“Take heed lest any man deceive you,” (Mark 13:5).
It is very important that Christians are diligent about their knowledge of God and things pertaining to God. Paul said, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Lets talk about cults.
If you search for the world "cult" on Google you will find thousands of articles on such topic.
Many people understand the phenomenon of cults and the danger cults pose but thousands still don't know.
Many times a cult is disguised into a mere religious group that simply is preaching what they call "the truth". We many times are visual kind of people and get attracted by the way people dress and talk. We then think we should pay attention to their message and believe what they say. I would hear what they have to say in order to be polite but in order to believe any specific doctrinal point I would need to carefully search the Word of God.
My advice is that no matter how intellectual a person might sound, how neat and well dressed he might look we should put what he teaches to the test. Find all the information you can about such teachings. The word of God says in 1 John 4:1 "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world".
A fanatic is a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal, as in religion or politics. A fanatic person usually exclude other people possible points of view, can't change his mind and won't change the subject. We don't want to be religious fanatics but people that can listen to others and be willing to accept if we are wrong (if we are proved we are) but also having enough knowledge to identify the deceiving teachings of others.
I think is good to be willing to learn and to test even what we believe
because Matthew 6:23 says, If then the light within you is darkness, how
great is that darkness!
Is good to study the different religions and learn what they teach. That way we can be prepared to respond when someone try to convince us to believe what he believes.
Many members of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which they are been manipulated and exploited.
The following list of behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group.
Compare these patterns to the situation in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved.
This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern.
1.The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment
to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief
system, ideology, an practices as the Truth.
2. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
3. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always
wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
4. The group/leader is always right.
5. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or
receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really
acceptable or credible.
6. Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is
characterized as "persecution".
7. Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions,
an definitions without meaningful reflective thought.
8. Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil
and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal
contact is avoided.
9. DEVOTION TO CONVERT OTHERS TO THEIR GROUP AND ITS BELIEF SYSTEM:
Cults demand a strong commitment from their members. They promise
rewards for being faithful to their leaders and organization.
EX: one can be kept out of the tribulation if found doing God's work (JW).
10. Service to the church is understood as service to God. Meetings
are mandatory.
They are replaced with a new family and friends and a new view of life.
References:
http://www.annearundelcounty.com/Purity_Test_Church_or_Cult-a-723.html
http://www.gospelassemblyfree.com/facts/cultsoperate.htm
http://www.letusreason.org/culteac.htm
