Don't get sucked in

What do you think of when I say the word “cult?” Secret societies? Living out in the sticks to get away from modern society? Signing over your life to another human being? Brainwashed individuals?

I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but cults are a real thing, and they are incredibly dangerous, physically and spiritually. Many cults begin with someone claiming to have “secret knowledge” that no one else has. They’ll only reveal their secret information to those who will sign up purely based on receiving the promised “secret.”

My Holman Christian Standard Bible points out that cult leaders will often preach “another Jesus.” They’re trying to capitalize on the name of Jesus, but He’s more of a mascot than an actual Messiah.

For instance, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon taught that Jesus was the second Adam, who only partially succeeded at His mission. Thus, Moon had to complete the work of Jesus. That is the height of blasphemy.

The "Reverend" Sun Myung Moon, pastor of the Unification Church, believed he was here to finish the work of Jesus.

In the words of Jesus, “I am THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” That’s John 14:6, and it doesn’t leave any room for someone else to come in and complete His work.

Hebrews 10:12 says “Jesus offered Himself as one sacrifice for sins and then took His seat forever at the right hand of God.” This signifies that the work of Jesus is done, and He is in a place of rest and authority in Heaven.

Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Science, aka Christian Science. She wrote that Jesus was a divine being who only appeared to have a physical body.

Remember the story of doubting Thomas? John 20:27-31 picks up with Jesus in the Upper Room telling Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hands into the wound in my side.” Doesn’t that sound like a physical body?

Victor Paul Wierwille, founder of The Way International, rejected the preexistence of Jesus and taught that Jesus was a man with a fallen nature, yet without sin. But Jesus Himself says, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30.

1 Timothy 3:16 says, “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Holy Spirit, seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, and was taken up to glory.”

He had a physical body.

Charles Taze Russell, the architect of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, (The Jehovah’s Witnesses), taught that the preincarnate Jesus was the archangel Michael, the first of God’s creations.

Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses, believed Jesus wasn't part of the Trinity or equal to God.

While acknowledging his divine nature, they don’t consider him a part of the Trinity or equal to God. Go back to the words of Jesus: “I and the Father are One.”

Mormonism teaches that Jesus was the first and mightiest spirit son of God and the brother of all spirits who would eventually become humans on Earth. It also teaches that the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross wasn’t able to cleanse us from all our sins (murder and adultery are exceptions).

Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many…” It doesn’t say SOME sins, does it?

Several New Age gurus espouse a Jesus who was a great world teacher for His age, but they believe that a new world teacher is about to appear. But John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

He was a little more than a “good teacher.”

What does the Bible say about people who try to change the Gospel’s message? Galatians 1:9 says, “As we have already said, so now I say again that if anyone is preaching to you a Gospel other than what you originally accepted, let them be under God’s curse.”

Deuteronomy 4:2 also adds, “Do not add to what I’ve commanded you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.”

Please read your Bible. It’s the only way you’re going to guard yourself and your family from being thrown off the narrow road to Heaven and right onto the wide road that leads to destruction. Without any Biblical knowledge, it’s easy for a leader to pull you and your family off that path by saying the “right things” and appearing “righteous.”

Read your Bible. It'll keep you on the right track.

Many of them accomplish that by invoking the name of Jesus to get you to let your guard down.

It’s worth your time and effort to dive into the Word of God. Experts say to start with the Book of John and go from there. There are a number of very good books that explain the Bible verse by verse. Give it a go.