Witnessing to Cultists  by Agusta Harting

Many books are available on today's market that deal with the incredibly difficult subject of how to share Jesus Christ with cultists. Some books are excellent while others just border on wishful thinking. Some are even written by those who have never been "in the trenches", so to speak, trying to reach the cultist for Christ.

We have had thousands of people in the last 23 years of ministry ask: "how do I win my cultist friend (or relative) to Jesus Christ?" Following are just a few suggestions you might consider before you strike out and share the Gospel with a cultist:

1. Always be sure you know you are saved and where to find verses in the Bible to prove your assurance. If you don't know, then you are just like "the blind leading the blind". Get a good, clear Gospel tract and memorize the salvation scriptures in it.

2. If the person you are trying to reach knows you, are you living a life that reflects what you profess to believe? A Mormon won't respect you if you smoke and drink beer and booze. A Jehovah's Witness won't respect you if you are immoral, swear, or go to questionable movies, etc. We read in Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

3. Get to know the people in your church who are the most faithful prayer intercessors. The Bible says in James 5:16: "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much". Be persistent in praying for cultists yourself and don't give up even though it might seem hopeless. Cultists are literal artists at hiding their true feelings, and most are too fearful to display any mistrust of their cult.

4. Get to know the main and most important errors that this particular cultist believes. For instance, you should know the main message of the Jehovah's Witnesses or know the difference between the god of Mormonism and the God of the Bible. The more you know, the better you will be able to help your friend understand the true Gospel. We have been commanded to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15). So don't get lazy! You will be surprised how good it feels to learn your own faith in the process of defending it from the cults who are forever attacking it!.

5. Don't "tell it all" at first. Remember that cultists are going to interpret any negative comment about their cult as "persecution!". Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in how much to tell. However, never be afraid to tell any truth you know from the Bible. The more the better! God's Word is the only thing that will set the cultist free! Share it liberally! Even though the cultist pretends to be a great "Bible scholar", he most likely has never understood the Gospel of God's grace!

6. Never lose your temper! 2 Tim 2:24-26 says: "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will". Yes, it can get very frustrating to deal with cultists, but never forget that somebody took the time and effort to share the truth with you! You understand the Gospel and the truth of biblical doctrines only by God's grace and the revelation power of the Holy Spirit.

7. Please, don't rush the cultist. He has so much to lose. Friends, family, property, employment, familiarity, his entire support system, etc. have been lost to so many people we know who have left cults. Some have even lost their lives. However, keep reminding them of Jesus' promise to give them so much more! In Matt. 19:29 we read: "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life". How is that for a promise? We know that in this life it is sheer agony to lose loved ones who might no longer be allowed to even speak to you, but eternity is quite a bit longer than our short time here on Earth.

8. Don't push for the "sinner's prayer". God will reveal Himself to the cultist in His perfect timing! The cultist has to digest and unlearn so many things. Not to mention dealing with all the terrific pressure from his fellow cultists! Even if he pulls away from you for awhile, make sure that he knows that you are on his side. Make sure that you are available ANYTIME, day or night! More than once, we have had to talk with a tearful cultist at two and three in the morning! Remember that you are dealing with a soul, not a programmed computer! Pray for and WITH the person you are trying to rescue. It was SO comforting to me when my dear friend and mentor, Dick Baer, prayed with me on the phone all the way from California.

THE WITNESSING CORNER
Here is a tip for sharing the Deity of Christ with the Jehovah's Witnesses. When the JW asks you: "Isn't it true that Jehovah is greater than Jesus? He immediately quotes John 14:28: "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."

We suggest that you thank them for showing this to you. Then happily point out that the word for "greater" is "meizon" in Greek, and means greater positionally, not "better by nature". The president of the United States is greater than we are by virtue of his position, but we are all equal in our humanity. If Paul the Apostle wanted to say that Jehovah was better by nature, he would have used the word "kreitton", which indicates a superior nature. Go tell them!