BGEA: What is your definition of a cult?

My cousin has gotten involved with a religious group that seems to claim that they, and they alone, have the truth about God. I think it must be a cult, but how can I tell? What is your definition of a cult? — Mrs. H.D.

Whenever any group claims that they, and they alone, have all the truth about God, then an alarm bell should go off in your heart and mind. Christ alone is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6), and His followers are found within countless denominations and churches.

Cults tend to have several characteristics in common (one of which I just mentioned: They claim they alone have the truth, and everyone else is wrong). Cults also often have a strong leader who demands total and absolute obedience; some cults even require their members to cut themselves off from their families. Another characteristic of many cults is that they reject the Bible, or claim their founder's writings are also divinely inspired.

The basic mark of any cult, however, is that it rejects the divinity of Jesus. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh—that He alone was both fully man and fully God. Cults, however, deny this, and often confuse people who aren't familiar with the Bible by twisting its meaning.

Pray for your cousin, that he will realize he is on a wrong path and will turn his life over to Christ. Down inside he has a hunger for God—a hunger that can only be satisfied in a lasting way by a personal relationship with Christ. Make sure also of your own relationship with Christ, and "always be prepared to give an answer ... for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15).

5 Comments

Scott says 2.7.2013, 1:34 p.m.

Whenever any group claims that they, and they alone, have all the truth about God.... That is a very poor response since fundamentalist religious groups claim the same thing, while rejecting all other non-fundamentalist groups.

Brandon says 1.20.2013, 9:36 p.m.

I think it's very negative to alienate other religions as cults. As long as they promote Jesus as their Savior, follow in his commandments, and love those around them fully, aren't they right in saying that they have the full truth?

J.D. Wilson says 3.25.2012, 1:46 p.m.

Actually I used to belong to a group such as this. When you buy into it fully you don't want to hear what others have to say. Not friends, not family. Only Jesus could break down my walls, and He did. If someone goes this way, pray hard. He'll come.

Sharon says 9.7.2010, 4:37 p.m.

Just to let you know also some United Pentecostal churches also say their chuches are the only true churches. I use to attend one and brother Billy Graham said it right, if ones says they are the only one who holds the truth you better run from it just as I did!! This church has pulled many of my family members away from the family and I am still praying that God will intervene in this place and bring my family back to the truth of Jesus Christ for he is the only truth!

Ned says 8.4.2010, 1:07 p.m.

Billy Graham gave an excellent definition of a cult and Mormonism fits it to a big T.Whenever any group claims that they, and they alone, have all the truth about God, then an alarm bell should go off in your heart and mind. Christ alone is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6), and His followers are found within countless denominations and churches.Cults tend to have several characteristics in common (one of which I just mentioned: They claim they alone have the truth, and everyone else is wrong). Cults also often have a strong leader who demands total and absolute obedience; some cults even require their members to cut themselves off from their families. Another characteristic of many cults is that they reject the Bible, or claim their founder's writings are also divinely inspired.The basic mark of any cult, however, is that it rejects the full divinity of Jesus. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh—that He alone was both fully man and fully God. Cults, however, deny this, and often confuse people who aren't familiar with the Bible by twisting its meaning.