I once was a part of a church that had a ministry that nurtured those who were in spiritual bondage having been in a cult or semi-cult religious organization. There are three things that stood out about the cult-like church, from having watched those more wisely than myself help heal the wounded.

1. The organization of church was being spoken of more often than Christ.
2. The need to always identify sin and call out the sin-bearer through hints or even blatant name-calling was a daily practice.
3. There was a kind of sanctified harshness.

There are clear false teachings. As for false teachers, I will let the more humble and qualified deal with them as they believe Jesus would. I will try to address more those who might be learning to lead without a mentor and who may at times may be mis-called false prophets. What I found being in this humble, yet Christ-centered church, is the semi-cult group often called this little group out, marking them as false teachers. To the semi-cult’s credit, several decades later they repented and are living freely in Christ as best as they know how.

The Bible speaks to the fruit of false teachers in 1 John 4:2-3, and 2 Peter 2. To read the description gives me chills. It speaks for itself and I don’t want to come across as trying to pull weeds when I may be pulling up wheat. The Lord Himself said the angels are capable of doing this work of separating the wheat from the tares. I believe somewhere in this logic lies the idea that God is not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:8-9) and will patiently await the coming of as many as possible into the Kingdom. Mine is to love and be a light shining on Christ. In other words, anyone can change their mind and come to the Lord no matter how lost they may look.

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. –I Samuel 16:7b/NIV

Control is the tact of semi-cult organizations. Servanthood is Jesus’ tool. Control is usually wielded when someone feels out of control in some area of their lives, so controlling, holding tight to dogma and repeated indoctrination is a way to submit one’s mind to control. Where there is no broad thought, no experience to speak of or charity of heart towards those who believe differently, control is at the helm somewhere. God is in control, and servants know they don’t have to control; they simply obey and teach. Only God’s Holy Spirit can enforce what needs to be done, not us, unless we’ve been vested by the powers that be to apply consequence to a situation. If not, charity is always best.

In short, if I deny the power of Christ, I try to take power into my own hands.

Who will help us find a balanced approach to servanthood? Jesus.

Amazing!