I’ve probably watched 20-something series or episodes about cults, primarily U.S. based, most of which I’ve never heard of, and the common thread is charismatic leader claiming to have a personal connection to God, receiving revelations, and demanding unyielding loyalty to them as commanded by God. Obviously that can lead to bad outcomes. Yet in every one of these religions-based cults, they cite scripture that, to the followers, reinforces their obligation to follow and commit whatever God commands of them. And consistently, they follow, over and over and over again. I’m currently watching a Hulu series called Cult Justice, which dedicates an hour or so to different cult cases that have ended up typically in child abuse and murder, and have been successfully prosecuted. It’s a fascinating series and leaves you with more questions than answers (and a whole lot of rage over parents not protecting their children), but it did bring to mind a question that I hadn’t considered before.
Is there a scriptural firewall of sorts, where a functionally literate person who isn’t familiar with the finer points of scripture could read a passage or passages from the Bible and be reasonably certain that a religious zealot is acting in bad faith, absent obvious signs of bad faith behavior? In other words, if a preacher says God speaks directly to him and has commanded X, and X seems reasonable and not in literal conflict with scripture, even if unconventional (give up worldly possessions, put their faith above disapproving family, etc.) how does a follower protect themselves against these people when the Bible itself holds up people who today we’d deem crazy as true followers of God, canonized for all of eternity?
TL:DR, there are endless scriptures bad faith conmen can use to manipulate seekers; which scriptures protect against them?
Argh, a real and age old problem.
This deception happens to those who don’t know God’s word. Sadly, ignorance leaves one susceptible to all kinds of scams, including cultic ones.
In the OT, Jeremiah complained of this exact issue to God in Jeremiah 23. God’s response (in sum) was: 1) I’m aware of the false prophets; and 2) the proper response is to know God’s word, which is: a) in sharp contrast to the deceitful false prophets (“What has straw in common with wheat?”, v.28); and b) itself very powerful (compared to a “fire” and “hammer”, v. 29). Reader’s note: Note how this chapter contrasts “what the prophets say” v. “declares the LORD”.
23 “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.
Likewise, in the NT, Paul (as he’s departing from the Church in Ephesus) (Acts 20) warns them that after he departs “fierce wolves” (v.29) will come and the proper guard is to know “the whole counsel of God” (v.27) and God’s word (v.32, 35).
25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’â€