2 Peter 2:1-3
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
The beauty about the Bible is that it accurately predicts what is to come. For instance, one would assume that Peter was living in our days and made an assessment of the state of Christianity. False prophets and teachers indeed have arisen in our days and have formed ‘churches’ where they propagate their heresies which Peter says are destructive. These kinds of ‘churches’ are what we call cults. They have strange, unbiblical teachings, and they usually are based on a particular personality head.
The danger of cults is that they lead to the destruction of the followers. Many have been led to jeopardise their lives through deceptive teachings and false prophets. Some have even died at the instruction of their leader, e.g, the Shakahola massacre. Others break apart families as the adherents are called to greater devotion to their sect and leader. But we must be those that are not swayed easily by any kind of teaching. For the sake of time, occults are cults but whose leaders use demonic powers passing for genuine Spirit’s power. We must be a discerning people.
Reflections
1. What kinds of destructive teachings and heresies have you heard?
2. Case study: Do you think Pastor Mackenzie of Shakahola was leading a cult? What should the followers have done?
