. The members are to SUBMIT or be in SUBJECTION to their TEACHER, Preacher, Apostle or PROPHET and to OBEY and DO WHAT THEY SAY without question.  This is ALL about ESTABLISHING CONTROL over you through MANIPULATION of your emotions, finances or spiritual beliefs.
4. There is ONLY ONE CURICULUUM to be used, and all others are not allowed.
5. You will NEVER be TAUGHT to EXCEL in the AREA of EDUCATION…their goal is to keep you at a lower level to keep the ARM of CONTROL over you.
6. You are NOT ALLOWED to DISAGREE or even QUESTION there teachings, or ideas.  IF or WHEN you DO QUESTION what they believe the LEADER of the GROUP will become ANGRY and DEFENSIVE.
7. You are kept ISOLATED and never allowed to go outside this church, denomination, click or group.  If you LEAVE you are immediately EXCOMMUNICATED, and “CAST OUT”, blocked and treated as an unbeliever or heretic, and NOT ALLOWED to have FELLOWSHIP or COMMUNICATION with the GROUP or Church.  You are now labeled even an “apostate” and “wicked person”. 
8. When you LEAVE you will be SHAMED or MADE FUN of by the WHOLE GROUP who is still in the Church, or Group.  You will even be SHAMED in front of THE GROUP LEADERS when EXCOMMUNICATED.
9. When you are EXCOMMUNICATED…even after years of being in the church or GROUP, you will be sent out with NOTHING or little to NOTHING….maybe not even a phone call to family to come and pick you up after they just put you and your few bags “on the curb”.
10. You are asked to FINANCIALLY SUPPORT your TEACHER, Preacher, Apostle or PROPHET…and to in no way QUESTION WHERE or HOW your financial contributions are being spent, even at the DEMISE of your OWN Financial Health or prosperity.
11. You may even be asked to RELENQUISH ALL YOUR PERSONAL POSESSIONS or FINANCES to the GROUP, Church or Leader upon entry to the church or group.
12. You may be asked to WORK for a BELOW LIVING WAGE level just so you can “earn your keep”…with the promise they will put a little away in your savings.  This again is to keep you under their arm of CONTROL.
13. You may be asked to GIVE UP your GOVERNMENT INCOME to contribute to your living expenses…or even told to give it up permanently.
14. You may be asked to DO THINGS that you KNOW GO AGAINST your NORMAL MORAL COMPASS.
15. You will be asked to OBEY a MAN MADE DOCTRINE or IDEOLOGY that DOES NOT AGREE with the HOLY BIBLE.
16. You will be asked to COMMIT SUICIDE to become a martyr for your spiritual beliefs or ideology.

I encourage you, IF you are seeing ANY of these SIGNS, or IF you are seeing MORE than one of these SIGNS, I beg you to consider creating some “DISTANCE” between you and the TEACHER, PROPHET, Apostle, Pastor, church or GROUP that is exhibiting these signs.  It is for your own spiritual, emotional and financial HEALTH and WELL BEING that you GUARD yourself against those that are out to create their own “CULT FOLLOWING”.

The words of Apostle Paul remind me here of what a TRUE “overseer’s” heart looks like even before he is ready to depart from his brethren, the elders of the church, on the next road in his journey:……

Acts 20: 24“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.  25“And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26“Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31“Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34“You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

I pray that we WATCH and PRAY as there are many that are seeking to GAIN DISCIPLES to FOLLOW THEM and NOT to FOLLOW JESUS! 

Acts 20:²⁹ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock³⁰ Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.³¹ Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

I pray that we WATCH over our minds that can be corrupted from the “SIMPLICITY that is IN CHRIST”!  I pray that we WATCH OUT for those that are PREACHING ANOTHER GOSPEL or MANIFESTING ANOTHER SPIRIT! 

2 Corinthians 11:  3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

Let us really take the time we need to get to KNOW those that LABOR among us before we completely ALIGN OURSELVES with someone or something that can come disguised as an “Angel of Light”…yet will lead us down a PATH of HURT and SPIRITUAL DEATH. 

2 Corinthians 11:  13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

I pray that we all receive the Spirit of Truth …which will LEAD and GUIDE us INTO ALL TRUTH….JESUS!!! 

John 16: 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 14: ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

HE is the ONLY ONE I want to FOLLOW and JESUS is the ONLY ONE I should be POINTING PEOPLE TO!! JESUS…HE is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE!!