What is a cult?

In the process of living life and loving God and people, it is very likely that you may run into cults. Many cults don't start off being cultish. A little truth mixed with other things creates the environment for cult behavior which leads to a group becoming a cult. The question really comes down to "What is a cult?"
Why do you need to know? Simple... Paul said follow me as I follow Christ. You need to know what God's word says...not what someone is telling that it says and all but challenging you to question it. You should be able to question what doesn't line up with the Word. Below is an article so that the characteristics of a cult or cult like behavior can be known.
Here's the article:
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What is a Cult?
"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to advance the goals of the group’s leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community." (West & Langone, 1986) Most cults dangle benefits to entice people and lead people to believe that only through them will the benefits continue. Outside the group is disallusionment, disappointment, loss and destruction and isolation from anyone else in the group.

What Are Some Characteristics of a Cult?

• Authoritarian in their power structure
• Totalitarian in their control of the behavior of their members
• Pyramidal structure
• Uses thought reform techniques
• Isolation of members (physical and/or psychological isolation) from society
• Uses deception in recruiting and/or fund raising
• Promotes dependence of the members on the group
• Totalitarian in their world view
• Uses mind altering techniques (chanting, meditation, hypnosis and various forms of repetitive actions) to stop normal critical thinking
• Appear exclusive and innovative
• Charismatic or messianic leader who is self-appointed and has a special mission in life
• Controls the flow of information
• Instills a fear of leaving the group. (See AFF)
  

Article:
What messages are behind today's cults? by Philip Zimbardo, Ph. D. from May APA Monitor.

The Real Deal on Gossip

In the book of Leviticus God tells us to not spread gossip and rumors. Chapter 19, Verse 16 says, "Don't just stand by when your neighbor's life is in danger. I am God."In the book of Psalms, God calls up the wicked," "What are you up to, quoting my laws, talking like we are good friends? You never answer the door when I call; you treat my words like garbage. If you find a thief, you make him your buddy; adulterers are your friends of choice. Your mouth drools filth; lying is a serious art form with you. You stab your own brother in the back, rip off your little sister. I kept a quiet patience while you did these things; you thought I went along with your game. I'm calling you on the carpet, now, laying your wickedness out in plain sight. "
Proverbs 20:19- "Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths."
Ezekiel 22:6-12 says, "Your leaders, the princes of Israel among you, compete in crime. You're a community that's insolent to parents, abusive to outsiders, oppressive against orphans and widows. You treat my holy things with contempt and desecrate my Sabbaths. You have people spreading lies and spilling blood, flocking to the hills to the sex shrines and fornicating unrestrained. Incest is common. Men force themselves on women regardless of whether they're ready or willing. Sex is now anarchy. Anyone is fair game: neighbor, daughter-in-law, sister. Murder is for hire, usury is rampant, extortion is commonplace. And you've forgotten me. Decree of God, the Master. "
Exodus 23:7 says, "Stay clear of false accusations. Don't contribute to the death of innocent and good people. I don't let the wicked off the hook. "
Matthew 5:11-12 says, "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. "

Job 27 really gets to the heart of the matter if you are one who has been the object of false accusations, slander, trumped up lies and false evidence meant to destroy your character yet presented to people as fact or as truth.
Verses 1-6, "Having waited for Zophar, Job now resumed his defense: "God-Alive! He's denied me justice! God Almighty! He's ruined my life!
But for as long as I draw breath, and for as long as God breathes life into me,I refuse to say one word that isn't true. I refuse to confess to any charge that's false.There is no way I'll ever agree to your accusations. I'll not deny my integrity even if it costs me my life. I'm holding fast to my integrity and not loosening my grip— and, believe me, I'll never regret it!"

Deal with it.

If you are a tale bearer, gossiper, whisperer and double minded, there is hope that you can move out of that fantasy world and get back to what is real. God is a good God. He loves you and He wants to bless you.1 John 1:9 says that if you will confess, admit that you have set your life in a direction of destruction because of your actions, words and thoughts, and will turn away from those dead end ways of life you will find the ultimate truth. God is faithful.God is just. God is awaiting you to turn to Him, not some personality, HIM ALONE! ONLY HE can forgive you and help you to get back to what is real. Get back in on the real deal of a life of faith toward God that is expressed through genuine love for people and especially for those in the family of God.
PUT AWAY THE WICKEDNESS THAT WILL DESTROY YOU AND EVERYONE IN YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE. REPENT AND TURN AWAY FROM EVIL THINKING, EVIL SPEAKING AND EVIL ACTING!
God loves you friend. Get back to what is real. Turn to Him today in the name of Jesus Christ and you will find Him there... right there. He didn't move, you moved.IT'S YOUR MOVE. Turn to God today, friend.

YOUR PATH

Your Path

Now You've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face. Ever since You took my hand, I'm on the right way –
Psalm 16:11

I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free –
Psalm 119:32

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path –
Psalm 119:105

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path – Proverbs 23:19

Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you? –
Psalm 25:5

Suddenly, God, Your light floods my path, God drives out the darkness –
2 Samuel 22:29

May He keep us centered and devoted to Him. And you, your lives must be totally obedient to God, our personal God, following the life path He has cleared, watching the signposts, alert and attentive to everything he has made plain this day –
1 Kings 8:58,61

Train me, God, to walk straight; then I'll follow Your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear – Psalm 86:11

In light of all this, here's what I want you to do…I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere –
Ephesians 4:1

Love Talks

LOVE TALKS

Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I will never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me? –
Hebrews 13:5-6

God steps out like he means business. You can see He's primed for action. He shouts, announcing his arrival…”I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them - sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.” –
Isaiah 42:16

God's Strength Is Perfect

His Strength is Perfect –

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him – Exodus 15:2

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect –
2 Samuel 22:33

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always –
1 Chronicles 16:11

Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all –
1 Chronicles 29:12

Will you rely on Him for His great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to Him? – Job 39:11

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song –
Psalm 28:7

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble – Psalm 46:1

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble – Psalm 59:16

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever – Psalm 73:26

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation – Isaiah 12:2

O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress – Isaiah 33:2

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak –
Isaiah 40:29

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint – Isaiah 40:31

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength – Mark 12:30

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength –
Philippians 4:13

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me – 2 Corinthians 12:9


Even the Winds Obey--

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!" – Matthew 8:26-27

The Family of God

Ephesians 2:19-22
That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Are you living up to that name?

Acts 2:44- And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
BELIEVERS- describes people who have convictions regarding the Word of God, the nature of God and Christ. Believers trust God in all ways. They are mountain movers, people of the Word.

Acts 6:3- And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
BROTHERS- the company that we keep. Ministering to people as family. We have a common father... our father in Heaven.
1 John 3:10- (NLT) So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers[a] does not belong to God.
1 John 4:20-21- (NLT) If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, [a] that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.[b]

1 John 2:15-17 Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

1 Peter 3:11- Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

Ephesians 4:1-3 In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

The FAMILY OF GOD is about genuinely loving one another as God would love them and even as you would endeavor to love your self. Any other definition is not God's definition according to His Word of which He watches over to perform.

The Real Scoop on Gossip

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

The action of gossip
To gossip is to speak in a way which raises questions or doubts about another or their character. Gossip is conversation behind someone's back, which puts them in bad light.

The motivation for gossip
Compassion or sincere concern is no excuse for gossip.
No matter how pure or innocent the motive, raising questions about another still damages their reputation, ie:
"I'm concerned for `So and So' because …"
"I'd like to pray for `So and So', because they've …"
"What did you think about what So and So said? I had trouble with it myself."
"I am having a problem with `So and So,' because of such and such. Could you pray for me?"
"I heard such and such about `So and So.' Do you know if that's true?"
"Have you heard that `So and So' was being investigated for such and such? They need our prayer."
"But I know what I say to be TRUE -- so it's not gossip." (Where does the idea come from that words are only gossip if they are not true?)
Gossip destroys another's reputation, whether intentionally or accidentally.
The most famous excuse for gossip: "I only mentioned it because I was concerned."
If personal concern excused gossip, 90% of all gossip could be justified.
If the one speaking the gossip was genuinely concerned, they would have come to the one they gossiped about, and not raised doubts about them to someone else.
Even one who repeats hurtful gossip back to the slandered one, rather than confronting the slanderer, participates in gossip. The one originally speaking the gossip should be corrected and sent back to reconcile with the one they are gossiping about.

God's solution for those who have concerns for another is for them to go to the one they say they are concerned about. That way they don't accidentally gossip.

Distinctions of Gossip:
A gossip is one who tells truth to others -- not just lies.
A gossip is one who reveals matters which should have been kept private.
A gossip is one who isn't worthy of trust.
Prov 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
halak, haw-lak'; to walk and carry; ie: a tale-bearer
A gossip is one who shares with others that which is entrusted to him in secret.
A gossip is one who says more than he ought, so should be avoided.
Prov 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
rakiyl, raw-keel'; one who travels and carries tales, a talebearer, scandal-monger, a slanderer
A gossip is one who stirs up dissension.
A gossip is one who speaks things which cause hurt feelings, thereby dividing friends.
Prov 16:28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
nirgan, neer-gawn'; one who causes division; a slanderer:--talebearer, whisperer

Prov 17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
A gossip is one who contributes to a quarrel by speaking of it to others.
Prov 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
A gossip is one who damages his friends with his lips.
Prov 11:9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
A gossip is one whose words will not be without consequence -- on himself or others.
Psalms 101:5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.
Leviticus 19:16 "'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.
One who speaks negatively of others is so full of himself that he speaks without restraint
Prov 10:18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool [keciyl].
keciyl, kes-eel'; to be fat; ie: to be bloated with self (A fool is one who lacks self-restraint.)

A gossip is anyone who sees a brother in sin, and does not follow Matthew 18, but tells others of his offense instead. As we are directed in Romans 16:17-18, such a divisive person should be avoided.
Mat 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Rom 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Effectively, we gossip when we speak in a negative way about another when they are not present to defend themselves. The facts spoken may be true and the speaker may be motivated out of concern, but if the one spoken about would not appreciate the conversation, it is gossip.
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ACCORDING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT, WHAT IS SLANDER OR GOSSIP?
Gossip: (Greek)
blasphemeo, blas-fay-meh'-o; to vilify; talk against; to speak irreverently: speak evil of; blaspheme

blasphemia krisis, kree'-sis; railing accusation or judgment

katalaleo, kat-al-al-eh'-o; to put down; to be a maligner, i.e. to slander:--speak against (evil of).

katalalia, kat-al-al-ee'-ah; defamation:--backbiting, evil speaking.

psithurismos, psith-oo-ris-mos'; secret, vicious whispering

psithuristes, psith-oo-ris-tace'; a secret, vicious whisperer

diabolos, dee-ab'-ol-os; a traducer, a slanderer, a false-accuser; literally - one who throws about

phluaros, floo'-ar-os; bubbling over with words; one who says too much; excessively talkative

loidoros, loy'-dor-os; one who spreads trouble with their mouth; abusive; a railer, a reviler

epereazo, ep-ay-reh-ad'-zo; to make inflammatory threats towards or statements about; to insult, falsely accuse


Slander:
(Hebrew) rakiyl, raw-keel'; as traveling about; carry tales, a scandal-monger

Lev 19:16 "'Do not go about spreading slander [rakiyl] among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.

'aliylah, al-ee-law'; in the sense of effecting; an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); an act, a deed
dabar, daw-bawr'; a word; something spoken

Deut 22:17 Now he has slandered {'aliylah dabar] her and said, 'I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.' But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity." Then her parents shall display the cloth before the elders of the town, 18 and the elders shall take the man and punish him.

Effectively, slander is inaccurate information which presents a damaging view of someone, whether presented maliciously or innocently.

- The best way to avoid slander is to hear both sides of a story and ask lots of questions before making charges.

Prov 18:17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

Prov 18:13 He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame.

We prove ourselves to be a fool if we judge a matter and formulate an answer before we have finished listening to determine the truth

Checking out the facts with the accused also fulfills the law of Christ – "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

When someone passes on accusations without first checking them out with the accused to verify the truth of the reports, he inadvertently slanders when he passes on half truths or inaccuracies.


NEW TESTAMENT PROHIBITIONS:
Eph 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
James 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
Col 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
1 Pet 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

NEW TESTAMENT CONDEMNATIONS:
Rom 1:29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,
psithuristes, psith-oo-ris-tace'; a secret, vicious whisperer
2 Cor 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip [psithuristes], arrogance and disorder.
1 Tim 5:13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
3 John 1:10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping [phluaros] maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
THE CLEAREST NEW TESTAMENT PROHIBITION:
Mat 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Mat 22:39b … 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Our greatest motivation for not putting others in bad light is our obedience to the Law of Christ – we must love others as we want to be loved. If we do not want people to talk about us when we are not there, then we must treat them with the same consideration.
As children of God, we must be alert to one of Satan's chief goals – to bring division to God's family. Offenses will happen in all relationships, so we must guard ourselves against harboring resentment, and sitting in judgment of one another. We must be especially careful to not fall victim to the devil's scheme and speak negatively of one another -- Christ's prescription in Matthew 18 must be followed. Before mentioning our concern to anyone else, we must speak first to the one who concerns us. We must "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave" us. (Eph 4:32)