The Mind: Identifying Cults
A lot times this subject is misunderstood by many including psychologists. Many often ask “how can one get caught up in a cult?” Or they’ll say it will never happen to me. Obviously there are some that standout and can be identified right away. Others not so much. There are mild and extreme types of Cults and yes there are Bible base Cults too. One sign often overlooked is the Love Bombing tactic. Members of a cult start off being loving, giving hugs, and being welcoming towards those who express interest at the very beginning. Often this love isn’t real and those who question the group’s teachings soon find this out.
Jesus said you’ll know his disciples by the love they display
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Interestingly Bible says Christ-like love should not be fake
Romans 12:9-10 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
A model often used to identify Cults is BITE. This is used to identify areas that Cults will control in their members. These areas are Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotions. The difference between the church and Cults is one teaches God’s Word but doesn’t take a person's gift of Freewill away. Bible Cults and Cults in general take their members gift of Freewill away.
B-ehavior
Examples on how Behavior is Controlled:
*They can instill that one must be dependent on their organization and must trust their understanding. They often create a feeling of fear stating that they’re the only ones who have understanding of God. If you question what they say, then you’re being disobedient.
Bible says: Better to Trust God than man
Psalms 118:8 "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans."
Bible says: Question/ test everything to see if it’s from God or not
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."
*They may modify your behavior with a rewards or punishment system
Bible says: Our love must be sincere
Romans 12:9-10 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
I-nformation
*Often cults will withhold or distort information
*Restrict use of outside materials other than their own
*Often promote the idea that no one can understand the world, the universe, or God without the cult organization/ group
Bible says: If you seek God he will reveal himself to you.
Jeremiah 33:3 "‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’"
Jesus said the truth will set you free
John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
T-hought
*They use loaded languages and clichés to stop critical thought
*Reject rational analysis, critical thought, and constructive criticism
Bible says: Question/ test everything to see if it’s from God or not
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."
Bible says: To take everything up to the knowledge of God and take every thought captive
2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
E-motion
*As mentioned love-bombing towards newcomers to make them feel special
*Use friends and family against you though shunning, manipulation, even violence
*Promote feelings of guilt, unworthiness, and shame.
Bible shows none of those things are love
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
End Note
The reason someone would fall for a Cult of any sort is the cult makes it seem like they offer a sense of belonging and acceptance. People who feel unloved or feel they don’t fit in with anyone else get drawn to these groups and often find out that it was nothing as they thought it was. Cults play a big factor on the mind since they utilized a lot of psychological and sociological manipulation techniques on their members. Remember God, and his son Jesus embody love. True followers of Christ display true and that love is seen through true love for one another not manipulation.
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