When The Door Slams
There is a way that appears to be right, But in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 16:25 NIV
The belief system of the religious people share much in common with cultist. First and foremost, the belief systems of the religion are characterized by closed-minded. They are not interested in rational cognitive evaluation of the facts. The organizational structure interprets the facts to the religion/cultist, generally invoking the Bible and /or its respective founder as the ultimate source of its pronouncements.
Such belief systems are in isolation; they never shift to logical consistency. They exist in what we might describe as separate compartments in the cultist's mind, and are incapable of penetration or disruption if the individual religion/cultist is completely committed to the authority of his organization.
Secondly, religion/cultist belief systems are characterized by genuine antagonism on a personal level since the cultist almost always identifies his/her dislike of the Christian message with the messenger who holds such opposing beliefs.
The identification of opposing beliefs with the individual in the framework of antagonism leads the religion almost always to reject the individual as well as the belief, a problem closely linked with closed-minded and one that is extremely difficult to deal with in general dialogue with cultists. Almost without exception, all religion/cultic belief systems manifest a type of institutional dogmatism and a pronounced intolerance for any position but their own.
A final mark of a religious cult is the unwillingness of the leaders to let the people grow up. A true shepherd will do everything he can to bring Christian people to maturity as quickly as he can. He will seek to avoid necessary teaching, nor will he try to keep people from maturity. Many religious cults perpetuate spiritual dependence so that their followers lose the ability to make independent, rational decisions. Related Bible Texts: Mark 13:6; Galatians 1:8; 2 Peter 2:17-19.
Think about this: Cults often center around a man or woman who is trying to gain power, money, or influence from manipulating people. When someone says he has a unique insight from God or is the special one that God has anointed to reach the world, you are dealing with satanic behavior.
Renewal: Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, I am he, and will deceive many (Mark 13:5-6 NIV).
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness
Never Rest Ministries
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