DTW, "Man misses the point about the message and instead seeks selfish power."  Right on...I also think these preachers prey on people with low self esteems and weak family backgrounds.  In the case of FLDS it is also a racist cult and that also draws in a certain type of POS individuals (members).  They end up getting what they deserve.

skypilot, "...are generally weak spirited people..."  You are right about that and maybe people like that need to be in cults because they fit in with other weak and decieved people (?).

What I have not heard so far is that these 'cults' are part of the great deceiver's plan to keep many souls for himself.  Thats the sad part.  Deceived people look to deceive others.  Same way people who are on the right track want to share salvation.

What gets me is that these asswipes build themselves to be gods in the eyes of their deceived followers and others...then you see the POS individual standing in front of a judge and he is NOTHING.

It is one thing to understand the problem, which is necessary, another to suggest solutions (would Christ put a bullet in anybody's head?), and another to be part of helping people get out of cults.

When we, as believers, are living our lives as directed and guided by the Holy Spirit within us, eager to share the truth of the Gospel of Christ, we can be an effective part of the solution. We can help Christians grow, we can pray for loved ones involved in cults or false religions, among other things. There are always people who are searching for real truth and need only to be shown the Christ of the Bible for the process of salvation to begin.

In His Toolbox,

B4B
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/dcartwright/CMF_FortCarson/

The Bible itself is an anti-deception message but people are always expecting for someone on a pulpit to read it or interpret it for them.  A pastor can guide us regarding the Word and on life as a believer but we also have to do some Bible reading and interpreting ourselves.  Spending just an hour or two on the Bible per week might not do it.

II Timothy 3: 16 & 17 says - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

For example...if the followers of FLDS just read and understood Galatians 5: 16 - 21 they would not be in that cult.  But they allow for Jeffs and other preachers there to do all Bible interpretation for them and that is why they live deceived by cult leaders who are deceived themselves and who fulfill their selfish/earthly desires by keeping many others blind.

Sounds a lot like the prince of darkness himself...doesn't it?  In Mathew 4: 1 - 11, he tried to use the very word of the Father against Jesus and tried to deceive Him into following and serving him.

We need to do a lot of reading on our own and we have to pray for understanding when we do.  If we don't we'll fall for anything someone tries to sell us.  That includes some 'congregations' out there.

The Bible calls us to congregate but it also calls for us to spend a lot of personal time with our Creator.  That will also inoculate us against deception.

"...my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me." He added, after a pause, looking me full in the face: "That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave"

General "Stonewall" Jackson

Many preachers in our day are more like the Pharisees and less like their Savior.

My pastor when he begins his sermons starts off with "Lord use me as your vessel and let it be you and your word speaking and not me."  He also constantly encourages us to study His word and to spend private time in prayer.