How To Cult-Proof Your Faith
^{Philippians 3:17-4:1}

Know Your Enemy:
^{Matthew 13:24-30 / John 8:44/ 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 & 1 Corinthians 10:20/ Matthew 7:15-16}

• The most dangerous enemy is the one that looks like a friend.

• Satan’s goal isn’t to make us evil – it's to keep us from Christ.

 

Today’s Passage:  Enemies or Citizens?
^{Philippians 3:17-4:1}

Enemies claim to be followers of Jesus. But their. . .  (vs 17-19)

Destiny = Destruction     God = Stomach
Glory = Their Shame     Focus = Earthly Things

Those who follow God (called “citizens of heaven”): (vs 20-21)

Trust Jesus to make them right with God.

Why is this such a big deal?

By raising the bar with man-made rules – the enemy keeps people from God.

By turning religion into a set of rituals & rules – the enemy fills us with pride.
        ^{Luke 18:9-14}

How To Cult-Proof Your Faith

Watch Out For Those Who. . .

1.  Devalue the cross.
^{Philippians 3:18 (enemies of the cross)/ John 19:30/ Galatians 2:21 & 3:1-5}

2. Focus more on what we eat than who we are.
^{Philippians 3:19 (their god is their stomach)/ Mark 7:1-23/ 1 Timothy 4:1-10/ Colossians 2:20-23}

3. Breed an attitude of elitism and pride.
^{Philippians 3:19 (their glory is their shame)/ Isaiah 64:6/ Proverbs 6:16-17 & Luke 18:9-14}

4. Focus on brand new insights and special teachers.
^{1 Corinthians 3:1-4/ Acts 17:11/ Galatians 1:6-9/ Deuteronomy 18:21-22}

Never confuse a victim of the Enemy with the Enemy himself!
^{2 Timothy 2:24-26}