Christians & Secret Societies

A question that I am often asked is should Christians join social clubs, such as the Masons, that are commonly labeled, “secret societies” or “secret fraternal orders”. I have dedicated this time to direct you the reader as to what God’s word says about such groups. After all if my stance is not rooted in the factual and infallible word of God, I have no business answering the above question.


In the city, even in some churches its not hard to find deacons and even some pastors who are apart of the Masons, and other “secret organizations”. Most older people proudly display their medallions on the trunks of their car, while overshadowing their “Jesus” license plates.


First let’s examine how these secret societies are structured, and what they ask of their members, or pledging members.

Any member of a secret society is to have a binding loyalty to all of their “brothers” or “sisters” of the society. For the believer, this ought not to be, for scripture instructs in 2 Corinthians 6:14,15, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Or what accord does Christ have with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” Paul, in this context, is instructing the believers in the church of Corinth, to not be in a spiritual relationship with anyone who is not a believer. “Spiritual relationship” in the context of, a common spiritual enterprise in which the thoughts, goals, methods and practices or the believer and unbeliever will not be the same. In verse 14, Paul refers to an Old Testament prohibition to Israel, that is the work-related grouping of two different kinds of livestock, this scripture reference is Deuteronomy 22:10. In this particular scripture, God commands the Israelites not to plow with an Ox and a Donkey, the reason for this is, in accordance to the dietary laws (Deut. 14:1-8), the Ox was “clean” and the donkey was “unclean”.


Other physical reasons for God forbidding the pairing of the two different animals were; the difference in physical temperament, physical features (i.e. Anatomical make up), and internal instincts would prevent the pair from successfully plowing a straight plow for the preparation of the sowing of the seeds. We should not take away from these scriptures that we are not to talk, converse, or even witness to those who do not believe, but rather, we are not to seek any type of binding relationship with unbelievers. These illustrations are important for the believer to be convinced that these secret societies command that you place your “religious” focal point aside for the success, advancement and the sake of the “brother/sisterhood”, and the fact would remain, the believer would be in a binding relationship with unbelievers, for the “common good” of the group and not the Body of Christ.

Typically activities in these secret orders will detour believers from their God given mission and task here on earth, the Great Commission. Since we live on time that has been graciously given to us by God, we are to be faithful stewards of the short amount of time that we have. Dedicating our time to fraternal orders that make more demands on our time than need be, we as believers should have a heart to do God’s will, and God clearly shows us what his will is for us in His Word, thus Christ spelled it our clearly in the Great Commission.

Lastly, secret societies have philosophies, ideologies and methodologies that are contrary to the Word of God in regards on the issue of Salvation. Generally, these societies dish out a “salvation by works” doctrine, that stirs up it’s patrons to go out and do as many good works as one can possibly can to appease their respected deity. Any believer in Christ should know that we are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone to the Glory of God alone. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 beautifully informs that God chooses those whom He chooses so that He can get the glory, and so that no flesh may glory in His presence. We see in the Old Testament, that Abraham was justified by faith, prior to the work of circumcision, thus showing that salvation has always been and will always be of Grace and not works, lest any man should boast. The dangers of teaching the “salvation by works” doctrine is that one who holds to this teaching can and probably will assume that every individual can and will be saved based on having more good works than bad works, alas, this idea is contrary to scripture. We see in Ephesians 1:3-14 that:

• God the Father did indeed Choose those whom he elected (1:3-6)


• God the Son did indeed make a particular atonement only for those whom the Father chose (1:7-12) and


• God the Holy Spirit is the seal of Salvation only for those whom the Father elected, and for whom the Son did make atonement (1:13-14)

In conclusion, if secret societies were in deed biblical they would first off, not be secret, since the Word of God instructs us to not forsake the assembling of the brethren, secondly, they would not promote the yoking of unbelievers and believers, thirdly they would not advocate services that would detour the believer from their God given task of the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and lastly they would hold to the true biblical stance of salvation by Grace and not works. My stance is rooted in the word of God, and I would encourage believers to be separate from any organization, group, or society that does not hold to the essential teachings of the Christian faith, but rather seek a bible believing Church that does advocate Bible-Centric organizations that promote brotherhood/sisterhood in the faith, accountability, and Godly fellowship.