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.
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).
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.