Articles, Questions, & Answers

By Eddie Smith

Ever since I wrote “Breaking the Enemy‚Äôs Grip” (and, ever since Alice and I wrote “Spiritual Housecleaning”), people continually come to me with video games, New Age materials, movies, and the like, asking if I will ‚Äúcheck things out for them.‚Äù I rarely do. Why?

First, any list I could compile would be obsolete in a week. Evil, like a chameleon, continually changes colors and forms in order to deceive. In our world there are tens of thousands of false religions and cults. While many people are devoted to ancient religions, others are devoted to religions that didn’t exist six months ago.

Second, you need not depend upon my list. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, has been given to guide you into all truth. You must learn to rely on Him and on the Scriptures.

Third, on the whole, such things don’t merit having attention
drawn to them: “Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them; for the things which are done by these people in secret it is disgraceful even to speak of” (Ephesians 5:11–12, WNT).

There will be times in your walk with God when you must draw aside and pay attention to evil that’s affecting your life and your home. Nevertheless, that will be temporary, primarily to purify yourself or to prepare for warfare prayer. Otherwise, Christ alone should be your focus!

“I desire you to be truly wise as to good, but simple toward evil” (Romans 16:19, LITV) To be sure, some Christians are called of God to study these things, but they do so with His direction and according to His will.

And fourth, I’m not going to do your research for you. If you want to know more about an issue, all you need is a computer with online access. If you don’t have one, go to your local public library. Start using a search engine (like Google), and you’ll quickly find more information than you can imagine.

How to Identify a Cult

First, a cult is an individual or group that recommends or requires you to bow your knee to anyone or anything other the Lord Jesus Christ. ‚ÄúThere’s one God and only one‚Äù (1 Timothy 2:5).

Second, a cult is an individual or group that proposes any other way to God than through Jesus Christ (see John 14:6).

Third, a cult is an individual or group that suggests any other solution for your sin than the blood of Jesus. “There’s one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free” (1 Timothy 2:5–6).

Fourth, a cult is an individual or group that proposes that your eternal salvation is provided in any other way than through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (see John 11:25).

Fifth, a cult is an individual or group that recommends that you add anything (any work of your own) to Christ’s death,
Sixth, a cult is an individual or group that offers you spiritual rules or regulations other than those God clearly teaches.

“The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied
so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They’ll tell you not to eat this or that food‚Äîperfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by Christians! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God’s Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy. You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and
have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to
the followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of
Jesus” (1 Tim 4:1‚Äì6, The Message).

Seventh, a cult is an individual or group with any philosophy or activity that refers to accessing or relying on forces, spirits, powers, energies, etc. other than the Holy Spirit. Or anything that offers you spiritual enlightenment (apart
from God’s Word). God’s Word is a lamp for your feet and a light for your path (see Psalm 119:105).

Example: On a Web site promoting occult healing, I find:
“Reiki is one of the few healing modalities that is used for self healing and for the healing of others. In Reiki, students receive ‘attunements’ which empower them to do Reiki. The attunement is a spiritual process where healing energy is activated and enhanced.”
In that one sentence I notice six terms that should be red flags to anyone seeking the truth.

And eighth, a cult is an individual or group who insist on absolute loyalty to a person or a group. True men and women of God will insist that you trust God alone and totally commit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.