Cult Awareness
“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1 John 4:1)
Due to a noticeable spike in cult activity in our vicinity, the senior leadership has advised we provide notice to heighten awareness. Although it’s unnecessary to be paranoid about cults, a little awareness can go a long way in guarding against their influence.
What Is a Cult
A Christian cult is an unorthodox sect whose members embrace a doctrinal system aberrant from historic Christianity. The Bible takes doctrinal error very seriously (Galatians 1:8-9) because only healthy doctrine can promote a godly life (1 Timothy 6:3).
Red Flags to Watch For
Christian cults can be difficult to recognize because they identify as Christian and use Christian terms in their Bible studies (e.g. Trinity, gospel, “Word of God”, etc.). Moreover, if you were to join their Bible studies, you would get the impression that they are the “ideal” church—they are trained to be exceptionally friendly to newcomers and they come off as “passionate” believers. However, there are a few red flags to watch for:
Lack of connection to local churches or an accredited seminary. If someone is leading a Bible study or religious group but has no ties to local, established churches, this is a significant warning sign. They might give vague answers about their affiliations or belong to large churches without being active members. This isolation is a tactic to avoid scrutiny.
Minimal online presence. Cult members often avoid leaving a digital trail. They may lack social media profiles or have generic, impersonal ones. Reluctance to be photographed or appear on social media can also be a sign of trying to stay under the radar.
Negative talk about local churches. If a religious leader frequently criticizes local churches and pastors, promoting their group as the “true” faith while dismissing others, it’s a red flag. Legitimate religious leaders typically support the broader faith community and avoid such divisive tactics.
Focus on Secretive or Unusual Teachings. Be wary of groups that claim to have exclusive insights into the Bible, especially regarding Jesus’ parables or the Book of Revelation. If they treat the Bible as if it were filled with coded messages and suggest mainstream churches have missed these truths, it’s a tactic to create dependency and a sense of special knowledge.
What to Do If You Suspect Cult Activity
Consult Your Pastor. If you or someone you know is invited to a new Bible study or religious group, check in with a trusted pastor or church leader. They can provide guidance and help evaluate the legitimacy of the group.
Join a Local Church. Active membership and participation provide a strong support network and make individuals less vulnerable to cult recruitment. Cults like to target new believers with little church involvement or people who have been hurt by churches in the past.