The spirit of manipulation and control is very common in the world. It is a spirit that aims to get its way through manipulation and eventually controlling people. The spirit of manipulation and control is an evil spirit that wreaks havoc in people’s lives. It aims to kill, steal, and destroy people and their destinies. It steals peace, causes chaos and confusion, and leaves many people hurt, angry, and bitter. It is a thief and a destroyer.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10.
This spirit of manipulation and control is rooted in deception, whose aim is to subvert the will of another person. It is an evil force that tries to go against the will of people using lies. It is a form of oppression that starts very subtly but with time leads to a lot of hurt and destruction. The enemy is very crafty; initially, he appears like an angel of light but hidden beneath are evil motives meant to ruin people’s lives. Beware of manipulators; nothing good comes out of such people.
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44.
An encounter with a person operating from the spirit of manipulation and control leaves one confused, hurt, angry, and bitter. It is a bad experience that has the potential to ruin a person’s life, unless God intervenes. A manipulating and controlling person starts off well to try and gain the trust of the other person. Such will appear kind, humble, and loving in the beginning, but all that is a mask meant to gain trust and gain entry into another person’s life. With time however, the mask falls off and the true personality comes out eventually.
The spirit of manipulation and control is a lying spirit, a spirit that aims to dominate or have power over another person’s will and actions. In an attempt to gain power and dominance, such uses all manner of lies to gain an upper hand over another person. It is a condescending spirit, arrogant, disdainful, and very demeaning. A person with the spirit of manipulation and control is usually very proud, but that pride is usually a mask to hide deep-seated insecurities. Instead of confronting their insecurities and working on themselves to become better, they mask their insecurities with pride, arrogance, and haughtiness.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18-19.
Instead of being honest and upfront, the spirit of manipulation and control makes people use all types of tricks to get what they want, at the expense of another person. It is a selfish spirit that seeks only its own way, regardless of the extent of destruction it leaves along the way in the lives of other people. A person being manipulated may not initially understand what is going on as the other person may initially appear humble and loving, not realizing that that is just a mask. By the time the person realizes they are being manipulated, most are usually in very deep and have invested a lot. The amount of investment makes such a person try to salvage the situation, but it only gets worse; such end up being used, abused, and mistreated in all types of ways.
A person operating in the spirit of manipulation and control is usually very disrespectful. They tend to treat other people as things to be used or as a means to an end, instead of treating them as human beings who deserve respect. Such lack love in their hearts; some of their acts which might seem loving are used as a way to entice and manipulate the other person. Such operate in mockery, are full of contempt, insulting, and crafty. They will stay as long as their needs are met, and during that duration, they leave a trail of destruction and pain in people’s lives. May God protect us from such people.
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19.
If you are under the oppression of the spirit of manipulation and control, pray for God to deliver you and set you free. The first step is recognizing what you are dealing with so that you know how to fight and the steps to take. In addition, it is important to forgive the person who has been trying to manipulate you. Control and manipulation can leave deep wounds, hurt, and bitterness, and it is therefore important to deal with such so that they do not hinder your relationship with God. Choose to forgive and pray for God to protect you. On the other hand, if you are a person who operates from the spirit of manipulation and control, pray for God to deliver and set you free and forgive you for the pain you have caused in other people’s lives.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32.
One of the ways to protect yourself from this evil spirit of manipulation and control is by being able to discern the spirits. Pray for God to give you the ability to discern the spirits and the intentions of men. When you have discernment, then you will be able to judge people well with righteous judgment, no matter how much they try to conceal their intentions. Feed your mind with the word of God and put on the full armor of God, for that is the best way to protect yourself against attacks from the devil.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.
When you notice that you are dealing with a person operating from the spirit of manipulation and control, choose to walk away as soon as possible. It usually does not get better; the longer you stay in such a situation, the more you lose, and in the end the cost might be too much for you. Pray for strength to remove yourself from situations that do not serve you and that are no longer healthy for you. Remember, if you are dealing with someone and you feel confused or feel like there is something wrong, most likely you are being manipulated. Do not start doubting yourself in such situations. Pray for God to lead, deliver, and protect you.
Blessings.
Get my free guide: How to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply. Click Here to download.
Lessons from my single season: For the single Christian women. Click Here to get the free download.
To watch YouTube Videos, Click Here. Remember to subscribe to my channel.
To listen to the podcast, Click Here.
