How to Cult-Proof Your Faith

Scripture: Philippians 3:17–4:1, especially 4:1

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Introduction: A cult is a group who claim to be Christians, but aren’t. The easiest way to spot a cult is by their view of Jesus: who He is and what He did and does. If any group’s view of Jesus’ ultimate person and work does not line up with Scripture and 2,000 years of historic Christianity, then you’re looking at a cult.

I.     Know Your Enemy (Matt. 13:24–30; 7:15–16; John 8:44; 2 Cor. 11:14–15; 1 Cor. 10:20). Wheat and Tares;

A.   The Most Dangerous Enemy Is the One that Looks Like a Friend. Whether it’s a business deal or a relationship that turns deceptive, the principle holds true that we’re the most vulnerable when we let our guard down. The enemy comes well disguised (2 Cor. 11:13–15).

B.   Satan’s Goal Isn’t to Make Us Outwardly Evil; It’s to Keep Us from Christ. The self-righteous are the most likely to reject the idea that they need Jesus (Luke 18:9–13; John 8:12–59).

II.     You Must Determine Enemies or Citizens (Phil. 3:17–4:1). Paul sets apart two distinct groups that we should be aware of.

A.    Enemies Claim to Be Followers of Jesus (vv. 17–19). The enemies of Christ will certainly be destroyed in the end, and there are ways to spot and avoid them now. Paul teaches that their god is their belly. In other words, they may make their dietary laws as if they are the way to heaven. They glory in what should be to their shame, and their ultimate hope is in human systems. By raising the bar with man-made rules, the enemy keeps people from God. By turning religion into a set of rituals and rules, the enemy fills people with pride (Luke 18:9–14). – Pharisee and Tax Collector.

B.    True Followers of Jesus Are Citizens of Heaven (vv. 20–21). They trust Jesus to make them right with God. Notice the hope of those who follow Christ! They eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to make them ultimately right with God. We don’t trust our own works, our diet, or anything except the divine, resurrected Jesus Christ! Only through Christ will we be ultimately made perfect.

III.     Watch Out for Those Who:

A.    Devalue the Cross (Phil. 3:18). When Jesus said “It is finished” (John 19:30) from the Cross, we know that He atoned for our sins. Cults will often say, “Jesus plus …” as if the Cross wasn’t enough. The plus may be baptism, temple rights, special sayings, rituals, sacraments, or any number of things that make us feel righteous based on our works. We see these ideas emerge with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, with Mormons, and even sometimes in formerly orthodox churches that have fallen from the truth. If good works and added rituals could have saved us, Jesus’ death was in vain (Gal. 2:21ff).

B.    Focus More on What We Eat Than Who We Are (Phil. 3:19). Cults often present righteousness by subtraction. They often rank one’s standing with God by what he or she doesn’t do. The New Testament speaks directly to dietary laws, making it heretical to preach that righteousness comes through what we physically consume (Mark 7:1–23; 1 Tim. 4:1–5). – Ceremonial handwashing

C.    Breed an Attitude of Elitism and Pride (Phil. 3:19). Underneath almost every cult is a separatist idea that only they have the actual truth of the gospel. Mormons, for example, will tell you they (and not anyone else) have the “fullness” of the gospel. Beware of such groups.

D.    Focus on Brand New Insights and Special Teachers (1 Cor. 3:1–4; Acts 17:11; Gal. 1:6–9; Deut. 18:21–22). Insights must be gleaned through the insights of a special prophet or teacher. Whenever someone’s insight or teaching comes between you and the Bible, you very well may be in a cult or headed down a cult-like path. Biblical Christianity is built on the Bible (Acts 17:11).

IV.    Never Confuse a Victim of the Enemy with the Enemy Himself (2 Tim. 2:24–26). Our ultimate goal should be to win over the enemies of God, not to have angry debates for argument’s sake. Paul spoke of his tears over those who were enemies of God in Philippians, and here in 2 Timothy he speaks of humility, patience, and correction for the purpose of repentance and truth, that they may escape the snare of the enemy.

Conclusion: Cult-proofing our faith means devoting ourselves wholly and completely to Jesus Christ, for our only hope of righteousness is through Him.