In Matthew 24:11, Jesus said that before his return, "many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." Peter repeated this warning about false prophets who would introduce destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1). And John also echoed the warning about false prophets going out into the world (1 John 4:1), warning us to test them to see if they are from God.
How do we follow John's advice to test the spirits of those who claim to come in God's name? How can we tell if what they are saying is of God or not? This article will look at a few ways we can distinguish between true and false leaders and the organizations that have grown up around them.
Technical Definition of a Cult
Before looking at the signs of cults and their leaders, it is important to define what we mean by this term. Merriam-Webster defines a cult as "a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious."
Today, common usage goes beyond this simple definition and identifies two identifying attributes of a cult. The first is that their beliefs are considered unorthodox by the church at large. And secondly, they are focused on an individual leader other than Jesus.
This article will be using this expanded two-part definition of a cult. But even that is subjective. Who defines orthodoxy? And how do we determine just when a charismatic leader replaces Jesus as the head.
Signs of A Cult
Lack of Orthodoxy
Merriam-Webster defines orthodoxy as "the quality or state of being orthodox." And it defines orthodox as "conforming to established doctrine, especially in religion." But this definition is not overly helpful since it leaves open the question of what constitutes established doctrine.
Orthodoxy can be understood as adherence to core Christian beliefs shared across major branches of Christianity—Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. While some limit orthodoxy to early ecumenical creeds, others equate it with their denomination's specific doctrines or Scriptural interpretations. A balanced view recognizes orthodoxy as the shared foundational beliefs among these traditions. Deviations from this common base of beliefs are considered unorthodox, potentially classifying a group or individual as a cult.
A Shaky Foundation
Cults can often be identified by how they handle doctrine and Scripture. True Christian faith sees the Bible as the ultimate authority, while cults deviate in three key ways:
- Selective Use of Scripture: Cults cherry-pick Bible passages to support their beliefs while ignoring the broader context. For instance, 2 Corinthians 8:9 could be misused to promote material prosperity, contradicting the broader biblical teaching.
- Elevating Other Writings: Cults often place their founder's writings on the same level as, or above, the Bible, even when these writings contradict Scripture.
- Exclusive Claims of Understanding: Cult leaders may assert that only they have recovered the "true" meaning of Scripture, alleging that its original understanding was lost or corrupted.
Primary Focus on Leadership
A key warning sign of a cult is when the leader becomes the central focus instead of Jesus. Cult leaders often draw attention to themselves, their personalities, and their own ministries, overshadowing Christ. Their followers may also prioritize the leader over Jesus, raising significant red flags.
Paul addressed similar issues in Corinth, calling out "false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:13). Unlike these false teachers, who boasted about their credentials, Paul pointed to the transformed lives of the people he had ministered to as evidence of genuine ministry (2 Corinthians 3:1-3). True leaders glorify Christ and focus on the spiritual growth of their followers, not their personal acclaim.
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:1-3).
These false teachers would brag about their credentials and qualifications. On the other hand, Paul pointed to the changed lives of the people he had touched.
Secretive and Autocratic Rule
A warning sign of unhealthy leadership is secrecy surrounding key activities, such as decisions and finances. While some confidentiality is appropriate, a lack of transparency often indicates leaders profiting at the expense of their followers. Attempts to uncover the truth may be met with exclusion and reputational attacks.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, rejected "secret and shameful ways" and emphasized openness, truth, and accountability in ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1-2). In contrast, false teachers operated with deception and secrecy, engaging in unethical practices, possibly including sexual misconduct. True leadership is marked by integrity and transparency.
Building of Monuments
I do not believe there is anything inherently wrong with having nice facilities to meet in. Facilities that glorify God enhance the worship experience and provide a place for the members to meet in fellowship, prayer, and Bible study.
But when a disproportionate amount of the energy and finances of the group is involved in building and maintaining elaborate facilities, something is amiss. Jesus' message to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22 speaks to this.
The church at Laodicea was one that proudly proclaimed its wealth and lack of any need. Yet Jesus saw them as wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
When material prosperity becomes the primary focus, a group and its leaders have wandered from God's calling to be his church.
Signs of a Cult Leader
Charismatic Personality
Cult leaders leverage their magnetic charm to build trust and admiration among followers. Their charisma allows them to establish emotional connections that make followers feel special or understood. This creates dependency, as followers begin to view the leader as indispensable to their sense of purpose or belonging. By fostering devotion, the leader subtly encourages followers to prioritize their guidance over personal judgment or external advice.
Claims of Unique Authority
Cult leaders assert that they possess exclusive insights or divine authority, positioning themselves as the sole source of truth. This tactic creates a hierarchical structure where the leader’s word is final and unquestionable. Followers are conditioned to distrust outside information or traditional authorities, reinforcing the leader’s control and isolating the group from alternative viewpoints.
Demand for Absolute Loyalty
Leaders demand unyielding allegiance, discouraging dissent and isolating followers from critical influences like family or friends. This tactic ensures that any opposition or skepticism is suppressed, keeping followers reliant on the group. Alienating individuals from their support systems makes it harder for them to leave or challenge the leader’s authority.
Control Through Fear or Manipulation
By instilling fear of punishment or promising rewards, cult leaders manipulate followers into compliance. This can include spiritual threats (e.g., loss of salvation) or emotional manipulation (e.g., withholding approval or love). Such tactics exploit followers' vulnerabilities.
Secrecy and Lack of Accountability
Cult leaders often hide their true intentions, financial dealings, and decision-making processes. This secrecy prevents scrutiny and shields them from accountability. By discouraging transparency, they can mislead followers while maintaining an image of moral or spiritual authority.
Focus on Self-Glorification
Cult leaders place themselves at the center of the group’s identity, seeking constant adoration and loyalty. They use this glorification to inflate their power and discourage followers from focusing on ideals or principles beyond the leader. This creates a cult of personality where the leader’s needs and image take precedence over the well-being of the group.
Major Differences Between Christianity and Cults
Authority of Scripture
Christians recognize the Bible as the ultimate authority for faith and practice. It is considered the inspired and inerrant Word of God. Cults, on the other hand, often diminish or distort the Bible’s authority, either adding additional sacred texts or elevating a leader’s teachings above Scripture.
Nature of Jesus Christ
The Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity, and the sole mediator between God and humanity. Cults frequently redefine or diminish Jesus, portraying Him as a prophet, a created being, or a lesser divine figure rather than fully God.
Salvation
Scripture proclaims salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Good works are a response to salvation, not the means to earn it, while cults tend to teach works-based salvation, requiring followers to adhere to specific rituals, laws, or the leader’s directives to achieve salvation or enlightenment.
Focus on Leadership
Christianity emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the head of the church, with pastors or elders serving as accountable shepherds under His authority. Cults place a human leader at the center, often claiming divine authority or exclusive revelation. Loyalty to the leader often takes precedence over loyalty to God.
Community Dynamics
The Christian church encourages fellowship and accountability, emphasizing love, humility, and service within a transparent community. Manipulation, fear, and control to isolate cult members from outside influences. Dissent is discouraged, and relationships with non-members are often severed.
Why It's Important to Understand the Signs of a Cult
Understanding the signs of a cult is vital for us to safeguard our faith against idolatry. Many political and social movements today often exploit religious language to garner support, blurring the line between faith and ideology. By recognizing cult-like behaviors, such as the elevation of political figures or systems to near-divine status, believers can remain faithful to God and avoid compromising their worship by placing undue allegiance in worldly leaders or agendas.
Cults thrive on fear, manipulation, and exclusion—tactics that contradict Christian values of love, truth, and humility. In today’s polarized environment, these divisive tendencies often infiltrate political rhetoric, threatening the unity of the Church. By identifying and rejecting cult-like behaviors, we can focus on maintaining our unity in Christ, engaging in politics with wisdom and humility while prioritizing biblical principles over partisan loyalty. This awareness also ensures that political devotion does not overshadow the Church's mission to represent Christ's kingdom on earth.
Finally, we must remain vigilant in promoting accountability in all positions of leadership. Cult leaders resist scrutiny and often seek to consolidate power unethically, creating environments of secrecy and control. Understanding these warning signs equips us to demand transparency and justice from leaders, advocating for ethical management that aligns with biblical values. In this way, believers can engage thoughtfully and faithfully in the public sphere, ensuring their witness remains centered on Christ and His teachings.
For further reading:
Why Is the Book of Revelation Used in Cults?
Why Do Cults Use God Falsely in Their Mission?
Why Are Cults Often Associated with Christianity?
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