The Power of Manipulation

By Tanya G. Liles

 Ever felt like you were being controlled from someone else? That you would do whatever to please them so you didn’t have to fight or argue? Do you like bossing others around, gossip or say hurtful things unto others so you could feel better about yourself? Pretended to be sick just to take the day off from work or get a certain person to do your beck and call?

If the answer above is, “Yes” to any questions, read on.

Manipulation is a learned behavior that is passed down from generation to generation. In its finest form, it is a tool from the enemy to use in everyday life. Most unbelievers and believers alike do this every day without fully realizing it. How can we break this habit and curse? I’ll explain.

Recognize the sin.

By recognizing sin, the root of the problem; in prayer you allow God to search your heart to find anything that isn’t from Him.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:23-24

Ask for forgiveness.

By asking for forgiveness of our sins; we are humbling ourselves before God; showing Him we recognize the sin, and are willing to change.

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14 

Ask God to renew you through His Holy Spirit.

By asking God to renew you, you will walk in the obedience and love of the Holy Spirit.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10 

Read and Study the Bible.

By reading and studying God’s Word for ourselves; we are renewing our minds with His Word, studying to show ourselves approved. The more we are in this habit; the more we recognize sin for what it is.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:2

Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

Apply the Word of God to your life.

In order to be closer with God, we must accept a heart change. Don’t just be a hearer of God’s Word, be a doer. Most Christians “hear” God’s Word, but refuse to accept change.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. – James 1:22-25 

Finally, stay away from people who practice such things.

Once you see for yourself what manipulation is; you will refuse to be around such people. Their negativity will not only make you fall back into bondage; but oppression from the enemy will come in like a flood. Remember the saying, “Misery loves company.” Pray for those who refuse to see their sins for what they are. Keep yourselves humble and pure in heart, knowing that by doing such; you will keep yourselves free from the enemy’s lies.

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more. – Psalm 10:17-18