Many years ago there was a WWJD movement amongst Christians. It encouraged us to ponder in any situation, "What Would Jesus Do?" 🤔
As in most Christian movements, people decided to start marketing it very hard. We saw the WWJD logo show up on everything from Shirts to bracelets, to greeting cards, to tapestries, to Tote bags, to coasters, movies, (tons of) books, ... (You get the idea) 🤨
But although I had a strong distaste for all the merchandising, I wasn't completely against WWJD showing up everywhere. It is something we should be constantly considering.
Now the WWJD idea is just a distant memory along with others like the "Golden Rule" (Treat others the way you would wish to be treated), going "The Extra Mile" (Giving Sacrificially) and being a "Good Samitan" (helping your neighbor who is in trouble).
But one of my main tasks during these End Times is to expose "False Prophets", "Apostate Churches" and "Christian Cults".
Not a very pleasant job because they are Everywhere these days, which is something most people don't know because they are masquerading under various guises of doing good. I have to encounter a LOT of behind-closed-doors muck and then try to convince people (many of whom are deeply indoctrinated Followers) of the Truth through evidence that they are in jeopardy.
So far the majority of the people who Follow these Cults ignore the evidence and just get angry with me. (Poor souls. 🥺)
But I seem to be quite successful in warning people away from the charlatans if they aren't hardcore followers yet and I am also able to alert non-Christians that these people are out there trying to lure people in using subtle and deceptive ways.
But I often get asked by people wanting to make sure they don't get sucked in by these people,
"What are the basic things I should be looking for to determine if something is a Cult or just a Church with problems that can be fixed?"
(I did a previous post, "What Makes a Cult? (Simplified)" that I will provide the Link for at the bottom.)
But all Cults revolve around a main charismatic Narcissistic Leader who is never questioned or criticized and is surrounded by "Yes-Men" who filter in only certain people to see the Leader. And, of course, this Leader has many Flunkies and Minions to do his (or her) bidding.
So it is this Cult LEADER that I would like to draw your attention to today.
The simplest way to determine whether you're dealing with a subtle Cult leader or just a flawed human Pastor is in their BEHAVIOR.
Do THEY do what Jesus would do?
If your Leader has a new Project in the works, can you picture Jesus asking them to build it?
If they live in a big house, have nice clothes and nice cars that are more than their average follower has, would Jesus live in opulence while His followers are struggling to make ends meet?
If they are always asking you to give money above and beyond your tithe, did Jesus go around asking for money?
If the members and Followers always seemed to be pushed to volunteer to the point of being constantly tired and feeling run-down, is Jesus a Slave-Driver?
If it is near to impossible to have a talk with the Leader unless you are part of their inner circle, would Jesus remain aloof and unapproachable?
If the Leader elevates himself as someone chosen by God for a "Divinely Appointed" mission, did Jesus come that way or as a Servant to GIVE HIS OWN BLOOD as a ransom for many?
You get the idea.
So, when you're casting a critical eye on your Minister or Bible Teacher (always a good idea these days) ask if you could picture Jesus saying and doing the things they are.
Of course, ☝️ this only works if you know Jesus and study the Bible in order to discover what Jesus is actually like.
I hope that this helps you view things with discernment, as we try to maneuver our way through these very dark times.
The Truth with Love
Always Laura-Lee
My post "The Bible for Newbies"
