| CULTS, NOT THE OCCULTWhat's the
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| | are qualified to properly interpret God's
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| difference? I've heard many people attempt
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| | Word. All members are taught to consult
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| to use these two words interchangeably
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| | the organization for biblical
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| and, often, inappropriately.Quite simply,
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| | interpretation and advice on life
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| the word "occult" is derived from a Latin
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| | decisions. Should I marry so-n-so? Should
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| word (occultus) that means, basically,
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| | I quit my job? We must ask ourselves if
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| "that which is hidden." The word "cult,"
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| | individual thinking and questioning are
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| on the other hand, comes from a word which
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| | discouraged. Is there an unwillingness to
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| means "to cultivate." In other words, to
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| | dialogue and consider other viewpoints?
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| break down and train up in accordance with
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| | Perhaps you've heard (herd?) of the
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| the prescribed method. That's what this
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| | shepherding movement, most popular in the
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| article is all about.DEFINING THE
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| | 1980's. It's still around. Frankly, in
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| CULTSMany years ago, as I was devouring
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| | this movement, the flock gives the leaders
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| every spiritual thing I could get my hands
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| | all their power by asking them about every
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| on (good and bad), I wound up involved
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| | move they make.I once approached a
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| with a group that 20/20's Barbara Walters
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| | minister asking for his input on financial
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| later referred to as "the fastest growing
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| | matters, he did so with a disclaimer,
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| cult in America." The group referred to
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| | saying that he was here for spiritual
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| themselves as the Boston Church of Christ
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| | direction, not financial advice. Though he
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| and/or the Cornerstone Church of Christ.
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| | offered his opinion, he advised me to seek
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| They now refer to themselves as the
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| | an expert. That was a healthy
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| International Churches of Christ, not to
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| | response.LEGALISM.Are they teaching
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| be confused with the traditional Church of
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| | salvation based upon God's grace, or based
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| Christ. I'll spare you the many gory
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| | upon your own good deeds? Is the group
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| details but, essentially, this group was
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| | making disciples along the lines of Jesus
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| known for their unique "discipleship"
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| | and His teaching, or are they producing
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| technique - nothing short of blackmail -
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| | church-workers? A cult will teach a
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| which has resulted in quite a few
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| | works-oriented "gospel," giving its
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| lawsuits. In fact, I was one of those who
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| | members many hoops to jump through. This
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| ultimately wound up getting a lawyer who
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| | leads to a lifestyle of legalism and
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| wrote them a letter to get them to leave
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| | ushers in the Spirit of the Pharisees.
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| us alone.Afterward, one man, referred by
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| | Followers must live up to the group's
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| the group as my "discipler," called my
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| | standards in order to attain or maintain
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| home one evening, trying to make sense of
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| | their membership and hope for eternal
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| my legal action. I naively informed him
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| | life. There is an obligation to faithfully
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| that he was involved in a cult (something
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| | serve, attend meetings, studies, and
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| cultist actually expect to hear, seeing it
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| | services. As a result, there is
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| as persecution which only underscores
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| | tremendous, though often subtle, pressure
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| their purposes) that had received numerous
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| | to live up to the requirements of the
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| law suits and that he should leave the
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| | organization. An ungodly caste system is
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| group at once. He laughed at the absurdity
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| | the created between those who are "more
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| of the notion as my warning only confirmed
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| | spiritual" than others. The Spirit of
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| his convictions that he was on the right
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| | Pride is the next demonic presence that
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| team. At the end of the conversation, I
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| | waltzes in, as does the Spirits of Guilt,
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| said, "Well, I guess I'll see ya in
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| | Shame and Unworthiness as Christians
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| Heaven, huh?" He snapped back, "That's the
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| | compare themselves with one another.A
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| point, Michael...one of us isn't going!"
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| | DIFFICULT EXIT PROCESS.When salvation is
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| Since then, I have been invited to several
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| | found by way of the organization, to LEAVE
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| of that group's Bible "Studies" and wound
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| | the organization can only be considered
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| up being more than a little disruptive by
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| | the equivalent of turning one's back on
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| way of the questions I was asking that
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| | God. All former members who leave cults
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| threw off the speaker's sales pitch. No
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| | are shunned by members which often
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| converts were made on those nights, that's
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| | includes members of their own family. Many
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| for sure.Please bear in mind that these
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| | are warned that, if they leave, they're
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| were well-meaning, kind, VERY sincere
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| | going straight to Hell. Many ex-members
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| individuals. But they were deceived.
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| | are harassed by the organization even
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| Remember, they are NOT the enemy...we
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| | after they leave. As I said, in my own
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| already know who that is!A man who was
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| | case, we had to employ the services of an
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| considered by many to be the greatest
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| | attorney to get our friendly neighborhood
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| authority on the cults, the late Dr.
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| | cult to back off. Those who are shunned,
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| Walter Martin, described a cult simply as
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| | or hurt, by this negative spiritual
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| "A group of people gathered around a
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| | experience, often end up distrusting any
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| specific person's misinterpretation of the
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| | religious organization and end up feeling
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| Bible." Cults are groups that claim to be
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| | isolated, alone...shipwrecked.Life in the
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| in harmony with Christianity but deny
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| | cults is marked by fear of judgment,
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| foundational Christian doctrines such as
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| | pressure, and legalism. This is a far cry
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| the Trinity or the unique deity of Jesus
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| | from what Jesus taught us. Jesus and the
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| Christ. The group I had joined agreed with
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| | apostles said that the new life in Christ
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| most everything the traditional Church of
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| | is one of grace, love, and freedom from
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| Christ teaches except that it took James
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| | the Law. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said,
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| 5:16 too far ("Therefore, confess your
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| | "Come to me all who are weary and heavy
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| sins to each other and pray for each other
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| | laden and I will give you rest." The peace
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| so that you may be healed"). They actually
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| | and rest promised by Christ is seldom
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| had used people's confidential confessions
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| | experienced by those enslaved by the
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| as a means of blackmailing and were sued
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| | cults.First Peter 3:15 states that we must
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| for slander and defamation of character.
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| | always be "prepared to give an answer to
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| One of the signs of a cult, according to
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| | everyone who asks you to give the reason
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| James Walker of Watchman Expositor, is
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| | for the hope that you have. But do this
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| that they will multiply, divide, add or
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| | with gentleness and respect." How can we
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| subtract from basic Christian
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| | prepare? By knowing the Word of God
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| doctrine.Jesus warned us about the cults.
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| | through diligent study. We must not forget
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| In Matthew 7:15-17, he warned, "Watch out
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| | that, once we've overcome our fears, we
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| for false prophets. They come to you in
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| | must reach out to cult members, exercising
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| sheep's clothing but inwardly they are
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| | the fruits of patience and gentleness as
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| ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will
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| | we share the truth in love.DANGER!The rise
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| recognize them." Here, what Jesus was
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| | of the cults pose a serious challenge to
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| warning us was that cultists will look,
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| | the Church because they present several
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| act, and sound very much like genuine
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| | dangers to the Church and families
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| Christians. However, they are wolves in
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| | involved. Here are some of the types of
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| sheep's clothing. One can masquerade as a
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| | danger associated with cultic
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| true believer for a time, but eventually
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| | religions...SPIRITUAL DANGER.First Timothy
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| one's words, actions, and especially one's
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| | 4:1 states "...that in later times some
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| beliefs will betray them. That's why
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| | will abandon the faith and follow
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| relationship is SO critical to us as we
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| | deceiving spirits and things taught by
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| enter into spiritual involvement with
| |
| | demons." Ultimately the spirit behind all
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| others. Galatians 5:22 tells us what the
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| | lies and deception is the devil, so the
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| fruits of the Spirit - the evidence that
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| | ultimate force behind the cults is
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| the Holy Spirit resides within us - are.
| |
| | Satan.Galatians 1:8 states, "But even if
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| Just because one calls themselves
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| | we or an angel from heaven should preach a
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| Christian doesn't mean they ARE, no more
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| | gospel other that than the one we preached
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| than standing in a coffee bar makes one a
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| | to you, let him be eternally condemned."
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| Cappuccino.Why is the cult I was involved
| |
| | The false gospel of the cults cannot lead
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| with - or any other cult - growing so
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| | anyone to salvation. There are eternal
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| fast? Their growth can be attributed to
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| | consequences for false beliefs. For this
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| several key factors:1) We were warned by
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| | reason Jesus and the apostles are very
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| Jesus and the apostles that there would be
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| | harsh on false teachers.PSYCHOLOGICAL
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| days like this. In Matthew 24:23-26, Jesus
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| | DANGER.The mind-controlling techniques
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| warned that, as His return draws near,
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| | used by the cults can cause immense damage
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| there will be an increase in false
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| | mentally and emotionally. Living under the
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| prophets who will ensnare many with false
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| | pressure, guilt, and dependence on the
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| teachings. It's true. It's happening. I
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| | organization has proven to have tremendous
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| see it all the time. In 2 Peter 2:1-3,
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| | negative effects on people.DOMESTIC
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| Peter warns us that false teachers will
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| | DANGER.Individuals are taught that loyalty
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| arise from WITHIN the church. Yes, that's
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| | to the organization is equivalent to
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| happening, too. Bad, unbiblical teaching
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| | allegiance with God. Therefore, loyalty to
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| abounds!2) The growth of the cults
| |
| | the organization
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| contributes to the breakdown of the
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| | supercedes loyalty to family. Thus, if a
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| family, including Christian families AND
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| | family member begins conducting himself in
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| the universal family of God, all those who
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| | a way the organization does not approve
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| consider themselves born-again children of
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| | of, the cult will often separate the
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| God. Also, the breakdown of the family
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| | family from the individual member.
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| unit has served to fill the ranks of cults
| |
| | Isolation can be emotional or physical.
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| as people go looking for acceptance. As
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| | Numerous families have been separated as a
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| families go, so goes the Church. As the
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| | result.PHYSICAL DANGER.The teachings of
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| Church goes, so goes the nation. Like
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| | David Koresh cost the Branch Davidians
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| urban gangs, cults provide the acceptance
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| | their lives. Vernon Howell, his real name,
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| and family atmosphere longed for by many
| |
| | was an aspiring rock guitarist who became
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| who stem from broken homes. The cult
| |
| | the charismatic leader of the Branch
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| leader often winds up taking the place of
| |
| | Davidian sect, an offshoot of the Seventh
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| a father figure.3) Finally, we can
| |
| | Day Adventists. The Branch Davidians were
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| attribute the alarming rise of cults to
| |
| | an apocalyptic sect founded by Ben and
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| the failure of the Church to fulfill the
| |
| | Lois Roden in the 1930s. Howell joined the
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| Great Commission of Christ. It has been
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| | Branch Davidians in 1981 and was quickly
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| said, "The cults are the unpaid bills of
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| | in good graces with Lois, the head of the
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| the church." Cults thrive because
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| | church. She died in 1986 and Howell was
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| Christians are lacking in biblical and
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| | left in control. By 1990 he had changed
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| theological understanding, therefore, we
| |
| | his name to David Koresh and had settled
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| have very little impact on the spiritual
| |
| | with more than a hundred followers in a
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| climate of our nation. Dr. Martin stated,
| |
| | compound called Mount Carmel, ten miles
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| "The rise of the cults is directly
| |
| | outside of Waco, Texas. Federal agents
|
| proportional to the fluctuating emphasis
| |
| | from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
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| which the church has placed on the
| |
| | Firearms (BATF) and the Federal Bureau of
|
| teachings of biblical doctrine to
| |
| | Investigation (FBI) tried to execute a
|
| Christian laymen. To be sure, few pastors,
| |
| | warrant for Koresh on February 28, 1993,
|
| teachers, and evangelists defend
| |
| | part of an investigation into allegations
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| adequately their beliefs, but most of them
| |
| | of illegal weapons and child abuse. A
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| -- and most of the average Christian
| |
| | shoot-out ensued that left ten dead: four
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| laymen -- are hard put to confront and
| |
| | BATF agents and six Branch Davidians.
|
| refute a well-trained cultist of almost
| |
| | Koresh and his followers holed up in their
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| any variety." If the church engaged in
| |
| | compound and a confused state of
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| solid and in-depth Bible teaching, the
| |
| | negotiations went on for 51 days, ending
|
| Body would become better equipped and,
| |
| | on April 19, 1993 when the compound burned
|
| when we came in contact with those in
| |
| | to the ground, killing Koresh and 74
|
| bondage to a cult, we might actually help
| |
| | followers, including 21 children. Although
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| them. If this were the case, the cults
| |
| | a special investigation by the U.S.
|
| would not flourish as they do. Bible
| |
| | Justice Department exonerated the
|
| illiteracy is key.In 2 Corinthians 11:4,
| |
| | government, the debate over who started
|
| Paul warned about false teachers teaching
| |
| | the fire goes on.Hobart Freeman taught
|
| of another Jesus. A modern-day example of
| |
| | that believers did not need medicine for
|
| false teaching is Christian Science which
| |
| | illnesses, and told his followers to throw
|
| teaches that Jesus was not God incarnate
| |
| | all theirs away. As a result, he and
|
| but merely a man who displayed the
| |
| | fifty-two of his members died from curable
|
| "Christ" idea; He neither died for sins,
| |
| | conditions. He taught that after healing
|
| nor was He resurrected. I heard of a group
| |
| | is claimed, symptoms of illness or injury
|
| that called itself the Church of the
| |
| | that remain are viewed as deception from
|
| Scared Mushroom that claimed, based on
| |
| | the devil. When death occurs despite a
|
| Roman 10:9-10, that because they named
| |
| | positive confession, it is interpreted as
|
| this particular mushroom "Jesus" and
| |
| | discipline from God or a lack of faith.
|
| believed in "him," they were saved. It's
| |
| | The saddest part is that it did not stop
|
| important to learn exactly WHO the Jesus
| |
| | with Freeman. There have been over 100
|
| is that any particular group is referring
| |
| | people (members) of Freeman's Church who
|
| to. He is NOT Lucifer's brother as
| |
| | have died as a result of his teachings.
|
| Mormonism teaches nor is he the archangel
| |
| | Numerous lawsuits have been filed and
|
| Michael as Jehovah's Witnesses claim. He
| |
| | parents convicted of child abuse.This type
|
| is God in the flesh, 2nd person in the
| |
| | of thinking is the same as other cult
|
| Trinity, born of the Virgin Mary,
| |
| | leaders like Victor Paul Wierwille of The
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| etc.Oddly enough (and I've had this
| |
| | Way International who died of an illness.
|
| experience often), when we interact with
| |
| | Apparently something was wrong with his
|
| people caught up in cultic teaching, we'll
| |
| | faith, and also for Hobart Freeman, who
|
| often hear them say their group's message
| |
| | too, died of an illness that may have been
|
| is consistent with Scripture. But when we
| |
| | medically treatable.Jim Jones, founder and
|
| point out where their teachings deviate
| |
| | leader of Jonestown, Guyana, a community
|
| from the Bible, they eventually claim the
| |
| | of over 900 members of The People's Temple
|
| Bible is filled with discrepancies and has
| |
| | Full Gospel Church, an offshoot of the
|
| been corrupted by the church. When asked
| |
| | Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
|
| to show a discrepancy or two, they
| |
| | moved his congregation to Guyana to avoid
|
| generally are stumped as they were merely
| |
| | government scrutiny. In November of 1978,
|
| "parroting" and regurgitating what they
| |
| | U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan visited
|
| were taught to say.THE 3 KINDS OF
| |
| | Jonestown to investigate allegations of
|
| DOCTRINEThere are 3 types of doctrine
| |
| | human rights abuses. Ryan and his group
|
| mentioned in Scripture: Those of man, of
| |
| | were murdered at Jonestown, and on
|
| demons and of Christ/God. Whatever any of
| |
| | November 18, 1978 Jim Jones and 911 of his
|
| us is being taught by our leaders, we MUST
| |
| | followers committed suicide or were
|
| ask the question, was it derived from
| |
| | murdered. Initial reports said the members
|
| manmade traditions, was it a doctrine sown
| |
| | drank Kool-Aid laced with cyanide, but a
|
| into the group by Hell itself...or was it
| |
| | report from the Guyanese coroner said that
|
| something taught by Jesus? DARE to ask
| |
| | hundreds of the bodies showed needle
|
| these questions, my friends! Not only do
| |
| | marks, indicating foul play. The U.S.
|
| cults deviate doctrinally from biblical
| |
| | government has not released all the
|
| Christianity, but they have several
| |
| | documents pertinent to their investigation
|
| distinct sociological
| |
| | of the incident, further complicating the
|
| characteristics:AUTHORITARIANISM.Is the
| |
| | long-held conspiracy theory that Jonestown
|
| leader or organization trying to exercise
| |
| | was a mind-control experiment conducted by
|
| complete control over the follower's
| |
| | the Central Intelligence Agency. Who
|
| lives? Are the teachings of leadership
| |
| | knows?WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN TO DO?In light
|
| considered the last word or even divinely
| |
| | of the cultic threat, what are Christians
|
| inspired? Is going against the leadership
| |
| | called to do?1. We are called to study and
|
| equivalent to going against the commands
| |
| | know the Word of God. Paul writes to
|
| of God Himself? Are you ostracized or
| |
| | Timothy and all saints saying, "Do your
|
| shunned if you buck the
| |
| | best to present yourself to God as one
|
| system?ELITISM.Most cults believe they are
| |
| | approved, a workman who does not need to
|
| the true "church" and the only ones who
| |
| | be ashamed and who correctly handles the
|
| are actually saved. This is because the
| |
| | world of truth." Christians should master
|
| group believes they have new revelation or
| |
| | the Bible so that they will not be
|
| understanding that gives them superior
| |
| | deceived by any false teaching.2. Titus
|
| standing. I've been associated with no
| |
| | commands us to be able to confront and
|
| less than THREE mainline denominations and
| |
| | refute false teachers.3. In Acts 20, Paul
|
| one cult in the past quarter century and
| |
| | exhorts the leaders of the church to
|
| they ALL claimed to be "the one true
| |
| | protect their flock from the false
|
| church." Remember, the Church is NOT a
| |
| | teachers that will prey upon the sheep.
|
| building or a denomination...it's the
| |
| | Every Christian is called to know the
|
| people of God; the Body of Christ. Not
| |
| | truth so well they can confront false
|
| every part of the Body functions the same
| |
| | teaching, and protect others from it.If
|
| way, said the nose to the index
| |
| | there come any unto you, and bring not
|
| finger.ISOLATIONISM.With their elitist
| |
| | this doctrine, receive him not into your
|
| mentality, cults are convinced that those
| |
| | house, neither bid him God speed: For he
|
| who disagree with them are deceived or
| |
| | that biddeth him God speed is partaker of
|
| even under the influence of
| |
| | his evil deeds. 2 Jn 10-11The cult member
|
| the devil. Therefore, many attempt to
| |
| | has been told the same lies so many times
|
| shelter their followers from the outside
| |
| | that he believes they are true. He's been
|
| world. Physical and even psychological
| |
| | told that his group is the only one that
|
| barriers are often established. The
| |
| | has the truth. He has been told that the
|
| faithful are advised or prohibited from
| |
| | world considers his group a cult. He has
|
| communicating with outsiders who do not
| |
| | been told that disciples of Jesus had to
|
| agree with their methods.I was involved
| |
| | undergo the same persecution he does. You
|
| with a popular church of more than 2,000
| |
| | are talking to a person that thinks they
|
| members where, in an emergency meeting,
| |
| | are right.Are you considering joining a
|
| the elders gathered the staff (including
| |
| | particular religious group? In light of
|
| me, a janitor at the time) to "warn" them
| |
| | today's spiritual smorgasbord, if you're
|
| about a certain minister's perceived
| |
| | not sure if an organization is a cult, do
|
| attempt to start his own church (he held a
| |
| | these three things:1. Take a look at their
|
| house party; I was there). In that
| |
| | founder. Is that founder Jesus? Is Jesus
|
| meeting, one elder warned that "our people
| |
| | STILL considered to be that founder - the
|
| should be careful about who they
| |
| | Head - moreso than any man or
|
| fellowship with." Another elder jumped in,
| |
| | organization? If He's NOT, run, don't walk
|
| "I think we should take it a step further
| |
| | in the other direction. Does current
|
| and COMMAND them not to fellowship with
| |
| | leadership claim to be the founders of all
|
| other groups!" I couldn't sit still and
| |
| | things Christian and snub or condemn all
|
| chimed in, "You guys are starting to sound
| |
| | others? Good doesn't come out of evil.
|
| like a cult. If we were all being honest,
| |
| | Jesus said an evil tree cannot bear good
|
| this is all motivated by fear of losing
| |
| | fruit and this is true for cults.2. Who
|
| tithers...." Needless to say, nobody said
| |
| | does the group claim Jesus is? An ascended
|
| another word to me after
| |
| | Master? Lucifer's bother? A mushroom?
|
| that.CLOSED-MINDEDNESS.Closed-mindedness
| |
| | Something else?3. What do they say one
|
| and discouragement from individual
| |
| | must do to "be saved"? If it's anything
|
| thinking are other cultic characteristics.
| |
| | more than Romans 10:9-10, beware.Write me
|
| Because of their authoritarian nature, it
| |
| | and request the CULTIC CHECKLIST!
|
| is believed that only those at the helm
| |
| |
|
