There is really only one test that is necessary to identify a cult.
Is there a leader who directs more attention toward himself and the goals of his kingdom on earth, his church or whatever, etc, than to the Lord Jesus Christ?
And sometimes this is very subtle. I would say that most of the churches today fail this one test. A cult is defined as a religious body that takes the believer away from the one true God; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The following of any cult will take you to hell. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. He will look like a sheep. He will look harmless. All pastors look harmless.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Denying the power is denying the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power, as described throughout the bible. Most churches do not understand nor do they teach the Holy Spirit. Therefore they have no protection against the enemy; no power against the enemy. When you cannot listen to the Holy Spirit you will fall easy prey to any false gospel. If you believe you are going to use your intellect, as in the understanding of the scriptures, you will be sadly mistaken. Satan is much older and smarter than you could ever be. You will fall without the Holy Ghost.
Don’t take my word for it. Go to the Holy Ghost. If your preacher doesn’t teach you how to go to God, then he is just feeding you his own message, and you are gobbling it up, hook, line, and sinker. I am not talking about going to God with your prayer requests, like your church teaches. This is going to God with your own agenda. I am talking about going to God and waiting on him. God wants you to follow his lead. He will not follow you. You must follow Jesus, not a man who you believe is following God, as the church teaches. You cannot put your entire trust of your life in a man. If you don’t put your trust directly to God, you are dead.