CONFRONTING THE CULTIST

Begin an Encounter with Prayer

Always try to pray with them, or in their presence, whenever possible. It is best not to ask them for permission to pray with them, so as not to give them an opportunity to say "yes" or "no". You might begin by saying something like this:- "I never like discussing things about God or religious matters without first talking to Him about it, so let's pray and ask for God's wisdom and blessing upon our discussion". Then, IMMEDIATELY begin to pray! Many will not pray with you if you offer them the opportunity, but there are few people who will interrupt another person's prayer, regardless of how much they may disagree with you. When praying with a cultist, try to be sensitive to the terminology you use to address God, especially to a Jehovah's Witness! In this case, you could begin your prayer by addressing "Yahweh God" (note that 'jehovah' is a false translation of God's name and means nothing in Hebrew!). You can then thank God that He has revealed Himself totally in the person of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Also, thank God in your prayer for His Holy Spirit whose ministry it is to guide and lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Pray also that God's Spirit of Truth would prevail in the conversation. Beginning with prayer gives you an opportunity to subtly set the tone for the meeting and to say some things about God and Christ that would be difficult to say otherwise.

Establish Some Common Ground

Before entering into your dialogue and discussion, try at first seek to establish some common ground, preferably the inspiration and authority of the Bible. If this is not possible, then try to establish the personality of God - that He is a person and not some impersonal 'force'. This is because most cultists, especially the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, come armed with briefcases full of their own material. Most of the time they are better versed on their material than is the average Christian. So try to agree to stick to the bible! Confine yourself to the 'primary' source, not some other 'secondary' source. Also, when quoting from or reading from the Bible, make sure that you use a version that is a recognized, accepted, and widely used in the church at large. For example, the RSV, KJV, NKJ, RSV, NIV etc. If you do use 'their version', know its weaknesses and inaccuracies ahead of time. This is especially true in the case of the New World Translation used by the Jehovah's Witnesses - which was changed to confirm to their peculiar doctrines! Finally, be careful NOT to quote isolated scriptures. Otherwise you will just be chasing 'theological rabbits' down bottomless burrows! Most cultists are masters at this, and consequently they will often quote verses out of context to try to prove their point. Many a "shaky" Christian has been won to a cult by this ploy.


Be Careful about Your Attitude

On the one hand, don't have an attitude of timidity and inferiority (2nd Timothy 1:7) or on the other hand, an attitude or pride and superiority (2nd Corinthians 10:1). From the beginning, do everything possible to make the person relaxed, comfortable, at ease and not on the defensive. An attitude of real friendliness can go a long way in disarming a cultist because he is prejudiced and defensive against evangelical Christians from the outset. One good way to disarm him is to acknowledge the things in his life and practice that are exemplary. For example his zeal, dedication, sacrifice, etc. Remember how St. Paul approached the men of Athens? He said, "I perceive that in every way you are very religious" (Acts 17:22). He didn't begin by saying - "You great bunch of idolatrous heathens are going to hell for your heresy and apostasy!". So try and use a loving and positive approach. Most importantly, reach out to them in real 'agape' love (which is a practical desire to help love; and a Fruit of the Holy Spirit). Seek to befriend them and try to establish a relationship with them that will can drive a wedge into their beliefs. Make sure that you see them as human creatures who are created in the image of God, and not as infidels who need to have their spiritual scalps lifted! And remember, many of these people have found in their belief and particular fellowship, degrees of personal and social acceptance that they have perhaps never known before. Therefore, as a Christian, if you are going to reach them, you are going to have to show them a degree of love, warmth, interest, concern and acceptance at least as great as - or possibly even greater than - that which they experience in their particular group. So, if you really love them with Christ's love, it will drive that important wedge into their thinking. In their minds they will think, "How can this person be such a friendly and loving person and not share my beliefs?" or, "How can this person accept me and yet reject my beliefs?". Remember, most cultists have been coerced with the idea that anyone who opposes their beliefs is motivated by the Devil. Your loving attitude towards them will go a long way towards destroying, or casting doubt upon this belief and prejudice. Finally, be tough but tender. DON'T COMPROMISE GOD'S TRUTH. But rather, speak the truth in love (Ephesians 3:15). Above all, don't be so tactful that you stretch the truth, or so ruthlessly truthful that you are not loving. Through prayer, bathe God's truth in God's love and then speak it.