1.  Cults cause division, breaking away from or leaving the fellowship.  (Ecumenical)

Jer 3:14

(14)Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Mat 10:34-36

(34)  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

(35)  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

(36)  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Luk 12:51-53

(51)  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

(52)  For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

(53)  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Act 19:9

(9)  But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

2Co 6:14-17

(14)  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

(15)  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

(16)  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

(17)  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Rev 18:4

(4)  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

2.  Cults are little groups that have split off.

Mat 7:14

(14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mat 18:20

(20)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Luk 12:32

(32)  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

1Co 1:26

(26)  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

3.   -Cults cause theological aberration

(The act of wandering from the right way; deviation from truth or moral rectitude; deviation from a strait line.)

      -Cults cause sociological aberration

      -Cults deviate from orthodox Christianity. (Mainstream Christianity)

Mat 7:14

(14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mat 7:21-22

(21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

(22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 10:37-38

(37)  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

(38)  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Mat 12:48-49

(48)  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

(49)  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Mar 10:29-30

(29)  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

(30)  But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Luk 14:26

(26)  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Gal 1:8

(8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal 6:10

(10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Jud 1:3

(3)  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4.  Cults control and manipulate their people.

Mat 16:19

(19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mat 18:18

(18)  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Act 20:28

(28)  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Rom 13:1-7

(1)  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

(2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

(3)  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

(4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

(5)  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

(6)  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

(7)  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

1Th 5:12

(12)  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

2Th 3:4

(4)  And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

1Ti 4:11

(11)  These things command and teach.

1Ti 5:17-19

(17)  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

(18)  For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

(19)  Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Heb 13:7,17,24

(7)  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 (17)  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

 (24)  Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

5.  Cults hold their people through fear.

1Sa 16:4

(4)  And Samuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

Mat 10:28

(28)  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Act 5:11

(11)  And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

2Co 7:15

(15)  And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

Phi 2:12

(12)  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Tit 1:13

(13)  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

1Pe 1:17

(17)  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

6.  Cults say there is no where else to go.

Joh 6:68

(68)  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Joh 10:16

(16)  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Eph 4:4-6

(4)  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

(5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

2Ti 4:3-4

(3)  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;

(4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Heb 12:22-23

(22)  But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

(23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

7.  Cults say that no one else has the truth

Joh 6:68

(68)  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

1Ti 3:15

(15)  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1Jo 5:19

(19)  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

2Jo 1:9-11

(9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

(10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed:

(11)  For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.

2Jo 1:2

(2)  For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.

8.  People receive little or no pay.  (Abuse)

Mat 6:20

(20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mar 10:29-30

(29)  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

(30)  But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Joh 10:12-13

(12)  But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

(13)  The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

9.  People are unable to think for themselves

1Ki 3:7

(7)  And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

Pro 14:12

(12)  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Rom 12:3

(3)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1Co 8:2

(2)  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

2Co 10:4-5

(4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

(5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Gal 1:8

(8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Phi 2:5

(5)  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Phi 4:8

(8)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

10.  Cults are exclusive.

Son 6:9

(9)  My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bore her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

Eph 4:4-6

(4)  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

(5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Act 2:47

(47)  Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

11.  Cults deny one or more core doctrines of the church.

Joh 5:39

(39)  Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Act 17:11

(11)  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

12.  Cults have a distinctive doctrine.

Mat 7:28-29

(28)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

(29)  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Joh 7:46

(46)  The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

1Ti 4:16

(16)  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2Ti 4:2

(2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

13.  Cults say that they are the way to Christ.

Mat 5:13-14

(13)  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

(14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

Mat 28:19

(19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Act 1:7-8

(7)  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

(8)  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Eph 5:27

(27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

14.  Cults say they are the mediators between God and man.

Eze 22:30

(30)  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Joh 9:31

(31)  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Act 8:24

(24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

2Co 5:11

(11)  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

2Co 5:20

(20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Gal 1:15-16

(15)  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

(16)  To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Gal 6:1

(1)  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Jam 5:14

(14)  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

1Jo 5:16

(16)  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Jud 1:23

(23)  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Rev 1:6

(6)  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

15.  Cults are like an iceberg.  You don’t always see what you get.

1Co 2:9-10

(9)  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

(10)  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 13:11

(11)  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

2Co 3:18

(18)  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Heb 5:12-13

(12)  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(13)  For every one that useth milk is unskillfull in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

1Pe 2:2

(2)  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

16.  Cults encourage rigorous study.

Act 17:11

(11)  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1Ti 4:15

(15)  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

2Ti 2:15

(15)  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

17.  People feel guilty for asking questions.

1Ti 1:4

(4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

2Ti 2:23

(23)  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes.

Tit 3:9

(9)  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

18.  Cults dismiss criticism.

Psa 1:1

(1)  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psa 27:3

(3)  Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Mat 12:27

(27)  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

1Ti 5:19

(19)  Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Heb 10:35

(35)  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

2Pe 2:11

(11)  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Jud 1:9

(9)  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Rev 12:10

(10)  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

19.  Cults train people not to think critically.

Pro 3:5

(5)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

1Co 1:25

(25)  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Phi 4:8

(8)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Col 1:23

(23)  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

20.  People are required to sever ties with family and friends.

Mat 10:35

(35)  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Mar 10:29-30

(29)  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

(30)  But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Luk 14:26

(26)  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

21.  Cults keep people busy.

Eph 5:16

(16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Jam 1:25

(25)  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

22.  The truth is arrived at through a closed belief system.

Joh 1:1

(1)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 14:6

(6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 14:23

(23)  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.