Christianity, Cults, and Religion
In today’s world, there are many different views toward Christianity, cults, and
religion. We have all heard of cults in whispered or very private conversations.
In the last 20 to 30 years, we have read and heard a lot more about various cults
and religions. You probably remember seeing Jehovah’s Witnesses canvassing neighborhoods
and remember seeing young men riding bicycles, dressed in white shirts, black ties,
and black slacks visiting throughout the town in which you lived. Only devil worship
was considered to be a cult and you were encouraged not to be a part of it. Cults
or religions different from true Christianity seem very foreign to those of us who
have grown up in the Church.
The world changed as some men decided to start their own kind of religions or worship.
There have been and still are those that prey on the minds and souls of the uneducated,
depressed or those looking for something in the way of a belief that better suits
their lifestyle. However, this is not always the case. There are many who are caught
up in these religions that are well educated persons. We as individuals must decide
for ourselves what we will believe and in what we will place our faith. Will we
believe the Bible as the inerrant word of God or will we follow that which someone
has decided is a more accurate kind of religion? Let’s look to the scriptures and
define some terms and words and see if we can sort out what Christianity, cults
and religions are all about.
There are several references in our Bible that will help us to not become prey of
those who would mislead or try to change our faith and beliefs. Those who believe
in the Bible and its teachings are less likely to become a cult member or a member
of the so called "religions" found in our world today. Jesus told
His disciples in Matthew 28:19, known as the Great Commission, to go and make disciples
of all the nations. Jesus is telling us here to win everyone to Him, the Christ.
He refers to the Trinity in this particular verse so that there is no mistake that
there is only one God of the universe. The Trinity is difficult to understand but
by faith we accept the fact that God is in three persons. Thereby, we as Christians
know that there is only one God and all others referred to as gods are false.
Again in Matthew 24:4-5, we read the words of Jesus, "…not to let anyone mislead
us." He tells us in verse 24:11 that "…false prophets will arise and
mislead many." In verse 24 Jesus tells us that false "Christs"
and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead,
if possible, even the elect. Unless we as Christians have a firm foundation of our
beliefs and faith we could possibly become a victim to those who spread false doctrines.
These "smooth talkers" can paint such beautiful pictures for the
unsuspecting. There are several Biblical references on this subject and we will
touch upon just a few to illustrate just what the Bible tells us to watch for as
we go about our daily lives. Discernment in making good judgment will go a long
way as we decide for ourselves the route we will follow as we live our lives. Jesus
tells us in His word what we will be faced with and He tells us how to cope with
those who would have us turn our back on what we know is the right way to live our
lives. A firm foundation is Bible based and a belief in the only one true God, named
in the Bible and found in no other book.
There are some words and terms that we need to define so that we may be better equipped
just in case we have the opportunity to share the real truth with someone else.
It could be someone without any particular belief that there is a God of the universe
or someone who is following a belief not based on the word of God. All of us have
at one time or another heard someone ask:
- What is a religion? There are a numerous definitions for religion but for
the purpose of this article we can define religion as: "Any socially
organized pattern of beliefs and practices concerning ultimate meaning that
assumes the existence of the supernatural" as defined in the Concise
Dictionary of Religion.
- What is heresy? Heresy may be defined as: "A teaching which directly
opposes certain beliefs held by an organization or for our purposes here, a
religion." It may seem to be Christian but it may become an underlying
factor meant to destroy or change the faith of a person or group.
- What is a cult? This is the most often heard of the three terms. A cult
may be defined as: "An ideological organization held together by person or
group demanding total commitment to that particular organization." In most
cases group members give up themselves and their lives to the leader or leaders
of the group in question. These are certainly the extreme cults that have come
to the forefront over the past years. There are also those cults whose practices
and beliefs are open for everyone to see and become members of these "religions".
Now that we have defined some key terms and discussed what Christianity provides
us in the way of witnessing to others who may be victims of misleading and/or deceitful
false prophets. Let’s consider some key questions that will further equip us as
we prepare ourselves to become better witnesses to those whose faith is totally
contradictory to that which is taught by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why is it important for Christians to learn about other faiths? We have
all heard people say that one religion is as good as another since we are all
going to the same place. Sunday school and Biblical teaching does not state this
fact. There are some religions that may be called "religions of convenience"
meaning that its members may do whatever they want to do, ask forgiveness, and
still go to heaven. There are those that say that a man had a certain vision
that instructed him to teach others to work and perform various tasks in order
to find their way to heaven. These other religions which are not Biblically
based and do not teach that the Holy Bible is the inerrant word of the one true
and living God are not the ticket to heaven. Yes, it is very important for
Christians to learn and be aware of the smorgasbord of so called "religions"
in the world today. If we don’t know what else is being taught, how will we be
equipped to teach others the truth about Christ?
Our present generation is no different from past generations. False doctrines, teachings,
and teachers are on every corner ready to grab the unsuspecting or unprepared. Many
of us think that we can spot a phony. However, we do not know who we are matching
wits with or who is behind the deception. Satan himself is the master deceiver.
He is smart enough to mix just enough truth in his lies to be able to draw people
into his tangled web of deception. We as Christians must be informed to the point
that we know what is happening or have enough knowledge to dig a little deeper and
sift out the truth.
Where do we get this knowledge to be able to recognize false teachings?
We should turn to God’s Word, the Bible. There are religions in the world today
that claim certain revelations were made to them by way of angels and messengers
of God. They claim that God revealed to them just what He wanted them to do and
that which He wanted them to believe. Many people today and in past times have
believed such revelations and followed these false teachings and writings. Red
flags should go up in the mind of every Christian immediately when confronted
with these kinds of revelations or any revelation contrary to what God’s Holy
Word tells us. The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 4:2,
should put to rest for all of us that there would be no further revelations from
God beyond the Bible. In this verse God’s Word specifically states, "Ye shall
not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish (ought)
from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command
you." The Book of Deuteronomy was written in 1410 BC instructing the
Israelites and other believers that nothing should be added or subtracted from
God’s written Word. Again in Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy 12:32, God says, "What
thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor
diminish from it." God is very specific in his Word in not adding or subtracting
from that written in the Holy Bible. The last book of the Bible, The Revelation
in the New Testament, contains God’s word to John, "For I testify unto every
man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add
unto these things, God shall add unto him that plagues that are written in this
book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the
holy city, and (from) the things which are written in this book." It can’t
get much plainer and more to the point than this last reference contained in the
Book of the Revelation.
We do not have to go outside our borders to find false teachings concerning God.
We don’t have to go to the far corners of the earth to find those who worship
idols or some individual who claims that he is God. We have had instances where
some men have claimed to have had divine revelations from God designating them
as a God and who have actually convinced other people to follow them and their
doctrine. Some say that Jesus was not God, that He was not raised bodily from
the dead, that He was a great prophet, but not God, and that there are many ways
to God, not just one. These false teachings about God are just a few that we
have heard many times. However, the unsuspecting or those without a firm
foundation in the faith may agree with the smooth ways of the false teachers. As
Christians we need to keep our focus on what is contained in God’s word, the
Bible. To those who say "Jesus was not God", we as Christians need only to
refer them to the book of Colossians 1:15-20, specifically verse 15 where it is
stated; "He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation,"
and further in verse 16; "For by Him all things were created, both in the
heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or
rulers or authorities---all things have been created by Him and for Him." I
invite you to read 1 Timothy 3:16, "And by common confession great is the
mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the
Spirit, Beheld by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the
world, Taken up in Glory." The preceding verse should put all doubts to rest
as to the true identity of Jesus.
There are those that say only a few will be selected to go to heaven. Others say
that we must earn our way to heaven by good works. In reality, the Bible teaches
us that we are saved by the grace of God and not by we ourselves. Salvation must
be received by faith. We must accept Jesus Christ into our hearts by faith and
then we are saved from our sins and are assured of eternal life through Jesus
Christ. The Bible states in John 3:16 that God gave His only begotten Son in
order that ALL who believe in Jesus Christ are assured eternal life and
are saved from their sins.
Even the church in some sectors has become a source of false teaching in our
society today. Many, both large and small churches have gotten away from the
true teaching of the Bible. Many of the mega churches have become entertainment
centers whose goal is to make everyone feel good about themselves. Never mind
teaching or preaching the true Gospel as taught in God’s Word. False teaching
has been practiced for over 2,000 years in the church. The broadcast media has
been and is continuing to be a vessel for spreading false doctrines.
Unwittingly, some believers have placed error on a level equal to the
Scriptures. If we, as believers, stand on a firm foundation of our belief in the
Bible we can recognize the difference between false teaching and divine truth.
We need only to remember that false teachings or statements that contradict that
which is contained in the Bible is just that, FALSE.
Our final category of false teachings concerns the future. Everyone wants to know
the future, some more than others. There are people who will consult with fortune
tellers, the occult, and all kinds of other sources to try to discern the future.
Over the years, false prophets have predicted the return of Jesus Christ only to
find that they knew nothing of His return. If anyone predicts a certain time for
Jesus to return to Earth, we as Christians know it is false. Jesus tells us the
future when He states in the New Testament that only the Father knows when He, Jesus,
will return. There is a real Satan who is determined to keep people from understanding
God’s truth about the future. Satan spreads a smoke screen of confusion hoping that
people will not understand the truth that God gives us in his Word.
Unless the future is based on the Holy Word of God, it is just plain false. Therefore,
we as Christians must be aware of and have an understanding of certain religions
that teach the future as something other than what is contained in the Bible.
The disciples of Jesus asked Him when would He return and what would be "…the
sign of your coming, and end of the age?" in Matthew 24:3. Jesus replied in
verse Matthew 24:4 when He said "See to it that no one misleads you."
Jesus warns us about false teachings of the future and those who will come in
His name and spread false information in order to deceive the believer. Jesus
states in Matthew 25:13, "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day
nor the hour" when He will return. He further tells us in His Word that only
the Father knows when Jesus will return to claim His own. In the final analysis,
only God Himself knows the future and anything taught contrary to what is
contained in the Holy Bible is totally false.
Why are people drawn into cults? How are persons whether young or old,
educated or uneducated, mature or immature drawn into cult organizations? How do
the cults recruit, convert, and hold members? What kinds of people are "victims"
of cults? Many people who are drawn into cults are those seeking "belonging"
and needing "acceptance" of others. So many times cults seem to fit a
certain lifestyle attractive to their recruits. The "packaging" is so
attractive that potential recruits cannot see past the cover. Cult leaders are
very good at deceiving. Cults are not made up of a particular type of people. So
many times we think that a cult caters to the downtrodden or uneducated. This is
not entirely the case. Many are well educated, have a position in society, and
are contributing members in our communities.
Mind washing is the key for cults to retain its members. Once this happens the
leader of the cult controls his members in every way. They almost become robots
in that they follow blindly the leader and do whatever they are told. The book
of Proverbs 27:7 sums it up by stating "A sated man loathes honey, But to a
famished man any bitter thing is sweet." While luxurious possessions may not
satisfy, to those without them even cheap things look good. Those seeking
something rather than nothing are willing to try most anything that they
perceive to be better than what they presently have.
The "something" that a person can be missing in his or her life is a
network of family and friends. It can be someone who has suffered the loss of a
loved one, a broken marriage, or in this day and time, may have lost a job.
Consequently, they are looking for something out there to fill this void that
they have just experienced. Our college students are especially vulnerable to
cult recruiting since in many cases this is the first time that they have been
away from family and friends. Homesickness can be a real problem to someone who
has always had family and friends to encourage and support them in times of
stress. The desire to find good friends to relieve isolation can distort
judgment in determining friends and companions.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses may tell the recruit that in the resurrection the
deceased may be resurrected and given the opportunity to respond to the
Watchtower message. Further, if he accepts it he will be given the opportunity
to live in a paradise earth with this loved one. However, if he rejects the
message, he will be annihilated, again. The Mormon may point out to the bereaved
that by becoming a Mormon he can baptize by proxy his deceased loved one, giving
him the opportunity to advance in the spirit world toward Mormon heaven. The
cults offer a performance-based relationship with God, or a works oriented
gospel, that gives the person something to do to help fill the void of his loss.
Many potential recruits are idealists and want to do well but have a poor
understanding of the pervasive sinfulness of man and how it can corrupt, or
weaken, even the best. The group or cult seems to exemplify such idealism. This
is false idealism and it shows itself later and often to the detriment of the
recruit. These groups are trained to convince others that they are loved and
wanted. The vulnerable see this "surface" love and support and believes
it is real. In reality, they become mind controlled by the cult or group.
When someone gives an opening to a cult recruiter they are immediately in
danger. Proverbs 14:12 tells us, "There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death." In other words, a shortcut to success may
be a false trail leading to destruction.
The most important protection against becoming entrapped into a cult is
awareness. If we have a mature grasp of the Scriptures, we can respond to the
cult recruiter in a meaningful way as opposed to having no contact or
conversation when approached by those who would have us become one of them. In
Matthew 7:12 we are warned by Christ, "Beware of the false prophets, who come
to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
How can one beware unless he is aware? Hence, we must have a mature grasp
of the Scriptures and make ourselves aware of the false teachings that have and
are still being taught by those who would have us believe something other than
the inerrant word of God.
Most cults deny the deity of Christ and that the Gospel is the true word of God.
We should know those two doctrines thoroughly. Hebrews 5:14 says, "But solid
food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to
discern good and evil." Christian maturity involves:
- Time (spent studying the Word);
- Growth in the knowledge of the
Word of God; and
- Experience in the use of the Word discerning between good and evil.
When someone you love is being recruited by a cult and you become aware of it, act
quickly. It does not take long to deceive the vulnerable. If the situation is caught
in its early stages, the remedy is effective. The odds of stopping or rescuing them
from a path of sure destruction once they have committed to a cult or group becomes
very difficult.
How can we protect ourselves and our loved ones from false prophecy and
teachings? Be vigilant and be on the alert for those who would have us
believe in doctrines that we know to be false. Paul tells us, in his letter to
the church at Thessalonica, in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, "But examine
everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form
of evil." Christians must be caring and reach out for others who could
potentially fall prey to false teachings. In 2 Timothy 2:25, Paul, in his second
letter to Timothy says, "…with gentleness correcting those who are in
opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of
the truth."
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