Salvation and Eschatology

10 Characteristics of a Cult Masquerading as a Church

10 Characteristics of a Cult Masquerading as a Church

This is a follow-up to our last article on Deception in the Church: Cults and False Prophets Masquerading as Christian Ministries. Based on our experience, here are ten signs to help you identify a cult that is masquerading as a church. In this article, our focus is not on the cult of personalities, such as when people enthusiastically and blindly follow a political leader, but specifically on religious cults that claim to preach the gospel. 1. The Pastor / Ministry Leader is Always Right and is Above the Law If your Church pastor or ministry leader is always claiming to be right,...Read more
Deception in the Church: Cults and False Prophets Masquerading as Christian Ministries

Deception in the Church: Cults and False Prophets Masquerading as Christian Ministries

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” (Matthew 24:23-24). “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16a) When you hear of “cult”, what is the first picture that comes to mind? Is it an image of some “ignorant” people idolizing their charismatic spiritual leader or...Read more
A Little Yeast Works Through the Whole Batch of Dough

A Little Yeast Works Through the Whole Batch of Dough

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the One who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty” (Galatians 5:7-10 NIV). “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” implies is that a very small amount of yeast is able to work through and...Read more
False Prophets, False Predictions, False Visions, and False Hopes

False Prophets, False Predictions, False Visions, and False Hopes

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:16 NIV) Previously we shared a message on “Beware of False Prophets, False Prophecies, and False Visions”. This week are impressed to share some more on the subject. A few years ago, and especially around 2011 and 2012, there was a dramatic increase in self-declared prophets and dreamers who shared “supernatural” visions and dreams predicting “woes” that would befall the world...Read more
A Discerning Heart and Testing of Spirits

A Discerning Heart and Testing of Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1 NKJV). 1 Kings 13 tells us a rather sad story of an individual referred to as a “man of God” who was sent from Judah by the Lord to Bethel prophesy against King Jeroboam of Israel. The man of God was given a three-fold command by the Lord: not to accept any food, not to accept any drink, and not to return by the same way. When the king tempted the man...Read more
Spiritual Abuse in the Church – Part 2: Breaking Free

Spiritual Abuse in the Church – Part 2: Breaking Free

“Then Jesus said…, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”” (John 8:31-32 NIV). Last week in our message on  Spiritual Abuse in the Church – Part 1, we shared a few examples of spiritual abuse in the Church, along with several signs or symptoms that characterize spiritual abuse in the Church and Christian Ministries. In this week’s article, we will discuss the consequences of spiritual abuse, attempt to answer the question on whether God is to blame when you experience spiritual abuse, and...Read more
Spiritual Abuse in the Church – Part 1

Spiritual Abuse in the Church – Part 1

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-29 NKJV) Have you ever read an article or listened to messages where...Read more
Beware of False Prophets, False Prophecies, and False Visions!

Beware of False Prophets, False Prophecies, and False Visions!

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). Have you been troubled or puzzled by the proliferation of “new prophecies” and “new revelations and teachings” on TV, Internet websites, or social media, many which are touted as “true” visions, dreams, prophecies, and messages from Jesus Christ? While in the past false prophets had to go to great lengths to publicize their messages, today’s advances in technology allow anyone to effortlessly craft their messages, whether true or false, and at the click of a button the message will be “shared”...Read more
Worthless Religion

Worthless Religion

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless (James 1:26 ESV). In last week’s article, Resolving Conflicts and Overcoming Strife – Part 2, we mentioned that one of the biggest conflicts we see happening in the church is when a pastor or someone you respect speaks something false about you. The lies could cripple your faith, enslave you, cause you to argue with men, hurt and wound your heart, or even cause you to fall away from the faith. But praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ...Read more