Questions and Answers About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Wiles of the Devil and Cults

What are the "wiles of the devil" according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the wiles of the devil refer to the subtle and deceptive ways the devil works to confuse Christians and bring God's work in Christ into disrepute. He classifies these into two main groups: general activities and personal individual activities. The general activities include heresies, apostasy (as exemplified in the Church of Rome), schism (wrong division in the church), and cults. The devil uses these tactics with "all his power and subtlety and wiliness" to undermine true Christianity.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe cults are particularly active in modern times?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that cults tend to become more active during times of crisis, trouble, and difficulty as these circumstances give them their opportunity. He also points out that the rise of cults is "a very striking and thorough criticism of the christian church" and "a condemnation of the christian church because of her failure." People turn to cults because they are looking for life, power, and certainty, which they often fail to find in churches preaching liberal modernism or exhibiting "dead orthodoxy."

What test does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is insufficient for determining if something is truly Christian?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically states that the mere test of "doing good" is not sufficient. He refutes the argument that "anything that does good must be of God" or that "anything that makes us feel better must be good." He points out that many non-Christian agencies, such as "Coueism" (positive thinking), psychotherapy, and even physical treatments can make people feel better or help them overcome problems, yet they have nothing to do with Christianity. Using only utilitarian tests is dangerous because "what matters finally and supremely is not how you and I feel, but our relationship to God."

How do cults differ from true Christianity in their methodology according to the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several methodological differences: 1. Cults base their teachings on a formula or idea rather than exposition of Scripture 2. They emphasize personal testimonies rather than doctrinal truth 3. They start with practical application rather than doctrine (unlike the New Testament's "therefore" approach) 4. They rarely mention the Holy Spirit working within believers 5. They lack the "fear and trembling" element of Christianity, displaying instead "glibness" and "self-satisfaction" 6. They emphasize simplicity and claim to be all-inclusive solutions 7. They promise immediate results and offer spiritual shortcuts 8. They focus on solving immediate personal problems rather than bringing people to the knowledge of God

What is the ultimate test for determining if a teaching is truly Christian?

The ultimate test according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones is whether the teaching makes "the Lord Jesus Christ and his death upon the cross and his glorious resurrection an absolute necessity and absolutely central." Any movement or teaching that claims you can receive spiritual blessing without first believing in Christ as the Son of God and Savior is a denial of Christianity. He states: "Any teaching that tells you that you can have any blessing apart from Him is a denial of this self-same truth. Because every blessing that comes to us comes in and through the Lord Jesus Christ."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say we should "hate" the cults?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones says we must hate the cults because they "not only fail at the acid test, but are found even to be opposed to that which is indicated by the acid test." They insult Christ by implying His work is insufficient. He states: "A man who tells me that Christ isn't enough, that he needs another formula, is an insult to Christ." Cults deny Christ's all-sufficiency, suggesting that something beyond Him is needed for spiritual blessing. He believes cults have "no right to exist" because "they're an insult to him" and "There is nothing he cannot give. What is he? He's the alpha and the omega. He's the beginning and the end."

How does a dead orthodoxy contribute to the rise of cults?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "a dead orthodoxy is equally useless and valueless" in preventing people from turning to cults. When people encounter Christians who are "perfectly orthodox but always miserable, always moaning, always complaining about their sins and their failures and do look wretched and unhappy," they naturally look elsewhere. People instinctively feel there should be life and power available in Christianity, and when they don't find it in "dead orthodoxy," they turn to cults that promise vitality and solutions. He notes that "a dead Protestantism is the most wonderful breeding ground for Roman Catholicism as well as the cults."

What is the fundamental difference between the spiritual blessings offered by cults versus true Christianity?

The fundamental difference is that cults start with the individual and their immediate needs (peace, guidance, healing, etc.), while Christianity starts with God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "But what is the gospel method? Unite? Isn't that what is the first thing in the gospel? And the answer is, it is the knowledge of God." Christianity focuses on bringing people to know God, understand His plan, become holy (positively like God, not just abstaining from sin), and anticipate the "hope of glory." Cults focus narrowly on immediate relief and self-improvement, while Christianity offers a relationship with God through Christ that transforms the whole person and gives eternal perspective.