The word “cult” often carries negative connotations, conjuring images of sinister religious groups with strange beliefs and practices. However, the technical definition of a cult is simply a new religious movement or group that has splintered off from an established religion and emphasizes the teachings of a particular leader. Cults also tend to be closed, high-demand groups that use manipulative techniques to recruit and retain members. While every religion begins as a cult, not every cult becomes an established mainstream religion. So what does the Bible say about cults and how can Christians identify and respond to them?
Characteristics of Cults According to the Bible
The Bible warns about false teachers who promote heresy and division within the church. Scripture says to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and avoid teachers who promote doctrines contrary to God’s Word (Romans 16:17). Biblical cults often have some key characteristics:
- They follow a living leader over the authority of Scripture.
- They promote bizarre teachings that deviate from biblical truth.
- They claim new revelation that goes beyond the Bible.
- They use manipulative tactics to control members.
- They isolate members from family and society.
- They demand unreasonable financial commitments.
While every group that demonstrates these traits should not be immediately labeled a “cult,” many cults do display some combination of these radical beliefs and behaviors. The early Christians dealt with proto-Gnostic cults that combined Christian teaching with mysticism and bizarre mythologies (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3). The apostles condemned these teachers for leading believers astray and commanded the church to avoid their influence.
How Cults Differ from Christianity
Orthodox Christianity, as defined by the Bible alone, stands in stark contrast to cults that claim to be Christian. Here are some key differences:
- The Bible is the sole ultimate authority, not any founder or prophet (2 Timothy 3:16).
- Salvation is by grace alone through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
- Jesus is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14).
- God exists as a Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
- Christianity centers on Jesus and His finished work on the cross.
Cults may use biblical language but radically redefine core doctrines around their own leader and teachings. The emphasis is on personal enlightenment and human works rather than on salvation by grace.
How to Identify If a Group is a Cult
Based on the biblical warnings against false teachers and doctrines, here are some telltale signs that may indicate a cult:
- The group is centered around the teachings of a single living leader. Their word is absolute authority.
- The leadership makes claims of new revelation that contradict or go beyond the Bible.
- Unquestioning submission and loyalty are demanded of members.
- The group actively seeks to isolate members from outside contacts and input.
- Independent thinking and disagreement with the leadership is discouraged.
- The group uses high-pressure indoctrination techniques that may include sleep deprivation, information control, guilt manipulation, and emotional confrontation.
- Members are pressured to leave jobs, families, and relationships to focus on the cult.
- Giving large sums of money is required for membership privileges.
No single trait may clearly identify a cult, but patterns like concentrated authority, hidden agendas, isolation, and aggressive recruitment help separate unhealthy groups from authentic biblical fellowship.
Why Cults Flourish
Why are cults so spiritually destructive? Simply put, they prey upon vulnerable people seeking truth, purpose, and community. Cults exploit common human needs and desires to belong and to find meaning. The false certainty they offer can sound appealing to drifting seekers looking for spiritual anchors. Tragically, people who join cults often suffer psychological abuse, family estrangement, exploitation, excommunication if they leave, and spiritual darkness from embracing heresy.
Cults manipulate scripture and redefine faith apart from biblical truth. They satisfying fleshly desires rather than calling followers to die to self and pursue holiness (Matthew 16:24). Paul warns that fleshly desires in excess may open us up to deception:
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” (2 Timothy 4:3)
Our Defense Against Cults
How can Christians guard against cults and heretical deception? Our best defense is being thoroughly grounded in the truth of God’s Word (John 8:32). We must rely on the inner working of the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth and discernment (John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:12). Additionally, Christians have specific defenses against cult influence:
- Know biblical doctrine – don’t be swayed by extra-biblical teachings or subjective spiritual experiences.
- Rely on the Spirit’s wisdom and testing – trust God’s discernment over emotions or mystical claims. (1 John 4:1)
- Watch your heart – don’t be led astray by pride, insecurity, or unhealthy desires. (James 1:14)
- Stay in biblical community – isolated believers are most vulnerable to deception. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Pray for protection and truth – ask for God’s guarding against deception and lies. (Psalm 43:3)
While we should have compassion for those caught in cults, Christians must remain bold in proclaiming that Jesus alone is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Loving Cult Members
Cults exist because they prey upon innate human desires to find purpose, community, and meaning. While their beliefs may be profoundly misguided, many cult members are sincere seekers who have been manipulated and misled. How should Christians respond to the influence of cults?
- With prayer – Prayer for clarity and protection is a powerful defense against deception. Pray also for cult members to see the truth in Christ.
- With humility – Avoid arrogance; gentleness and respect can open doors to share the gospel.
- With love – Many cult converts come from painful backgrounds. Show them Christ’s affection.
- With truth – Speak biblical truth in love. Caution against any teaching contradicting God’s Word.
- With mercy – Remember that God’s grace reached us in our lost state. Have patience and hope.
Reaching out to cult members begins with building trust, demonstrating grace, and sincerely listening. Lovingly communicate your concerns over false doctrines while highlighting the freedom, grace, and truth found only in Christ. Avoid attacking their beliefs which may trigger a defensive response. Instead, winsomely point to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. Ultimately only God’s Spirit can shine the light of the gospel to dispel the spiritual darkness shrouding their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).
Examples of Notorious Cults
Some of the most well-known cults demonstrate the radical deception and damaging effects described above.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
This group claims to be Christian yet denies the deity of Christ and salvation by grace through faith. They claim to have the only pathway to salvation and actively recruit members door-to-door. Jehovah’s Witness theology is anti-Trinitarian and legalistic.
Mormonism (LDS)
This quickly growing cult adds new doctrines and prophets to the Bible. Mormons teach God was once a man who earned his divinity and humans can also become gods. Salvation to heaven comes through works and LDS rituals.
Unification Church (“Moonies”)
Followers called Moonies worship the late Korean founder Sun Myung Moon and his wife as the Messiah and Eve. This cult is known for mass weddings and its unusual interpretation of Scripture.
Branch Davidians
This violent apocalyptic cult ended in a deadly 1993 standoff with federal agents that resulted in more than 80 deaths. David Koresh was its charismatic leader who took child brides and stockpiled weapons.
Heaven’s Gate
This strange UFO religion committed mass suicide in 1997 based on leader Marshall Applewhite’s teachings. Members hoped their souls could hitch a ride on a spaceship following the Hale-Bopp comet.
Aum Shinrikyo
This Japanese doomsday cult carried out a deadly 1995 sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. Its former leader has been sentenced to execution for the atrocities that killed 13 people.
These few examples demonstrate how dangerous cults can become when they follow radical, controlling, and unbiblical beliefs. The tragedies of cult influence underscore why Christians must be vigilant in staying grounded in scriptural truth.
Looking to Christ
Cults exist because the human heart is prone to wander and be led astray. We all need a perfect Savior. At the cross, Jesus said “it is finished” (John 19:30). His atoning sacrifice for sins is complete. There is no need for the extensive requirements and twisted doctrines of cults. The way of the cross is foolishness and stumbling to the cults (1 Corinthians 1:23), but it is salvation to all who humbly repent and put their faith in Jesus.
May all Christians rejoice in the gospel of grace, grow in discernment, avoid deception, and faithfully proclaim that Jesus Christ alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). There is no other name under heaven by which we are saved (Acts 4:12).