Dynamics Of Spiritual Deception

Years ago my wife and I were part of a congregation that fell into the depths of spiritual deception and became cultic. The events of those days led to the ruin of many lives. Most shocking was the number of students from evangelical backgrounds who were so easily deceived. How did this happen? What were the spiritual principles involved that led to such a great tragedy? It is my conviction that the account of this congregation and the review of the principles involved in their deception will prevent the same thing from occurring elsewhere. May those who read this learn to guard themselves against the Dynamics of Spiritual Deception.

For almost 10 years every waking moment of Jennifer's life was a nightmare. This is her story. Jennifer didn't hold up a sign asking to be lured into a cult. Instead, she followed in the footsteps of everyone she loved and trusted-her aunt, her mother, her sister. All had joined the group before she did. Her hunger for approval from a father figure completed her fall into the control of a seemingly kind and charismatic cult leader who turned into an abusive tyrant. He told her how to live, how to think, even how to pray, and nearly stole her soul. But even he could not prevent her eventual awakening to God's light and love breaking into her utter darkness through surprising people and circumstances. Pushing Back the Darkness is a gripping read you won't be able to put down. But it goes beyond Jennifer's personal story to explain cult dynamics, to help you identify harmful groups, and gives real-world advice and resources for helping someone exit a spiritually damaging group. Bonus features include: *Warning signs of abusive groups/cults *How mind control works *Tips for recovering from a cult experience *How to cult-proof yourself or someone you love *and much more. For all who want to understand cults, help loved ones exit a cult, and assist them in putting their lives back together. Far more than simply recounting Jennifer's amazing ordeal, it is a testimony to God's redemptive love and grace.-MARC A. DUPONT, Conference speaker and author of Toxic Churches and other books. Shocking and enlightening. May the Lord use this book to bring hope, freedom, and healing to many ensnared in religious cults and also to educate the Body of Christ to minister with discernment, compassion, and grace.-LARRY KREIDER, International Director of DOVE International, Lancaster County, PA; author of over 30 books. Riveting. Portrays a slow web of deception, control, misuse of Scripture, and, worst of all, abuse. Sadly, stories like this are all too common. The best part of Pushing Back the Darkness is that this one has a happy ending.-BARRY WISSLER, Sr. Pastor of Ephrata Community Church. Offers practical help and perspective for those who are in, have been in, or are helping those in cults.-JIMMY NIMON, Executive Director, Gateway House of Prayer.

For almost 10 years every waking moment of Jennifer's life was a nightmare. This is her story Jennifer didn't hold up a sign asking to be lured into a cult, instead, she followed in the footsteps of everyone she loved and trusted. Family members had joined the group before she did. Her hunger for approval from a father figure completed her fall into the control of a seemingly kind and charismatic cult leader who turned into an abusive tyrant. He told her how to live, think and even how to pray, and nearly stole her soul. But even he could not prevent her eventual awakening to God\'s Light and love breaking into her utter darkness through surprising people and circumstances. Pushing Back the Darkness is a gripping read you won\'t be able to put down. It goes beyond Jennifer\'s personal story to explain cult dynamics, to help you identify harmful groups, and gives real-world advice and resources for helping someone exit a spiritually damaging group. Bonus Features include: Warning signs of abusive groups/cults, how mind control works, tips for recovering from a cult experience, how to cult proof yourself or someone you love and much more. Far more than simply recounting Jennifer's amazing ordeal, it is a testimony to God's redemptive love and grace. - Marc A. Dupont Conference speaker and author of Toxic Churches and other books Shocking and enlightening. May the Lord use this book to bring hope, freedom, and healing to many ensnared in religious cults and also to educate the Body of Christ to minister with discernment, compassion and grace. - Larry Kreider International Director of DOVE International, Lancaster County, PA; author of over 30 books For all wo want to understand cults, help loved ones exit a cult, and assist them in putting their lives back together.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. John 10:10a NKJV Satan is the god of this world (see 2 Corinthians 4:4 and 1 John 5:19), is the “father of lies” (see John 8:44), and his job description is to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” In order to achieve his aims, he most often lies to us and deceives us. Satan often disguises his forces to make them look like natural problems so you’ll fight them with natural weapons. But you cannot fight a spiritual foe with natural weapons but with spiritual weapons, i.e. speaking God’s word to the devil and his demons. Unfortunately satan can disguise himself as an “angel of light,” so it is possible to be deceived by an innocent and apparently correct Christian teaching (see Matthew 24:4, 24:5; Mark 13:5, 13:6; and Luke 21:8). Often these inaccurate or incomplete teachings focus on God’s love and blessings (thus appealing to our flesh and so lead us astray (see Mark 13:22 and 1 Timothy 4:1) and do not mention His greatness, or our need to obey Him and have a reverential fear of Him. This book aims to help reveal satan’s lie and deception strategies and so empower Christians to live the Christian life that God intended. “Great book, interesting and well written based on solid evidence, documented, and not on flights of fancy or fanciful digressions or comforting in a fantastic book where you can find and discover the birth of the religion best known to the world. Through the dialogue structure, the reading is easier even if the terminology is researched and complex. At first glance it may seem pedantic, but you will be fascinated by the events described that so well dot the book.” -- Kalyan Panja , Booktica - Book Reviews

This book is about spiritual deceit the invisible enemy that has become a part of our nature. It is about that which is hidden in the hearts of man connecting him with the desires of his flesh. Since the fall of man and having been infected by a sinful nature, we struggle even to become aware of the working of this inquity that is out of control. This book reveals to us the blindness and influence that is the result of not accepting the fact that we must struggle spiritually in every area of our lives to overcome deceit and starting within. We can not accomplish this without the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Deception is the most powerful force against mankind and until we realize that we are in spiritual warfare, our perceptions of life will remain dim and confused. God hates deception even the practice of it for any reason. (Galatians 6:7, KJV)

Evangelicals, argues Wells, have largely lost the truth that God also stands outside all human experience, that he still summons sinners to repentance and belief regardless of their self-image, and that he calls his church to stand fast in his truth against the blandishments of the modern world.