Here’s part of the equipment to build a firewall against cultic control into your life:
Now we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is partial shall pass away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child; but when I became a man, I put away the things of the child. For now we see through a mirror by reflection, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1Cor 13:9-13
You won’t find this attitude in cult leaders, and neither in their followers.
Let’s start with their followers, as it’s the followers which ‘make’ a cult leader: IF the followers of cult leaders believed the above Scripture, and acknowledged that we all, including their leaders, only prophesy in part and only see dimly, then they would not exalt them to a place of power in their lives, souls and emotions, rather, they would simply relate to them as equal brothers and sisters in Christ.
The upshot of this Scripture is that no leader (real or pretend) is someone you can look to and trust for all the answers, and neither should be related to as such, for that was never God’s intention in Christ Jesus for His Body.
But the hard reality is that millions look to certain men as having ‘the scoop’ on the Christian life and the life of the Church. This goes beyond Godly honor and respect for elders in the faith, into an idolatrous-emotional bondage to someone who seems to have ‘all the answers’.
A key phrase in the above passage is “in part” : ..now I know in part.. Therefore, our relationship to other members of the Body of Christ is only a part of our life. If some brethren are elders to you, know that this vital ministry (serving) is only in part, and a part of your life, and not the whole of your life, as cults practice, thus usurping the Holy Spirit and the Headship of Christ.
Ian Vincent 
November 21, 2008 at 2:33 am
The liberating aspect of these truths is that you don’t need to know everything and have a handle on everything to be an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ, which He is building.
The qualifications for elders are clearly spelled out in 1 Tim. 3 and elsewhere. The main qualification is that they are ‘blameless’ : you can’t fault their Christian life, they are true examples.
A few days back this word came to me:
Matt 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and innocent (harmless) as doves.
Mature saints are wise and harmless. They are safe to be with. They’re not vicious, they don’t suddenly turn on you after having befriended you. They are truly as harmless as a dove, yet very wise.
Even in the hard things which have to be exercised by elders, at times, concerning discipline and even shunning, they are still like doves – gentleness and authority in harmony.