Author: editors

In Japan, we’ve had some nasty cults.  Some government sources say we have nearly 5,000.  When the Aum Shinrikyo used Sarin gas the subways on 20 March 1995.   As Jesus followers, we have seen churches go evil under destructive leadership.  These would be defined as Christian Cults.  How exactly does a church go from good to evil?  It’s completely about leadership.  Let’s talk more.

God is love. God is freedom.  God is light.  We can’t all know the details of every church, but we can certainly give you some advice on some of the things to watch for as most cults probably started out good.  What are signs of a cultish church?

1. You sense the meetings are not about seeking God and flowing with His love but more about doing some type of work of achieving aggressive goals.
2. Pastor doesn’t associate with other pastors in the area or sees other churches as threats.
3. Church projects image that they are the only true church.  (This is a big one as no one ever has a corner on God).
4. Leadership is not really accountable to some direct connections to their denomination (everyone needs correction and good counsel).  There are no spiritual fathers involved in the day to day.
5. A sense that their church is the only happening church
6. Members are not allowed to associate with former members who are committed to Jesus but decided to change churches.
7. Money becomes a big discussion point and strong emphasis is given towards pushing people to give
8. Church says that they are replacing the birth family as the ‘true’ family
9. The church operates more and more like a business than a spiritual energy recharging station.

There are many more signs that we could list up regarding a cultish church, but the best thing you can do for any church is pray.  The Holy Spirit will guide you on whether to stay there and help them get right before God, or direct you to get out and find a place with a passion for God.

Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV Strong’s Bible)If you faint in the day of adversity,

Your strength is small.

Be strong fill yourself up with the Word of God daily. There is trouble in this world. However you don’t have to let trouble in.  When it comes, blow it away by your faith. 

2 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV Strong’s Bible)? This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

If you want to establish some concept or truth based on the Word of God(the Holy Bible), you’ve got to prove it. How do you prove the Word Od God?  You do so by the Word of God. 

If you can find a concept in multiple location in the Word Of God, you’re treading into a danger zone. Have you got a truth in multiple locations of he Bible, you’re looking good!

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NKJV Strong’s Bible)So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

I will live long and strong as I live by faith. I will meet Jesus in the air.  Can’t wait to be with Him. 

2 Corinthians 5:15-18 (GWT)

He died for all people so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the man who died and was brought back to life for them.

So from now on we don’t think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don’t anymore. Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.

Don’t think from a human point of view.   Praise God!  Our relationship is restored with God through the work of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (GWT)

Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.

Walking by faith and not by sight.  It’s so easy to go by what you see.  God wants you to live by what you can’t see.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (GWT)

So if the Good News that we tell others is covered with a veil, it is hidden from those who are dying. The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. As a result, they don’t see the light of the Good News about Christ’s glory. It is Christ who is God’s image.

Don’t be blinded. See the glory of God working in your daily life!

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (GWTransl)But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom. As all of us reflect the Lord’s glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

We are to renew our minds according to Romans 12:2, but when you seek God you are assured of increase. The blinders of the world are taken away, the glory comes. praise God!