Reaching someone who is caught up in a cult or false religion can seem like an impossible task. However, with prayer, wisdom, and gentleness, it is possible to share the true Gospel with them. Here are some tips for evangelizing to those in cults or false religions:
Pray Continually
First and foremost, we must bathe the whole process in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Only God can open blinded eyes and free someone from spiritual bondage (2 Corinthians 4:4). Pray for opportunities to share, for the right words to say, for the cult member’s heart to be open and receptive, and for other Christians to come alongside you in this work.
Have Compassion
It’s easy to be angry or judgmental toward cult members. But we must remember they are victims who have been deceived. Have compassion on them as those Jesus came to set free from slavery (Galatians 5:1). Take time to understand why they got involved in the first place – often cults will appeal to genuine human needs for meaning, community, or truth. Listen patiently to their story and motivations.
Earn the Right to Be Heard
Attempting to argue doctrine right away will not get very far. First build a genuine relationship and earn the right to be heard. Many cult members have been indoctrinated to expect persecution from outsiders. Break down those barriers first by demonstrating sincere interest in them and being a good listener. As trust builds, they will be more open to what you have to say.
Avoid Arguing
It rarely does any good to get in a doctrinal argument. The cult member is prepared with arguments to justify their beliefs. Instead, ask good questions that get them thinking critically and be patient. You may plant seeds of doubt that take time to sprout. Don’t criticize their group directly, but point them back to Scripture when appropriate (Acts 17:11).
Stick to the Essentials
Major on the majors – the essential doctrines of the Christian faith like Jesus as the only way to salvation, the belief in one God, Jesus’ incarnation, death for sin and resurrection, etc. Focus on areas where you have common ground rather than debating minor issues.
Expose False Teaching Gently
Where cult teaching clearly contradicts Scripture, point this out graciously and ask sincere questions. Avoid attacking their leaders, but note instances where leadership is unaccountable or abusive. Let the Word of God and prayer open their eyes rather than persuasive arguments (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Introduce New Relationships
People often get involved with cults through relationships – either recruitment tactics or filling a relational void. Combat this by introducing new relationships outside the cult with strong Christians who can speak truth, answer questions, and provide community not tied to the cult.
Offer Alternative Activities
Cults consume members’ whole lives with activities leaving little free time. Providing alternative activities unconnected with the cult reduces its control – like inviting them to a Bible study, service event, or dinner. It also exposes them to healthy groups.
Share Your Story
Rather than criticizing their beliefs, share your own story of encountering Jesus and how knowing Him changed your life. Talk about the assurance, meaning, freedom and relationship with God you’ve found in Christ. This indirect approach often resonates more than direct attacks on doctrine.
Persist in Patience and Love
Leaving a cult is extremely difficult and may take years. Don’t underestimate the control tactics used to keep members submitting to false teaching. Keep loving the person, answering questions, and being there for them when doubts arise or they consider leaving. God’s timing and persistence in seeking the lost is perfect (Luke 15:1-7).
Provide Resources
Share books, articles, documentaries, testimonies, or other resources that counter the cult’s teaching. Meet with former members who can share their struggles in leaving. Introduce Christian mentors, pastors, or counselors to help them work through doubts and deprogramming.
Be Ready to Give an Answer
The key is being ready to provide thoughtful, gentle, biblical answers when cult members start to question what they’ve been taught (1 Peter 3:15). Pray for and seize these opportunities. Offer to study the Bible together. Let the Spirit work while being available as a tool in God’s hands.
Trust the Results to God
As we faithfully sow the seed of God’s Word, we must trust Him for the results. Some hearts will reject the truth, while others will embrace it in God’s timing (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). We should persist in faithfulness, but only God can produce the harvest. Our job is to keep sharing truth in love.
Reaching those in spiritual captivity is challenging but worthwhile. With prayer, compassion, wisdom, patience, and reliance on Scripture rather than arguments, we can lovingly share truth with cult members. As we build relationships, ask questions, and gently expose deception, the Lord can use us to help free them from darkness.
Here are some key Bible verses on this topic:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:5-6
“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” – Ephesians 5:11-12
“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.” – Acts 17:26-27
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:2-4
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” – Mark 16:15
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.” – 1 Corinthians 9:19-20
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:5-6
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” – Mark 16:15
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” – Ephesians 4:25
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” – Titus 3:9
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” – Titus 3:1-2
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.” – 2 Timothy 2:24
“For he argues there that the book of Isaiah is speaking not of the Essenes but of the order (taxis) in Christian churches, when it says: ‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive in the womb and bear a son, and his name shall be Emmanuel, butter and honey shall he eat.’ For all call the Messiah Emmanuel, and the characteristics of the system of Christian churches are precisely butter and honey.” – Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, Ch. 43
Justin Martyr’s quote shows that early Christians used Isaiah 7:14 to argue for the divinity of Christ in contrast to Jewish interpretations of this passage. Gentleness, scripture, and focusing on Christ’s divine nature are key when dialoguing with those of other faiths.
Sharing the gospel with cult members requires much prayer, patience, and grace. But God can use loving truth-tellers to open eyes darkened by deception. We must speak wisely, build relationships, ask questions, expose falsehood, and trust the Holy Spirit to illuminate hearts with the light of Christ.