I shared this information with my prayer Google group ladies and I believe it was a warning for someone in the group. Last time I checked there are 128 people receiving my emails. 😳 Some I don’t remember who they are and how we met. After I shared this message, couple of ladies replied back to me. One woman’s cousin died in the Christian cult with cancer and sadly she excommunicated herself from family members. Another shared that her daughter’s friend is involved with a cult-like church and now they are praying together if they should get involved to help this young lady. It’s important to get warned about Christian cults because after my research I see that it can happen to anyone with zeal for God but is biblically illiterate.

Hello ladies! Lately I have been trying to understand how good, well-meaning Christians end up in a religious cult or even becoming one. I found these short articles and a good simple chart as a warning guide. As I’ve been pondering on these things, the other night I saw Howard watching an interview of ex-cult members. I think it was by CBS. They were all from different Christian-based cults. I wasn’t watching the interview fully since I was cleaning up dinner but whatever I heard was very disturbing and I realize that if it can happen to these well-meaning people seeking God, then it can happen to anyone! Therefore, it’s important to hear from ex-cult members about their experiences and how they became deceived by charismatic leadership and wrong doctrines. It happens very gradually. From the articles I’ve read, there are very similar characteristics. There are also professional experts who research and study cults. They summarized their extensive research simply for the public and it’s helpful to be aware of the key warning signs.

– A short article about four main characteristics of a cult by a emeritus professor of sociology and expert in extremism, cults and situations of undue influence. https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/90377532
– 6 tips on identifying a cult by an expert psychologist on cults:https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-identify-a-cult-six-expert-tips/
– Here is a powerful testimony by a young adult whose small group became a Christian cult in college. If only they had better accountability to a local church community then I believe this could have been prevented. The stories were disturbing and very sad with a tragic ending for those involved. I read it twice so I can learn more from their experiences. It seemed that these well-meaning students relied too heavily on worship and prayer, and no mention of studying the Bible together. That’s a red alarm for me. https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/06/the-seven-signs-youre-in-a-cult/361400/

There are many articles, books and documentaries about cults if you want to learn more. I suggest you learn from reputable Christian authors and teachers. I am all for supernatural experiences, emotions and signs but you have to be first and foremost established on the word of God, the Bible. If you are not reading and studying the Bible daily, then anyone can be deceived. Please be careful, mindful and prayerful, and let’s use our brains, good common sense and the good relationships that God has given us for our safety and encouragement.

Good short article about the importance of unity and cooperation. If your church or ministry leader rely too much on experiences, emotions and personal stories rather than the Bible, then please be careful. Generally I also look at their spiritual fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and also if they are good listeners, learners, cooperative, team builders, encouragers and humble servant-leaders. https://www.gotquestions.org/two-better-than-one.html

1 Peter 5:8 (AMP)8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP)22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(If you need a good reminder of the biblical definition of love, please read 1 Corinthians 13.) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13&version=AMP

Colossians 2:18-19 (AMP) 18 Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about visions [he claims] he has seen [to justify his authority], puffed up [in conceit] by his unspiritual mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head [of the body, Jesus Christ], from whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows with the growth [that can come only] from God.

Also if you haven’t listened yet to Priscilla Shirer’s message to young adults in 2018, please do. Her sharing and warnings are excellent for all believers, especially the students and singles. https://youtu.be/dzkq7uV37KQ

By the way, since Howard stopped watching the Christian cult documentary after 30 minutes or so and never said anything, I’m hoping and praying that he doesn’t think I belong to one. 😅