Are You in a Cult?
- Kingdom Kulture
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
Last week, In a dream God spoke to me. He said that I have allowed the world to define what a church is and what a cult is. If God's ways were comprehensible to the natural, worldly person, there would have been no need for John the Baptist and Jesus to announce the Kingdom of Heaven's arrival. With Jesus' coming, a new temple was being crafted, and true worship was being elevated.
The reality is that there are many structures around the world claiming to represent God, but few truly align with God's definition of a Church. As humans, we often follow the majority's opinion instead of basing our beliefs and actions on biblical truths rather than human misconceptions. We have come to view a Church merely as a building, rather than the community of people who gather to represent God, putting the authenticity of our salvation solely on the attendance of buildings and leaving each individual off the hook.
"16 Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16 AMPC
12 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [b]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). Philippians 2:12 AMPC
Over the past two years, through numerous Bible studies and the demonstration of God's love, many individuals have traveled from distant places to worship together daily and live life alongside one another, all with the aim of sharing God's love and preaching His standards. To my surprise, we've been labeled as a cult.
Honestly, I wasn't sure what this meant. However, this was the first time in my life that I had truly surrendered everything to God, and as I observed, others were doing the same—people who were weary of superficial religion, tired of regularly attending a church building only to find that the only change was the different clothes worn each Sunday.
The reality is that, for most people, dedicating their life to God means occasionally attending a service once a week and leaving early. Yet, we question why we feel unchanged and, if we're honest, lack God's presence in our lives. We've bought into the misconception that God is pleased with just one day of service each week and a rehearsed Sunday morning performance. Then we wonder why our churches are empty and the lives of the members even emptier.
According to the Bible's definition, a church is a group of people who have completely surrendered their lives and come together with one primary goal: making more disciples.
"44 And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; 45 And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. 46 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, 47 Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]." - Acts 2:44-47 AMPC
We also see this confirmed in several of the passages written by Paul, referring to the Church as the people and not the building.
1 Paul, a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), and our brother Timothy, to Philemon our dearly beloved sharer with us in our work,2 And to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier [in the Christian warfare], and to the church [assembly that meets] in your house: Philiemon 1:1-2 AMPC
In a God-like fashion, He transitioned from fully customizing a man-made temple to employing the men He created to symbolise His temple.
19 Jesus answered them, Destroy (undo) this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again. 20 Then the Jews replied, It took forty-six years to build this temple (sanctuary), and will You raise it up in three days? 21 But He had spoken of the temple which was His body. John 2:19-21 AMPC
By participating in communion, we symbolize that, like Jesus, we have set aside our selfish ambitions to follow God's path. This act unites a family of believers through and under the blood of Jesus Christ.
19 Then He took a loaf [of bread], and when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and gave it to them saying, This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.20 And in like manner, He took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament or covenant [ratified] in My blood, which is shed (poured out) for you. Luke 22:19-20 AMPC
Honestly, it was these blasphemous accusations that drove me to delve deeper into studying God's word and seeking a greater understanding of true life as a follower of Christ. To my surprise, Jesus, the Son of God, was called Beelzebub. The religious individuals of the time were not used to someone genuinely following God instead of adhering to human traditions, and, quite frankly, they ended up killing Him for it.
51 You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always [a]actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers [were], so you [are and so you do]!52 Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered— Acts 7:51-52 AMPC
Regrettably, we are succumbing to the same familiar deception. We are permitting a government, which cannot distinguish between a man and a woman, to define what a Church should represent. Rather than taking the time to introspect and reflect, they committed an error that Jesus Himself says is unforgivable: blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy (every evil, abusive, [f]injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things) can be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit shall not and [g]cannot be forgiven.32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Spirit, the Holy One, will not be forgiven, either in this world and age or in the world and age to come. Matthew 12:31-32 AMPC
The spirit of God unites people, encouraging them to abandon their selfish ways and enabling God's spirit to foster a new way of living and thinking within them. From a biblical standpoint, a cult is a group that may appear godly but ultimately follows their flesh rather than their professed "faith." A harsh yet true reality is that most establishments are led by flesh, preaching focused on the desires of people rather than the will of God.
22 Peter took Him aside [to speak to Him privately] and began to reprimand Him, saying, “May God forbid it! This will never happen to You.” 23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on things of God, but on things of man. Matthew 16:22-23 AMPC
We must examine ourselves according to scripture and not traditions of men. Otherwise we may find ourselves on our way to hell while thinking our spots in heaven have been secured.
24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master.25 It is sufficient for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant or slave like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub [[a]master of the dwelling], how much more will they speak evil of those of His household.26 So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known. Matthew 10:24-26 AMPC
Question of the day: Do you consider yourself a member of the Church based on scripture or attendance?
