What is the definition of a cult?

TL;DR:

A cult, in Christian terms, is a religious group claiming to be Christian but deviating from the core truths of the gospel, particularly the deity of Christ and salvation by grace through faith. Cults mislead people by distorting biblical truth, often using Christian terminology while promoting a false gospel that leads people away from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

what does the bible say?

A cult, in Christian terms, is a religious group that claims to be Christian but deviates from core biblical truths, particularly the deity of Christ and salvation by grace through faith. Cults often use Christian terminology but distort the gospel, leading people away from a true relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible warns against false teachings and emphasizes the importance of adhering to the gospel message, including Jesus’ full divinity and His sacrifice for sin (Matthew 7:15-16 ; Galatians 1:8-9; Colossians 2:8; 2 John 1:9). Groups that deny these truths or promote works-based salvation are considered cults.

Cults, such as Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses, characteristically deny Christ’s deity or sufficiency (John 1:1). Christian cults also frequently teach that salvation depends on human effort rather than God’s grace. This contradicts Scripture, which declares salvation as a free gift of God, not the result of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Cults often use familiar Christian terms like "grace" or "salvation" but redefine them in ways inconsistent with biblical truth. This can confuse and mislead those unfamiliar with Scripture. Cults typically elevate their own writings or leaders’ teachings above or equal to the Bible, claiming exclusive access to divine truth (Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Corinthians 3:4-8).

Christians are called to discern truth from error, test teachings, and gently guide others back to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1; James 5:19-20).

from the old testament

God warns against prophets or dreamers who perform signs but lead people to worship other gods, emphasizing loyalty to the Lord alone (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).
Isaiah 8:20 reads, "To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." Scripture is the standard for truth, and deviation from it is a sign of falsehood.

from the new testament

True Christianity centers on the gospel message that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, His sacrifice is sufficient to pay for sin, and salvation comes by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Any group that denies these foundational truths undermines the gospel and is not truly Christian.
Jesus Himself warned of false prophets who would mislead many: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Such groups may appear sincere and use familiar Christian language but lead people away from God.
In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 Paul describes false teachers as deceitful workers disguising themselves as servants of righteousness, echoing Satan’s deceptive tactics.
The Bible consistently warns against false teachings and doctrines that distort the gospel. Galatians 1:6-9 is explicit: "If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." This clarifies the seriousness of deviating from biblical truth.
Christians are commanded to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God, particularly by evaluating what they teach about Jesus’ identity (1 John 4:1-3).
Jude exhorts believers to contend for the faith, warning against individuals who pervert God’s grace and deny Jesus Christ (Jude 1:3-4).

implications for today

Cults are particularly dangerous because of their subtlety. They often appear sincere and appealing, using the language of Christianity to draw people in while distorting foundational truths. This makes it critical for Christians to know Scripture deeply and discern truth from error (2 Timothy 2:15). Believers must also lovingly confront those ensnared by cults, pointing them back to the gospel. The goal is not to win arguments but to guide people toward the saving truth of Jesus Christ. This requires both gentleness and clarity (1 Peter 3:15) as well as prayer for God’s Spirit to open their hearts.

The Bible’s consistent message is clear: Salvation is by grace through faith in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ alone. Groups that deviate from this truth may sound appealing but ultimately lead people away from God. Christians are called to stand firm in the faith, guarding against false teachings while sharing the true gospel with compassion and conviction.

understand

Cults claim to be Christian but distort key truths like Christ's deity and salvation by grace.
Cults use Christian terms while promoting a false gospel.
The Bible warns against false teachings and calls Christians to discern truth and guide others.

reflect

How well do you know the core truths of the gospel, and how can you deepen your understanding to recognize distortions?
Have you encountered any teachings or groups that use Christian language but seem to distort biblical truths? How did you respond?
What role does compassion and gentleness play when discussing the truth with those involved in cults?

engage

How can we effectively discern whether a teaching or belief aligns with the gospel, especially when it sounds similar to Christianity?
What are some practical ways to protect ourselves and others from being misled by false teachings in today’s world?
How can we engage with those in cults in a way that lovingly leads them back to the true gospel, without compromising biblical truth?