“THE SPIRIT OF MANIPULATION IN RELATIONSHIPS”

[Pages:36]"THE SPIRIT OF MANIPULATION IN RELATIONSHIPS"

Dr. Kenneth Jones Pastor, Practical Living Ministry

 Nothing Can Impact One's Soundness of Mind Like a Manipulating or Controlling Spirit or Person

Manipulation is the process of one person, group, or organization controlling the way we think, behavior, and act.

God desires that we have a sound mind, calm, disciplined and able to act appropriately in the midst of chaos, trials, tribulations, and strife. Manipulation by others, demonic forces, and the world can hinder us from experiencing a "sound mind"

Topics of Discussion

Church Manipulation Witchcraft Manipulating and the Spirit of Manipulation within Interpersonal relationships (marriage, family,

friendships, and

NOTE: I purposely pursued other authors/teachings in this to protect anyone that I have counseled regarding these issues.

 There is always a "Natural" propensity to do something as well as an Oppressive Spirit, "Pressing" upon an Individual in such a way to control them

Some people are naturally controlling, always endeavoring to be in control out of fear, to gain advantage, to have their own way

Yet there is a manipulative spirit, sometimes utilizing other people that oppresses our spirit in an effort to deceive, distract, control, and incapacitate

Manipulation and Passiveness go hand in hand. The Spirit of Manipulation relies upon the passivity of the person one wishes to manipulate

The Manipulative person or spirit seeks to control people or circumstances to one's own advantage

Manipulation is a type of oppression

the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner Emotional upheaval such as regular outbursts of anger, high and low emotional levels, self-

justification, fear, hopelessness, abnormal fixations, etc

 Produces a negative pattern of thinking Make you Indecisive and doubleminded Keeps you from having a sound, calm, well-disciplined mind Fear and Anxiety Can get you out of your faith Deception & Distraction Separation from God ? i.e. The serpent and Eve One who is being controlled feels the loss of personal identity and

self-esteem

 Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

If you are struggling with understanding what God requires of all of us as believers, well it is defined in this scripture: (Guzik's Commentary)

Do justly:"Act in a just, fair way towards others. Treat them they way you want to be treated." Love mercy:"Don't just show mercy, but love to show it. Give others the same measure of

mercy you want to receive from the Me." Walk humbly with your God:"Remember who I am ? your God. If you keep that in mind, you

will walk humbly before Me."

Okay, what is the purpose of this scripture? To reveal to us that God has a desire and expectation of our behavior to be guided by mercy, justice, and humility.

 "Spirit of Timidity" - means lack of mental or moral strength, timidity (lacking courage, self confidence, boldness or determination). A shameful fear that is generated by weak, selfish character

2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Fear is also a form of self defense,"Fear or Flight." But prolonged and sustained fear can have detrimental effects on our body, soul, and spirit

Dread: to feel extreme reluctance to meet or face; to fear greatly

Dread is defined as being anxious or feeling extreme fear about doing something. To anticipate with anxiety, alarm, or apprehension; fear intensely Exodus 15:16: Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they

shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

 Most manipulation and control is accomplished by deception, withholding, imposing blame through accusation, and fear

Persecution is a type of imposed fear

Acts 8:3: But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

How many Christians today are fearful in sharing the gospel in fear of being ostracized, rejected, or even persecuted by this current culture?

A child that sees his parents fear will also learn or adopt that same fear (Slavery). Manipulation is then worked through avoidance of something

Dread can result from an imposed fear ? an anticipation of harm or unwanted action (punishment, restriction, etc)

 Jezebel caused Elijah to fear

Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying,"So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." (1 Kings 19:1-2).

The Fear of being held accountable - Perceived Fear

Matthew 24: 24, 25: Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download