Exposing Cults: Understanding Their Tactics and Bondage
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
In our world today, many are deceived by groups that present themselves as spiritual, religious, or self-improvement organizations, yet operate under manipulative and controlling systems. These are often cults. Cults do not simply offer guidance; they use coercion, manipulation, and fear to ensnare members and maintain control over them. Understanding how cults operate is critical for Christians to discern truth from deception.
This blog is posted as a teaching guide for clarity, depth, and practical insight on cult manipulative behaviors so you can protect yourself and your family from cult leaders and organizations.
What Defines a Cult?
A cult is often characterized by undue influence and coercive control exerted by a leader or group. Members are isolated from the outside world, encouraged to give unquestioning loyalty, and are manipulated in their thoughts, emotions, and finances. Scripture warns us this type of conduct:
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” — Colossians 2:8
Cults often operate under these key mechanisms: Behavior Control, Information Control, Thought Control, Emotional Control, Charismatic Leadership, and Financial Exploitation. Dr. Steven Hassan describes this systematically through the BITE model. – Source: https://freedomofmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BITE-model.pdf
1. Behavior Control
Cults meticulously regulate the daily lives of members, often dictating diet, clothing, sleep, entertainment, relationships, and even reproductive choices. Isolation is common; members may be pressured to live communally, cut ties with family and friends outside the group, or abandon previous lifestyles.
Followers of Jesus are to be led by the Holy Spirit and should always follow the word of God so they can hear the voice of God and not cult leaders or groups.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” — John 16:13
“And thou shalt not walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, and to bow down unto them: But the LORD thy God shall bless thee, and if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” — Deuteronomy 11:16-17
Cults twist obedience to appear spiritual while creating bondage. Normal relationships are painted as dangerous distractions from the “truth” of their group and viewed as heresy and disobedience.
The scriptures teach us that people would “appear” as godly but are not. Believers in Christ are instructed to turn away from cult groups or people that appear godly but are not.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” — 2 Timothy 3:5
2. Information Control
Cults control what members see, hear, or read. Access to outside sources of information is often discouraged or restricted, and critics of the group are silenced or discredited then portrayed as if they are disobeying God because they question the leadership or false doctrines they promote. When cults do this, they are preventing its members from learning the truth about the group’s intentions or abuses so they can continue promoting lies that are deceiving many who already are in their cult group. This kind of behavior contradicts what the Bible actually teaches because every follower of Jesus Christ has the right to expose any darkness or unfruitful works that they see or hear.
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” — Ephesians 5:11
Yet cults falsely claim transparency while hiding critical information. They discourage independent research, often vilifying truth-seekers as enemies.
3. Thought Control
Cults cultivate a rigid worldview where the group is morally superior and everyone outside their group is evil or misguided. Members are trained to think in “black-and-white” terms. Slogans, repeated mantras, and loaded language are used to suppress critical thinking.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” — 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Cult leaders will always use “feigned words” to make “merchandise” of people that they want to convince as they promote their delusions to the hearers present. Their true motive is covetousness because they want everything you own including your soul.
“1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” — 2 Peter 2:1-3
Thought control is spiritual bondage. Independent reasoning is framed as rebellion or sin to cult groups. Doubt becomes a dangerous and punishable act if you question them.
4. Emotional Control
Cults use emotions to trap members. They employ fear, guilt, and shame to manipulate compliance. Love-bombing is common for recruitment: new members are overwhelmed with attention, affection, and validation to create rapid emotional dependence. They make their new guest feel “loved” but in reality it is not love but entrapment for what they will begin to entice its visitors with, it is a “setup” to condition your mind so you can easily accept their false teachings without every questioning their false doctrinal “dogma” that they promote to the masses.
The bible teaches to stand against evil, cult dogma is evil because it thrives on people’s emotions rather then what God teaches in his word the Bible.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:13
Fear tactics often include verbal threats of shunning, spiritual damnation and going to hell, or divine punishment from God for having disobedience toward their cult beliefs. Emotional manipulation ensures members remain psychologically dependent on the group and its leaders rather then on God.
5. Charismatic Leadership
Cult leaders often present themselves as infallible, spiritually superior, and the ultimate authority. Questioning them is seen as rebellion against God.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” — 2 Timothy 4:3
Followers are taught that the leader alone possesses truth, creating a dynamic where obedience is worship disguised as faith in God and His word. The Bible never teaches that anyone should put their trust in one person who calls his or herself a “Pastor” or another title they go by. We are always taught in scripture to put our trust and faith in the Lord alone and not on others or institutions created by men.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:2
6. Financial Exploitation
Members are often coerced into giving their personal wealth, income, or property to the group or leader of the group. Wealth is framed as a spiritual requirement, or an expression of devotion.
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” — 1 Timothy 6:9
Cults exploit financial dependency to deepen control, making it harder for members to leave. Cult leaders will usually connect a persons financial giving as a sign of having strong faith in God but what they are ding is actually “extortion” and stealing money by extracting hard earned money from people including people who need the money to pay their bills and feed their families.
An easy way to identify them is when they make the claim that God will give you more money for any money you give to them or their organization. They may also imply that you will receive more “power” from God as you give money. This tactic is not only ungodly, but is sorcery at a highest level.
In the book of Acts we learn of a man called “Simon the Sorcerer” who claimed to be the “Great One” as many cult leaders in leadership roles are doing today. This sorcerer deceived many people for a long time and then had the audacity to “offer money” to an Apostle of God so he too can have the “power” that he saw the Apostles had but the Apostles of God rebuked him.
“9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” — Acts 9:9-13
When we continue to read in scripture we clearly can see that God hates “sorcery” and expects covetous greedy people to repent of their wicked deeds of extortion and thinking that people can buy the power of God with money, yet many are doing this exact same thing that Simon the sorcerer did.
“18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” — Acts 9:18-23
These people and cults that do what Simon the sorcerer did will end up in hell if they do not repent and stop stealing money from innocent people.
Signs That You Are Encountering a Cult
No tolerance for questions or doubt — questioning is viewed as treason.
Elitism — the group believes itself superior to outsiders or other groups.
Inability to leave safely — departing members face severe social or spiritual consequences.
Isolation — members are cut off from family, friends, and information.
Excessive devotion to the leader — loyalty to the leader supersedes loyalty to God.
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:13
How Cults Bind People Spiritually and Psychologically
Cults aim to replace God’s authority with human authority, positioning their leader as the final arbiter of truth. They enslave members mentally, emotionally, and financially, while claiming spiritual benefit. Christians must discern this manipulation:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” — 1 John 4:1
Cult teachings often distort Scripture, misapply prophecy, or isolate verses to suit their wicked agenda. The Word of God is the believer’s anchor:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17
Conclusion: Guarding Against Cult Influence
Cults thrive on deception, fear, and control. Christians are called to discern, test, and remain grounded in the Word of God. Knowledge of cult tactics, awareness of manipulation, and reliance on Scripture are key to staying free:
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” — Proverbs 23:23
Be vigilant, pray for guidance, and remember that freedom in Christ is incompatible with cultic-control, false teachings, and evil behaviors.
Jesus said you will know them by their fruit, this includes the fruit of any cult leader or persons who claim they are ministering the word of God to you…
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” — Matthew 7:16
