True Moves of God

Many people do not recognize when a church or religious movement has taken on the traits of a religious cult.  It’s hard to look honestly at a movement where the leader is someone you admire, has helped you through a dark time, or seems very gifted.  Since many individuals have been hurt by toxic leaders, it’s important to take a closer look at what the Bible teaches so that we can recognize the difference between a true move of God and a religious cult.

There are true moves of the Holy Spirit and there are moves  driven by a personality.  Sometimes true moves are hijacked  by the personal motives or fears of a leader.  That move of God can be quenched entirely (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20; Hebrews 10:29) or take on the agenda of a narcissistic  leader (2 Peter 2:1-15; Titus 1:5-16).

7 Signs of a Religious Cult

Here are some signs that a church or religious movement is becoming a cult:

1. A strong focus on the leader or the leader’s gifts instead of an emphasis on the word of God and commitment to Jesus (Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 24:24; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5);
2. Control or pressure to think like the leader and conform to their agenda;
3. Sloppy or nonexistent boundaries/ethics. There is often a disregard for rules in the form of questionable business practices, sexual exploitation of individuals, or all of the above (Matthew 7:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 2 Timothy 3:4-6; Titus l:10-11; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 1:7).
4. Charming excuses or a dismissive attitude when important concerns are raised about integrity, physical safety, or emotional safety (Jude 1:14-19).
5. Emphasis on following the leader rather than personal spiritual maturity and healthy relationships.
6. Emphasis on spiritual gifts rather than personal discipleship and devotion to Jesus.
7. The use of charm or bullying to maintain control and the appearance that everything is fine.

Biblical Leadership

Jesus and the early church leaders served others from a heart of humility (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Ephesians 4:1-2).  Personal integrity was more important than the generosity of a donation (Acts 5:1-11).  Also noteworthy, is that sexual sin was addressed and corrected (1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-14). Many people don’t realize that, if you look at the research, adult sexual predators often return to that behavior.

Leaders at all levels of influence are accountable to the entire congregation for their actions (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Titus 3:10-11).  Predatory behavior of any kind should disqualify even the most gifted individual from leadership.

Signs of a Healthy Church

When we read the Scriptures, we see how God wants His children to grow.  The emphasis is on personal growth, devotion to Jesus, and discipleship to use one’s gifts in the spread of the gospel (Matt 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-13). A healthy church encourages people to read the Bible (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15) and learn to hear from God for themselves (Exodus 20:18-19; John 10:27; 1 Timothy 2:5).  The leader is not the focus (John 3:30; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

When you are in a healthy church, you will grow in your love of God, your love for people, and a healthy respect for yourself (Colossians 3:12-14).  You are encouraged to live a holy life without being micromanaged by a leader.  You will be encouraged to respect legal authority, personal boundaries, and other ministries which may have a different emphasis in their service to Jesus. You will feel safe physically and emotionally.

Another sign of a healthy church or religious movement is that you will be encouraged to develop your own spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:16; Hebrews 5:14; 1 John 4:1-2).  Each person is encouraged to deepen their understanding of the word of God and their connection to Jesus Christ (Mark 12:24; Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Colossians 3:14-16).

The Appeal of a Religious Cult

As I mentioned, sometimes a move of God or a leader starts off in the right spirit. If the move of God is quenched, you will notice quickly that the supernatural flow is gone. However, it may take time to notice when a legitimate move of the Holy Spirit slowly becomes hijacked by a personality. If you have a history of trauma or a strong need for belonging, you may feel guilty when you begin to question a leader or a movement. If you feel uncomfortable or unsure of what you are seeing, it is wise to talk to someone outside of the group who will give you some honest feedback.

If you want to learn more about narcissism or narcissistic leaders, I have some resources.

Blog Post:  Do You Have Spiritual Discernment? Take the Quiz!

Blog Post:  Dealing with a Narcissist?  Why Common Sense Approaches Won’t Work

Podcast Episode:  What is the Gift of Spiritual Discernment?