The apostasy of the church 

When it comes to identifying an apostate preacher, it is important to be observant and to pay special attention to the signs mentioned above. These red flags should serve as a warning to those entrusted with the preservation of the faith.

Apostasy among the Church of God is an unfortunate reality and can be hard to spot. The Bible speaks to this in several passages of scripture, which serve as warning signs of an apostate congregation. By recognizing and understanding the below signs, we can pray for discernment and speak up when necessary, to help save our fellow brothers and sisters from walking away from the truth of the Gospel.

1. Greed (Ephesians 5:3). Unfortunately, an apostate church will be full of people interested only in filling their own bank accounts rather than the heavenly ones. The bible speaks of people who have "forsaken the right way and gone astray". They can be easily spotted when selfish desires dominate their speech and behavior.

2. Unbelief (Hebrews 3:12). It’s easy for an apostate congregation to slowly start to doubt the faith. After all, if the focus becomes more on money or other worldly things, disbelief is bound to creep in. Churches that exhibit a lack of faith in God and His will should be taken as a serious red-flag.

3. Unrighteousness (Colossians 3:7). Righteousness is key in a faithful congregation and when it is lacking it can be a telling sign of apostasy. This can manifest in different ways, but generally it looks like a church dismissing the higher standards that God expects of His people in favor of looser regulations or disregard for truth.

4. Idolatry (Exodus 20:3). A true church of God should be entirely devoted to Him and no other. Unfortunately, many apostate congregations will worship false gods or idols in addition to the Lord or even in place of Him. This can be particularly dangerous, as idol worship can lead to serious detainment from spiritual faith.

5. Disregard for the poor (Proverbs 14:31). God is a strong advocate for justice for the less fortunate among us. A true house of faith will give generously to those in need and seek out ways to help. If a church is more focused on their own message and fortunes than that of the poor, it’s likely a sure sign of apostasy.

6. Dissension (Proverbs 6:19). The enemy seeks to divide and conquer, and one of his Chief tactics is the foment of dissension among the congregation. Apostasy often creates a rift between members of a church and can be seen in conversations that fill with dissension and gossip.

7. Lack of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Perhaps not surprisingly, an apostate church is usually one that has slacked of in the discipline of prayer. Without an actively praying and believing congregation, it’s not just the spiritual health of the church that’s suffering, but the members as well.

8. Sabbaths forgotten.

Cults have been around for many centuries, and unfortunately even in this day and age they still exist. Cults are a group of people usually led by one person, who follow particular beliefs and practices that may be considered unconventional or outside of mainstream society. It’s important to recognize the signs of a cult so that people can protect themselves or their loved ones from getting involved with a potentially dangerous group. 

1. The first sign of a cult is that the members of the group will be heavily influenced by the leaders teachings. Cults are often isolationists, meaning that members rely on their leader’s teachings for guidance without questioning it. This can have a deep impact on a person’s beliefs, lifestyle, and values. Further, it can be difficult for outsiders to identify the cult because members are taught to keep the group’s teachings and beliefs confidential. 

2. The second sign is that cults often employ intense brainwashing tactics. Brainwashing is the process of using psychological manipulation and coercion to control someone’s thoughts and beliefs. This is done by controlling the person’s thoughts, beliefs and lifestyle. A cult may impose a certain standard of living on its members, limit the information they can access, or use mind-altering techniques such as chanting to encourage compliance among its members. 

3. The third sign of a cult is that it often has an elitist mindset. Cults often foster an elitist atmosphere, where members view themselves as superior to the rest of society. As a result, it can be difficult to leave the cult because members view leaving as betraying their group. In addition, cults may use fear and intimidation to control their members.

4. The fourth sign of a cult is that it has a strong focus on recruiting new members. Cults aim to increase their membership, and may use aggressive marketing and recruitment techniques to do so. They may also use rewards, such as prizes, gifts, or money, to entice people to join their group. 

The fifth sign of a cult is that its members may exhibit signs of psychological distress. Cults often rely on psychological manipulation, which can have a detrimental effect on its members’ mental health. Cults may have irrational rules, high demands, and a refusal to accept criticism, which can contribute to psychological distress among its members. 

5. In conclusion, cults can be dangerous and damaging to its members. It’s important to recognize the signs of a cult, as they can be hard to see from the outside. Understanding the common signs of a cult, such as manipulation and brainwashing, elitist attitudes, recruitment of new members, and psychological distress, can be essential to protecting yourself from potential danger.