在2023年，肯亞警方介入並終止了所謂的「沙卡赫拉森林大屠殺」。在這起事件中，有數百人為要見到耶穌，便聽從一個邪教領袖的指示而絕食致死。該領袖曾聲稱，等他的追隨者先行離世後，他也會以同樣方式離開人世。但他被捕之後，卻矢口否認這些教導。

這令人震驚的悲劇警惕我們，盲目相信那些自稱是「屬靈領袖」的人是多麼危險！那些邪教成員對這位領袖的謊言堅信不疑，甚至抵抗那些來救他們免於餓死的人。一名倖存者形容自己對該領袖的教導「上癮」了。

耶穌基督才是真正值得你我信靠的領袖！祂深愛著我們，甚至甘願為我們捨命，好使我們得生命（帖撒羅尼迦前書5章10節）。祂呼召我們為祂而活，「總要警醒謹守」（6節），並察驗其他人的教導是否符合祂的真理（20-22節）。

我們不是藉著傷害自己或別人，來回應基督的愛，而是要「彼此勸慰，互相建立」（11節）；「彼此和睦」（13節）；「或是彼此相待，或是待眾人，常要追求良善」（15節）。在我們熱切等候基督的再來時（23節），我們可以天天倚靠聖靈（19節），活出充滿愛的生命。

In 2023, Kenyan police intervened to end what’s being called the “Shakahola Massacre”—in which hundreds died after following a cult leader’s directions to starve themselves to meet Jesus. The leader had allegedly promised he too would leave earth in this way after his followers did. After his arrest, he denied ever teaching this.

The tragedy is a troubling example of how dangerous it is to blindly trust those claiming to be spiritual leaders. Cult members were so deceived that they resisted those who came to save them from starvation. One survivor described getting “addicted” to the leader’s teachings.

Jesus Christ is the true leader of those who trust in Him. He loved us so much He was willing to die for us to have life (1 Thessalonians 5:10). He calls us to live for Him, “awake and sober” (v. 6) and to test any teaching of others against His teaching (vv. 20-22).

We respond to Christ’s love not by harming ourselves or others but by “encourag[ing] . . . and build[ing] each other up” (v. 11). By living “in peace with each other” (v. 13) and striving “to do what is good for each other and for everyone else” (v. 15). Through daily reliance on and trust in Christ’s Spirit (v. 19), we can live a life of love as we eagerly await Christ’s coming (v. 23).