Lord, Am I in a Cult?

By Amy Mayfield Wharton

Can you imagine being deceived and manipulated by someone that supposed to have your best interest in mind? Can you imagine putting so much trust and faith in a person to the point he/she has been made an idol? Can you imagine being in a place where you thought you were serving God, but when the blinders come off in reality man was being served? Can you imagine belonging to a church that the leader has turned into a cult? I can. How could I be sitting under a false prophet in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15 KJV)? Why didn't I see the fruit of this leader (Matthew 7:16 KJV)? So many broken marriages, broken families, and adultery was the reputation of this ministry. When my eyes were opened to the truth, I knew it was time to get out. That's when it seemed my whole world was turned upside down. It felt as though I was fighting for my life. I began to get ostracized, criticized, talked about, gaslighted, mentally abused, emotionally abused, and this leader had subtle divided my home. I had to hold on to God for dear life. O Lord, could I overcome this brokenness? O Lord, could I overcome this deceitfulness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887319148

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Foreword

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1: Even If You Have to Stand All by Yourself

Chapter 2: When Standing Is Not Easy

Chapter 3: Though He Slay Me

Chapter 4: Loving God

Chapter 5: Knowing God

Chapter 6: Always Pray

Chapter 7: Trust God

Chapter 8: God's Glory

Chapter 9: The Transition

Note

cover.jpg

Lord, Am I in a Cult?

Amy Mayfield Wharton

Copyright © 2023 Amy Mayfield Wharton

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2023

ISBN 979-8-88731-913-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88731-914-8 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Foreword

My wife and I have had the privilege of knowing Amy Mayfield Wharton for over twenty-three years.

She has always had a meek spirit and is soft-spoken but will allow God to use her in a mighty way. God has transformed her to pray, intercede, and love unconditionally. He (Jehovah) has given her wisdom and knowledge beyond her years.

Over the years, we have watched Amy's growth in her walk with God. She has grown into a woman of God who chooses and submits to the ways of God even when it's not easy. She is a loving wife and the mother of three dynamic children and has a precious new grandbaby. Amy has multiple degrees in early childhood education. After accepting her call to the ministry, she continued her education and graduated from the Church of God in Christ Academy. Her thirst for the truth in this changing world with its uncertainty is uplifting and admirable. She genuinely wants people to know the tactics of the enemy and discern false doctrine. Her grace and temperament are one of the great redeeming qualities.

This book, which is a must-read, derives from her genuine thirst and knowledge of God's plan for her life. This publication will heal and deliver many. The empowerment readers are going to receive will be mind-blowing. It will literally help so many see the truth and become free from bondage. We are so glad this book is saying what many people have wanted to say but couldn't find the words to explain what they are thinking or experiencing. This book also says what some are afraid to come out and say. Read this book, and be encouraged to stand for righteousness and to use the gifts and tools that are available to all God's children.

We are extremely honored to forward this life-changing book. It will open the eyes of the captive and help many people to live in peace and freedom.

—The Zion Deliverance Center Worldwide

Bishop R. C. Bullock, Founder and Senior Advisor

Elder Sue Bullock, Director of Women's Dept. and Crusade Administrator

Dedication

Iwould like to dedicate this book to my mom.

You have been there through my ups and through my downs. I remember a song you used to sing to me as a child that said, I will be all right. Just as long as I know you're doing fine. Well, Mommy, baby girl is better than fine.

Do you know how much I love you, Mom? Bigger than the whole wide world.

Introduction

There are so many believers that feel bound while in church. The words bound and believers shouldn't have any connection. But bound is the way you may feel while being a member of a church where the pastor is abusive. This is the way I felt when under the leadership of an abusive, manipulative, and dictating pastor. When I first realized (discerned) that my former leader's behavior was characteristic of spiritual abuse, I wondered how that could be. Isn't this the person that is supposed to watch over my soul and lead by example? But just like any other person, pastors can be skilled in persuasion (manipulation) to the point it's as though you are under a spell. Remember manipulation is a form of witchcraft. It is important for believers to study the Word of God, pray, and have the Holy Spirit to recognize corruption from the pulpit.

Being able to identify spiritual abuse can be tricky. Think about abuse of a child in the natural. When a parent disciplines a child by not sparing the rod, that does not make the parent abusive (Prov. 13:24). Abuse is when the parent has crossed the line. So there are things (signs) to look for—the same is true with our spiritual leaders—signs such as a track record of broken relationships (in other words, a person or people that leave are always the problem according to the leader); signs such as the leader has a way with words to make a person feel guilty if a church service is missed; and signs such as gaslighting, ostracizing, or yelling when upset.

So many had warned me that were past members. My family and friends tried to awaken me. I listened to none of them because the pastor knew the Word and preached so well. Remember that even Satan knows the Word. It took me a while to see the truth, because when a person is taught/told the same thing over and over, they can believe it. I was being trained to see things just as my leader. This is a form of brainwashing. From my perspective, only my leader's view of the Word, family life, finances, etc. was truth. But once God opened my eyes, things became so clear. When a leader begins to commit obvious wrongdoing, behave in a manner against what has been taught to the congregation, and say things that make absolutely no sense and dare anyone to question decisions, these should raise red flags.

This book is a book of experience, perseverance, growth, and healing. Through this experience, God has also shown me His character. He is a God of deliverance, restoration, and safety. There is no one like God.

Chapter 1

Even If You Have to Stand All by Yourself

—Genesis 6:9 KJV

In the days of Noah, the earth had become very corrupt. There remained only one person