We have so many different kinds of religions, faiths, beliefs, and even within each of the major faiths there are so many variations. In this post I am not talking about the major religions of the world; I am not talking about the ones that most would attend on a regular Sunday or Saturday. But, I am writing about false religions like Scientology and so many other smaller organizations like these are based off of very similar beliefs.
The major thing no one (especially the leader or organization itself) will never tell you is the leader often has a family background in the Christian faith. Many times their parents or grandparents were pastors or missionaries. Therefore, they frequently know the teachings of the Bible, and even use them, intermingling Biblical principles with their own but never quoting the Scripture or giving the source of the teaching. It is very crafty. Ask questions about leaders. Find out their spiritual background.
Biblical principles are truth. They work. Therefore if followed people can see blessings in their life. If you read through the Book of Proverbs and followed just the ones on finance you would greatly improve your wealth and business. The same holds true for relational principles.
Immediately, I recognized the Biblical wisdom in forgiving the person and how important this is to not let bitterness grow in one’s heart. It is a very freeing teaching that without it can destroy a person from within. However, it played on the person’s pride. It made the person feel they were better than the other person, more evolved, or functioning at a higher spiritual level; therefore, he/she was to have in a sense pity on the person and to not be entangled in the lower level issues.
While the teaching did indeed help the person deal with the offense and to apply in many aspects apply the principle of forgiveness by not holding the person in debt to her for the hurt, it traded one sin for another. Pride is a much craftier sin to see. A person who has false modesty is actually prideful; if you think you are better than others you are prideful.
However, the major Christian difference is that we DON’T thankfully get what we deserve (the karma) if we confess, repent, and receive God’s grace. False religions will NEVER teach this concept; they would loose enormous amount of control over their followers. Guilt, condemnation, and karma are major ways they keep their followers in-line.
However, our creator God, Elohim, that is only the one true God has abilities that these leaders can never claim. Read this:
This is why God can say,
The major thing no one (especially the leader or organization itself) will never tell you is the leader often has a family background in the Christian faith. Many times their parents or grandparents were pastors or missionaries. Therefore, they frequently know the teachings of the Bible, and even use them, intermingling Biblical principles with their own but never quoting the Scripture or giving the source of the teaching. It is very crafty. Ask questions about leaders. Find out their spiritual background.
Biblical principles are truth. They work. Therefore if followed people can see blessings in their life. If you read through the Book of Proverbs and followed just the ones on finance you would greatly improve your wealth and business. The same holds true for relational principles.
Forgiveness
I listened to a teacher last week that was talking about how to deal with difficult people and those who have hurt you. He explained that you need to realize that the person is not functioning at the spiritual level you are and that he is doing the best they can based on their realization or knowledge. Therefore, you simply rise above and let the issues go, not holding it to them or the offense.Immediately, I recognized the Biblical wisdom in forgiving the person and how important this is to not let bitterness grow in one’s heart. It is a very freeing teaching that without it can destroy a person from within. However, it played on the person’s pride. It made the person feel they were better than the other person, more evolved, or functioning at a higher spiritual level; therefore, he/she was to have in a sense pity on the person and to not be entangled in the lower level issues.
While the teaching did indeed help the person deal with the offense and to apply in many aspects apply the principle of forgiveness by not holding the person in debt to her for the hurt, it traded one sin for another. Pride is a much craftier sin to see. A person who has false modesty is actually prideful; if you think you are better than others you are prideful.
Reaping What You Sow
Another example of a teaching that is taught by many of these groups is Karma. So the person is so careful not to do wrong, treat people bad, or to say hurtful things because they don’t want to have bad things happen to them, and of course, they want to keep moving up to higher spiritual planes. The Bible teaches that a person reaps what they sow and also God often lets us experience things that we have done to others to give us insight to the other person’s perspective.However, the major Christian difference is that we DON’T thankfully get what we deserve (the karma) if we confess, repent, and receive God’s grace. False religions will NEVER teach this concept; they would loose enormous amount of control over their followers. Guilt, condemnation, and karma are major ways they keep their followers in-line.
One True God
I was reading Isaiah today that caused me to think about these people who lead these cults or false religions. They are lifted up on a pedestal to often be exalted as god or master -- one who is at the highest possible spiritual level of development.However, our creator God, Elohim, that is only the one true God has abilities that these leaders can never claim. Read this:
"Thus says God the LORD,No matter how “good” a person can be, a person can’t claim to have made the earth and to give all people breath and spirit.
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it; "(Is 42:5)
This is why God can say,
"I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,” (Is 42:8)
The Word
Only a person who reads and knows Scripture could pick out the Biblical concepts from the ones that are not. A person who has only read the Bible casually or heard some passages will have no idea that he is being taught a Biblical teaching. And very sadly they will not know the lies that are being sprinkled in to benefit the leader or organizations.
One day I want to take a passage of one of these cults and show in detail how truths or mixed with lies; However, what I have currently written will have to do for today.
If you have a loved one involved in a cult, pray for them. I pray for those I know. I pray that the leader may show their sinfulness, that it will be obvious that he is a mere man, not God. I also pray that those I love will hear the ONE TRUE GOD in quiet times, and that He will have mercy on them and keep drawing each one near to Him.
photo credit: candlelight by svelimiovic96,
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