What Can We Learn From The Jim Jones Cult?

[Vic]

(05-28-2009 05:24 PM)sheep wrecked Wrote:  My purpose for this thread is to explore the similarities between followers of Jim Jones and in particular, the false movements in Christianity. What tactics did Jones use that are typical of false movements, churches, leaders etc that hold people captive to their systems? Why can't people break free from the obvious issues that threaten to destroy them rather than "save" them?

Interesting questions. What tactics are typically used...

For many, the initial draw is the sense of labeling the hypocrisy and less than Christ like behaviors and attitudes one can find in any church or group of believers. The problem is, and what is lacking, is understanding and knowing the Scriptures well enough to know that these things are going to happen. We were warned Scripturally. There are always going to be those who pay lip service rather than heart service, those who are carnal versus those who walk in the Spirit and so on. The tactic is the proclamation that you don't want to be like "those" hypocrits, pagans, dead christians, etc.

The carrot is you need to belong and be a part of a loving and living it "family". Where everyone really does love God, really does help others, really does give up everything for their beliefs. Then the leader of whatever cult it is, must be able to convey that they are being incredibly scriptural, hence the use and misuse and perversion of Scripture, all the while showing they have this special relationship with God and you can have it to... IF you do the things they say....

--sell everything and move to be close to this leader who claims they are called by God to lead them...give them your money.... It's God's work ...

--agree to uphold that leadership and group no matter what "persecution" there is---meaning anyone that tries to pull you out of said group is ant-christ or the enemy etc ...the leadership always has your best interest in mind and even when harsh it is for the greater good...

--be willing to place that leadership on a pedestal -meaning that it is not Christ they follow but that person--who some would believe is getting direct or new revelation from God...or....they have talked their indoctrination so well, the followers believe that any outsider is merely lost or there to cause harm...

--believe they have the only true faith and all others are deceived, pagan, lost...ego is fed as with all gnostic doctrine....they are the ones who hold the truth,...who alone understand...who alone can receive the truth.

--many feel isolated and alone and the offer of love, friendship, a full life with others of like minds, brings the needed emotional connection --The Way International a prime example...the focus on separating followers and isolating them is viewed as necessary to protect and help them grow spiritually...

--believe that the leadership must be viewed as having the answers...they are needed to discern the truth of the scriptures...to bring in the new and needed understanding...that without them the person would be set adrift...a sheep among wolves...and what they miss is they are already sheep among wolves by their choices which turn them from Christ to that leadership and group.

The conditioning must be such that the followers fully believe that they are walking with and experiencing God more than they ever have before. And that walk means obedience to that leadership because they are there to teach and direct their flock--as God ordained.

What is missed: God is the only one to be on a pedestal. The Holy Spirit was sent to comfort and teach all believers. And the Scriptures are our standard of truth, not some person.

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

No one person holds the Truth. The truth is found in the Scriptures, which must be our standard of Truth. We are all of the royal priesthood---no one is better than another.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

No one is to be elevated as something over others. We walk on a level plain, each with different things God would have us do to fulfill His purposes. We are to follow Christ, and the examples of the apostles---the ones who walked with Christ on this earth.

Ephesians 2:18-22 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

People are being deceived because Jesus Christ is not sufficient in their lives, because they have not understood that it starts with our relationship with Him, which comes with prayer and studying of the Scriptures, where He gives understanding to us. They haven't done their homework, because if they had, they would see the wolves for what they are, instead of thinking they are following other sheep, or wolves masquerading like sheep. And there's the mistake---they are following others to their destruction, instead of the Good Shepherd.

Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: