Anyone been in and then left a destructive cult before?

I won't go into details right this minute, but 4 years ago I was recruited into a Christian cult that has consumed my life. I gave up my career, relationships, friendships, so much of my life, for the cause of this group. But then as a result of covid-19 I was afforded extra time that allowed me to think, reassess, and realize that the group had many issues and doctrinal contradictions leading me to conclude that it cannot be the truth. And after many months of spiritual wandering, just recently I've decided that I need to make the move and leave. It's not quite as simple to do that however - I have to find full time work (which I am in the process of doing) before I can leave so I can support myself after leaving the house I'm in (which is a shared house with cult members). But more importantly, I feel spiritually lost, confused, uncertain, unmotivated, and a great sense of loss and other emotions. I am so afraid to embrace a church or even just Christianity, because what if it turns out that that group is also false etc? I don't want to make the same mistake twice. I kind of want to just live life my own way now, and not focus on religion anymore, but I know deep down that I won't be satisfied with that. Perhaps it's just my personality, but I long for certainty and meaning, and the group provided me that certainty and meaning and so without the group, it feels like I have nothing - as the group taught me well about how evil the world is and how corrupt Christianity is, and how only the truth can be found within the group. If you don't know much about cults, then you may wonder why I fell victim to it, but these groups are very sophisticated. So yeah, I am feeling very lost still and just don't know what to do with life right now. I used to be really bright but I've lost so much of who I was. Has anyone else had a similar experience and how did you move forward? thanks

This is a fantastic post. Thank you for sharing!

I haven't been removed from an official cult, but I have been self-removed from my former set of family and friends. Why? They were filled with deception and it was hurting me terribly. These "christians" have always tried to get me to believe that I was no good; that I had no value. I protested!

Though I have not been removed from an official cult, our paths are the same in that we must stop trusting in "men" for the Truth, but God only.

[Jhn 14:26 NKJV] "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

In all Truth, you don't need anyone anymore. What you and I need to do is stop turning to people, but to the Lord and to none other. Pray to God, and tell Him that you expect that in this race of Truth, the Devil will NOT outperform God as the Truth is to be known. This means that you are unlikely to find the Truth in any modern-day "church." There are True Churchs out there . . . somewhere, but I haven't found one as of yet.

https://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SourceOnly=true&currSection=sermonssource&keyword=cliffside

You might check out the link above and listen to what he has to say. So for I like this preacher because he preaches the Doctrine of Spiritual Circumcision, which is the lifting of all impurities brought on by the resulting and unholy "work" of Adam and Eve.

Aside from this, it is vital that you not feel weak nor insecure. These are emotions of the Devil and not that of our Powerful God. Believe in yourself as a good person and hold your head high. Never, never doubt yourself in terms of your self-worth and dignity. Doubt is also a massive tool of the Devil's, for if the Devil can cause us to be doubtful, our doubts will slowly begin to erode and take us to ugly, ugly depths in this world.

You'll be fine. Wait upon the Lord, even when it seems like you have waited long enough, hence the word "endure." Hang in there!

False religion been going on even in Paul's day (After Christ crucifixion) first couple chapters in revelation. Don't feel bad about your choice. Use it to help others. There are many translations but when an organization has there own translation, it is a big red flag. God is not going to rewrite the scriptures as some did in the United States that proclaim to be the truth. That would make a God a liar.

Not all churches are corrupt. No church is perfect, just filled with people who are trying to become more Christ-like. Growing in the word. I avoid any religion that reads from a bible that is only recognized by their religion. I also avoid religion that prays thru another person such as Mary. It's not scriptural. John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Avoid preachers who ask for money and or try to sell you something in order for your prayers to be answered.

Sounds like you really are not spiritually lost but rather found. Apparently, God opened your eyes. Sounds like you have prayed sincerely to God about your concerns and now you can see. Emotions that you feel would be normal. I have experienced similarities like yours.


Get into a good bible study class and you will find out more about what the church is. If you have questions or concerns, let us continue this and we can get into specifics.

It makes sense you'd be leery of sticking with any spiritual group or belief after such an experience. So don't feel guilty for feeling that way.

I would suggest having a few guidelines in mind about things to look out for in a new church. You could use your experiences to add to the list, but here's some I'd suggest...
-if you are guilted/shamed/pressured into obedience, especially to the pastor/church
-if you are encouraged to isolate away from anyone not in your church
-a sense that it us 'us vs them' (that church vs the world).

That's a few examples of what to look out for. A church is there to encourage and feed your walk with God, not dictate how you live or pressure you into service.

Yeah. I got mixed up in a cult once. I was interested in a girl, and the cult sold themselves as Christians, so I started going to their "church".

Trying to talk sense into them was like trying to convince a doctor that vaccines are dangerous. They'd just smile condescendingly, totally ignore whatever you told 'em, and repeat the cult doctrine on whatever topic was being discussed. They were big on believing that speaking in tongues was required for salvation. Leaving them in the end was very much an answered prayer - the girl had grown up in the group, so I wasn't able to extricate her.

Thanks for your posts guys, I appreciate it.

always remember that God's people are very few in number -
MATT. 24:5.
For many shall come in My Name, saying, I Am Christ; and shall deceive many.
LUKE 12:32.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

Great advice. The only problem is, is that the Remnant are the only ones who can understand what you're saying.