Equipped for Battle: Discernment Against Cults

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the spiritual battle Christians face, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. The urgency in Paul's words is a call to awareness and preparedness, emphasizing that the Christian life is not without conflict. The devil's schemes, or "wiles," manifest both generally against the church and personally against individual believers.

Today, we focus on the subtle threat of cults, which are distinct from heresies, apostasy, and schisms. Cults often present themselves as Christian, using familiar terminology and offering seemingly great blessings. However, they deviate from core Christian doctrines, often originating from supposed revelations given to their founders, many of whom are women. These revelations lead to additional authorities outside the Bible, which is a hallmark of cults.

Cults often misrepresent essential doctrines, such as the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, creation, sin, and salvation. They frequently deny the deity of Christ, the reality of sin, and the necessity of the cross for salvation. Instead, they offer a counterfeit faith that bypasses the cross and the true power of prayer.

In times of crisis, such as war or personal hardship, cults thrive by offering quick solutions and comfort, making it crucial for believers to discern and stand firm in their faith. The devil, as a master of deception, uses these cults to lead believers astray. Therefore, it is vital to be grounded in the truth of Scripture and to rely on the strength and armor of God to withstand these spiritual attacks.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual Warfare Awareness: Christians must recognize the reality of spiritual warfare, as Paul emphasizes the need for the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This awareness is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. [01:03]

- Distinguishing Cults from Christianity: Cults often mimic Christianity by using familiar terms and offering attractive promises. However, they deviate from essential Christian doctrines, making it vital for believers to discern and reject these counterfeits. [16:10]

- The Danger of Additional Authorities: Cults often introduce additional authorities outside the Bible, such as revelations given to their founders. This undermines the sufficiency of Scripture and leads believers away from the truth. [27:33]

- Core Doctrinal Deviations: Cults typically err in fundamental doctrines, such as the nature of God, the deity of Christ, and the reality of sin. These deviations highlight the importance of grounding one's faith in biblical truth. [31:11]

- The Power of Prayer and the Cross: True Christianity emphasizes the power of prayer and the centrality of the cross in salvation. Cults often bypass these, offering a counterfeit faith that lacks the transformative power of the gospel. [38:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:28] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
- [01:03] - Urgency in Paul's Message
- [02:04] - General and Personal Attacks
- [03:38] - Introduction to Cults
- [05:40] - Cults vs. World Religions
- [06:14] - Definition and Examples of Cults
- [08:07] - The Danger of False Mysticism
- [11:58] - Why Cults Thrive in Crisis
- [14:44] - Common Characteristics of Cults
- [19:09] - Distinguishing Heresies from Cults
- [22:21] - Critiquing Cults: Origin and Authority
- [30:56] - Doctrinal Deviations in Cults
- [38:39] - The Role of Prayer in True Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean by "the whole armor of God," and why is it necessary for believers? [00:10]
2. How does Paul describe the nature of the spiritual battle Christians face? [00:28]
3. What are some of the general and personal attacks mentioned in the sermon that believers might face? [02:04]
4. How are cults distinguished from other world religions according to the sermon? [03:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Paul emphasize the urgency of putting on the whole armor of God, and how does this relate to the spiritual warfare Christians face today? [01:03]
2. How can believers discern between true Christian teachings and the deceptive teachings of cults? [16:10]
3. What role do additional authorities outside the Bible play in cults, and why is this dangerous for believers? [27:33]
4. How do cults typically deviate from core Christian doctrines, and what impact does this have on a believer's faith? [31:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own awareness of spiritual warfare. How can you become more conscious of the spiritual battles in your life and the need for God's armor? [01:30]
2. Have you ever encountered teachings or groups that seemed Christian but later proved otherwise? How did you discern the truth, and what steps can you take to ensure you remain grounded in biblical truth? [16:45]
3. In what ways can you strengthen your understanding of core Christian doctrines to better recognize and reject counterfeit teachings? [31:26]
4. How can you cultivate a prayer life that emphasizes the power of prayer and the centrality of the cross, avoiding the pitfalls of counterfeit faith? [38:56]
5. Think of a time when you faced a personal crisis. How did you seek comfort and guidance, and how can you ensure that you turn to God rather than quick solutions offered by cults or other deceptive teachings? [12:12]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel spiritually vulnerable. What practical steps can you take to put on the armor of God and stand firm against the devil's schemes? [42:02]
7. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with discerning true Christian teachings from cult-like influences? What role can you play in helping them stay grounded in Scripture? [13:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Christians are called to be vigilant and aware of the spiritual battles that surround them. Ephesians 6:10-13 emphasizes the need for believers to put on the whole armor of God to stand firm against the devil's schemes. This passage serves as a reminder that the Christian life involves conflict, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. The devil's schemes are both general, targeting the church as a whole, and personal, aimed at individual believers. Understanding this reality is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. [01:03]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually attacked, and how can you actively put on the armor of God to stand firm today?


Day 2: Discerning the Deception of Cults
Cults often present themselves as Christian, using familiar terminology and offering attractive promises. However, they deviate from essential Christian doctrines, making it vital for believers to discern and reject these counterfeits. Cults thrive by offering quick solutions and comfort, especially in times of crisis. They often misrepresent essential doctrines, such as the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the reality of sin. By grounding oneself in biblical truth, believers can recognize and reject these deceptive teachings. [16:10]

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1, ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify any teachings or beliefs in your life that might not align with core Christian doctrines? How can you seek clarity and truth from Scripture today?


Day 3: Guarding Against Additional Authorities
Cults often introduce additional authorities outside the Bible, such as revelations given to their founders. This undermines the sufficiency of Scripture and leads believers away from the truth. The Bible is the ultimate authority for Christians, and any teaching that contradicts or adds to it should be approached with caution. By relying on the truth of Scripture, believers can guard themselves against the deceptive teachings of cults and remain grounded in their faith. [27:33]

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." (Revelation 22:18, ESV)

Reflection: Are there any sources of authority in your life that you might be placing above Scripture? How can you reaffirm the Bible as your ultimate guide today?


Day 4: Upholding Core Doctrinal Truths
Cults typically err in fundamental doctrines, such as the nature of God, the deity of Christ, and the reality of sin. These deviations highlight the importance of grounding one's faith in biblical truth. By understanding and upholding core Christian doctrines, believers can protect themselves from being led astray by false teachings. It is essential to study and know the truth of Scripture to discern and reject any teachings that deviate from it. [31:11]

"As for you, let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father." (1 John 2:24, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of core Christian doctrines and ensure that your faith is firmly rooted in biblical truth?


Day 5: Embracing the Power of Prayer and the Cross
True Christianity emphasizes the power of prayer and the centrality of the cross in salvation. Cults often bypass these, offering a counterfeit faith that lacks the transformative power of the gospel. The cross is central to the Christian faith, representing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity. Prayer is a powerful tool for believers to connect with God and seek His guidance. By embracing these truths, believers can experience the true power and transformation that comes from a genuine relationship with God. [38:56]

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prioritize prayer and the message of the cross in your daily life to experience the transformative power of the gospel?

Quotes

We are engaged at the moment in particular in a study of the Wilds of the devil. To the apostle Paul, this was the most important matter for all Christian people, and he is anxious that they should know something about these wilds and their manifestation. You note the note of urgency in the way in which he puts it. The position is such that nothing but the whole armor of God is enough to shield us and to cover us and to enable us to withstand. [00:50:00]

There are certain big things that we have to be aware of as members of the Christian church. The church as a whole is confronted by these Wilds, but then in addition to that, individually and personally, he comes to us in different ways, and we have to be aware of that in order that we, being prepared, may be able to withstand it. [00:149:48]

Cults sound like Christianity. Of course, if they didn't, there'd be no danger, there'd be no subtlety. If they were obvious, patent, open contradictions, nobody would ever fall into the snow. But the fact is that looking at them very generally, and if you're uncritical, you will feel that they sound remarkably like Christianity. Indeed, they very often, almost generally, use Christian terms and terminology. [00:964:92]

The Devil is a master. We are discussing, you see, the Wilds of the devil. There is no power, as it were, in the universe that knows how to pack the parcel and to put on attractive paper and trimmings and adornments as the devil does. This is the essential part of the manifestation of his WS. Now, this is, of course, therefore the reason why all these are so dangerous because the fact is that they're not Christian at all. [00:1100:44]

The Cults, therefore, always recognize and are governed by an authority additional to the Bible. In the case of Christian Science, it's the book by Mrs. Eddie, "Science of Health." See, that's authoritative. It was given to her by Revelation; therefore, that's authoritative. Now, it's very difficult to handle this matter because some of them do say they believe in the Bible, and some don't. Some ignore it altogether. [00:1653:159]

If you take the Cardinal fundamental doctrines of the scriptures and test this cult or this teaching in the light of those, you will find that they are always in error and always go astray and always deny the vital truth. Now, of course, they don't all go wrong at the same place, but that really doesn't matter. That doesn't save them. There are certain absolutes, and to go wrong on any absolute is to put you outside Christianity. [00:1871:08]

Most of the Cults are not only uncertain but are definitely wrong about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of them are Unitarian. They don't believe in his full and in his unique deity. They don't really believe in the Incarnation and the Marvel of the two Natures in the one person. They're wrong about that. He's just a man, the Supreme scientist or the supreme religious genius, the great teacher. [00:1945:08]

The biblical doctrine of sin is a hallmark of the Cults always that they don't believe in sin. That's why I meant what I meant just now when I said that Cults are often preached from so-called Christian pulpits, and you'll find that men have become very popular through preaching that there's no such thing as sin and that it's been very wrong to talk about Sin. [00:2109:48]

They don't believe that the Son of God came from Heaven to Earth in order to take sin upon himself and to bear its punishment. They don't believe what Paul says, that he made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. They don't believe Peter when he adds who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree. [00:2206:04]

Lastly, you will find that it's very good to test the Cults always on the matter of prayer because they don't really believe in prayer either, and it's not surprising in view of their wrongness about the matter of sin and salvation and the blessed persons of the Holy Trinity and our whole relationship to them. It's not surprising they don't know anything about prayer. [00:2319:72]

The Apostle Paul says, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Take unto you the whole armor of God that he may be able to stand against the Wilds of the devil." All the cleverness, the subtlety of it all. The devil is an angel of Light, putting his clever, subtle counterfeit before us with the end and object of destroying our souls and robbing us of the glories of Salvation in the Son of God. [00:2528:4]

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