How To Make Your Own Cult (And Incur The Wrath of God)

III. The Threefold Foundation of Cults SexLies Money

IV. The Bible’s warning against false teachers and cults

But first, the audacity… How dare a person make false claims that he or she is speaking for God. The motivation is always pride. In the most severe cases, the cult leader himself has a lust to be a god himself, to control others, to be revered, worshiped, praised, gain wealth, and engage in sexual exploits. But make no mistake about it. The cult leader has help from the demonic world to foster on the innocent victims this hellish crime.

and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Acts 20:30 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. Romans 16:18

For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. II Corinthians 2:17 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds. II Corinthians 11:15

But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. Galatians 2:4 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; Ephesians 4:14

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; Philippians 3:2 If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, I Timothy 6:3-4

Will there be greater judgment for false teachers and cult leaders? "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows' houses, even while for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you shall receive greater condemnation. Matthew 23:13-14

V. The Ten Most Significant Elements in Building a Christian Cult

1. A Charismatic Psychopathic Leader A. The following fifteen characteristics of a cult leader is taken from the book Captive Hearts, Captive Minds. The authors Madeleine Tobias and Janja Lalich profile fifteen traits which they compiled from researchers Hervey Cleckley and Robert Hare.

1.Glibness / superficial charm 2.Manipulative and conning 3.Grandiose sense of self 4.Pathological lying 5.Lack of remorse, shame, or guilt

6.Shallow emotions 7.Incapacity for love 8.Need for stimulation 9.Callousness / lack of empathy 10. Poor behavioral controls / impulsive nature

11.Early behavior problems / juvenile delinquency 12.Irresponsibility / unreliability 13.Promiscuous sexual behavior / infidelity 14.Lack of realistic life plan / parasitic lifestyle 15.Criminal or entrepreneurial versatility

Wolves in sheep’s clothing "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15 "He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. John 10:12 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; Acts 20:29

B. Violation of the Third Commandment Dennis Prager interprets the third commandment as doing evil and carrying God’s name into it… “Going back to the original Hebrew, he [Prager] translates the Commandment as "do not carry the name of the Lord thy God in vain". Not "take" or "invoke" the name, but carry it, lift it up. Like a flag. Prager's interpretation is that the Commandment proscribes committing evil acts in the name of the Lord.

(The New International Version gets pretty close with their translation "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God".) With this interpretation, Prager then points the finger at those who commit acts of terror in the name of religion. He notes that while the Nazis committed murder (violating the Sixth Commandment), Islamist terrorists violate not only the Sixth but the Third (the unforgiveable) Commandment, as they not only kill people but drag G-d's name into it.”

C. A hideous evil To make up one’s own religion or cult in the name of God and harm others and lead them away from the truth is worthy of eternal damming judgment… “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:2

2. Find gullible prospects to join the cult Weak minded At a crossroads of life Vulnerable Unfulfilled needs Need for a human leader Looking for something Susceptible to mind control Uneducated in the ways of God

The Bible on one profile of a cult follower For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. II Timothy 3:6-7

Profile Weak women – Emotionally, spiritually Weighed down – Unresolved guilt Various impulses – Inability to control life, addictions, and lusts Inability to ascertain truth

Why is religion such fertile ground for evil people to abuse others? God has created us with a God- shaped vacuum (Pascal) in our most inner being. People are restless as they consciously or unconsciously search to fill it. If the true God does not fill it, then one is vulnerable and susceptible to counterfeit options.

3. Develop lies or fiction Use Biblical truth and add falsehood The bigger the lie or story the better. A sucker is born every minute They claim “special knowledge”

Attack two of the most cardinal doctrines in the Bible… 1. The trinity and deity of Christ Switch the real Jesus with “another Jesus” II Corinthians 11:4 2. Salvation by grace through faith alone Add works to grace for salvation thereby invalidating the doctrine of grace Ephesians 2:8-9

4. Come up with a front group We are a Bible study group A Management course Meditation center A world peace organization A personal development center A drug rehab center

5. Start with love bombing A new recruit is showered with love and affection which satisfies deep seated needs. This is a counterfeit of the mark of the Christian in John 13:34-35.

6. Promise them their dreams A chance to belong To fulfill one’s life purpose Do something big for God Make a difference in the world

7. Mind control Come live with us Wear these special clothes Special food Indoctrination Keep them in the dark about the truth of the leadership Questioning is forbidden Mindless obedience Teach them to spy on one another

The Bible is big on free will and choice… "And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word. I Kings 18:21

8. Sever ties with family and friends “Forsaking all” is big in many cults. Verses used out of context If friends and family don’t support the new recruit’s decision, it is best to distance oneself from them

9. Fashion enemies to fear Cults develop a persecution complex fearing: The authorities The church Family Friends The world “Us verses them”

10. Exhaustion Give the members a grueling schedule that is exhausting Physical work Sleep deprivation