Five Signs of a Modern Cult

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In 1972, our ministry was called the One Way House (Jesus is the only way), with four brothers living upstairs and worship and Bible studies happening frequently downstairs.

One morning, while I was sleeping, there was a loud knocking at the front door. A smiling older couple stood at the door, proclaiming they had a unique Bible, that 2,000 years of theologians teaching the Trinity were wrong, and I had to commit years of door-to-door witnessing to hopefully be one of the 144,000 who would rule with Christ for eternity.

In the afternoon of that day, again loud knocking on the front door, and when I opened it I found two smiling young men who proclaimed they were elders, had unique scripture not included in the original Bible, that 2,000 years of theologians teaching the Trinity were wrong, and that I should go on a two-year mission trip to enhance my growth in Jesus.

HHHHMMMHHM. 

Some cults are obvious, involving special or new scriptures, a unique view of heaven, and “works” to attain glory! When they appear on your Ring® door camera, say through the Ring® intercom that you believe Jesus is God in the flesh, and then ask them to leave!

Other cults are more difficult to spot, more subtle, often being conservative churches or groups of churches that slowly twist the truth and seemingly flourish. The Apostle Peter writes…

… there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed (2 Peter 2:1-3).

In this passage, Peter details five descriptions of modern-day cults and their leaders:

1. Abuse of money. This adage holds true for newer cults: follow the money.
2. Secretive heresies. When someone describes a teacher as, “I’ve never heard such revelation.” Run!
3. Cloistering. When members sell homes, move near one another, and become exclusive. Beware!
4. Immorality. Pride, power, and sex! Don’t overlook subtle signs.
5. Control. Evil leaders know how to manipulate loyalty through cycles of praise and criticism.

I’ve discussed next steps with many ex-members who are/were involved with modern cults. My typical advice is, “Get out of there!” Don’t stay, even if leaders have been exposed, because often a spirit of deception still lingers in the remnants of the cultic community.  

Compassion and prayers for you if you’ve been caught in a cultic experience. Often, your experience (innocent but entwining), with you intentionally caught in the web of deceit, is made worse if the church was conservative with traditional doctrine, but ruined by an abusive leader.

Still, my advice: Leave. Seek healing. Jesus loves you, and thousands of healthy churches remain faithful and humble in seeking the Lord.

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves (Matthew 7:15, NLT).

In 1972, our ministry was called the One Way House (Jesus is the only way), with four brothers living upstairs and worship and Bible studies happening frequently downstairs.

One morning, while I was sleeping, there was a loud knocking at the front door. A smiling older couple stood at the door, proclaiming they had a unique Bible, that 2,000 years of theologians teaching the Trinity were wrong, and I had to commit years of door-to-door witnessing to hopefully be one of the 144,000 who would rule with Christ for eternity.

In the afternoon of that day, again loud knocking on the front door, and when I opened it I found two smiling young men who proclaimed they were elders, had unique scripture not included in the original Bible, that 2,000 years of theologians teaching the Trinity were wrong, and that I should go on a two-year mission trip to enhance my growth in Jesus.

HHHHMMMHHM. 

Some cults are obvious, involving special or new scriptures, a unique view of heaven, and “works” to attain glory! When they appear on your Ring® door camera, say through the Ring® intercom that you believe Jesus is God in the flesh, and then ask them to leave!

Other cults are more difficult to spot, more subtle, often being conservative churches or groups of churches that slowly twist the truth and seemingly flourish. The Apostle Peter writes…

… there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed (2 Peter 2:1-3).

In this passage, Peter details five descriptions of modern-day cults and their leaders:

1. Abuse of money. This adage holds true for newer cults: follow the money.
2. Secretive heresies. When someone describes a teacher as, “I’ve never heard such revelation.” Run!
3. Cloistering. When members sell homes, move near one another, and become exclusive. Beware!
4. Immorality. Pride, power, and sex! Don’t overlook subtle signs.
5. Control. Evil leaders know how to manipulate loyalty through cycles of praise and criticism.

I’ve discussed next steps with many ex-members who are/were involved with modern cults. My typical advice is, “Get out of there!” Don’t stay, even if leaders have been exposed, because often a spirit of deception still lingers in the remnants of the cultic community.  

Compassion and prayers for you if you’ve been caught in a cultic experience. Often, your experience (innocent but entwining), with you intentionally caught in the web of deceit, is made worse if the church was conservative with traditional doctrine, but ruined by an abusive leader.

Still, my advice: Leave. Seek healing. Jesus loves you, and thousands of healthy churches remain faithful and humble in seeking the Lord.