MANIPULATION

The Bible strongly warns against manipulation, as it often stems from deceit, selfish ambition, and a lack of trust in God. Manipulation distorts truth, controls others for personal gain, and goes against God’s call for integrity, love, and honesty.

Manipulation is Rooted in Deceit

Proverbs 26:24-26 (NLT) – “People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.”
2 Corinthians 11:14 (NLT) – “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

Manipulation is a Form of Control & Witchcraft

Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) – “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.” (Sorcery, or witchcraft, in biblical terms, often includes manipulation and control over others.)

God Calls for Honesty & Righteousness

Proverbs 10:9 (NLT) – “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.”
2 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT) – “We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.”

Trusting God Instead of Resorting to Manipulation

Psalm 37:7 (NLT) – “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”
Jeremiah 17:5 (NLT) – “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.’”

Manipulation is a destructive behavior that goes against God’s principles of honesty, love, and trust in Him. Instead of trying to control situations or people, believers are called to walk in integrity, trust in God’s plan, and operate with a heart of truth and righteousness.

God’s Heart on Manipulation

God’s heart is one of truth, love, and righteousness. He desires His people to walk in integrity, honesty, and trust in Him rather than using deceit or control to influence others. Manipulation, which often stems from selfishness, fear, or a lack of faith, contradicts God's character and His call for believers to live with pure motives.

God Desires Truth, Not Deception

Proverbs 12:22 (NLT) – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.”
Psalm 51:6 (NLT) – “But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.”

God detests deception and dishonesty because they lead to broken trust and harm relationships. Instead, He delights in those who walk in truth and sincerity.

God Condemns Manipulation & Control

Micah 2:1 (NLT) – “What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NLT) – “There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”

God sees the heart and motives behind every action. When people manipulate others for selfish gain, they step outside of His will.

God Calls His People to Trust Him Instead of Resorting to Manipulation

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Many manipulate out of fear, insecurity, or a desire for control. But God’s heart is for His children to trust in His guidance and provision rather than taking matters into their own hands through manipulation.

God Calls Us to Walk in Love and Integrity

Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT) – “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (NLT) – “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.”

God's love is pure and selfless. He desires His people to reflect that love in their relationships, avoiding manipulation and choosing honesty, kindness, and integrity.

God’s heart is against manipulation because it is rooted in deceit and control rather than trust and love. Instead of using manipulation, He calls His children to rely on Him, walk in truth, and operate with pure motives. By surrendering control to God, we can live in alignment with His will and experience peace, joy, and true freedom.

Key Scriptures on Manipulation

Proverbs 12:22 – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.”
Micah 2:1 – “What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 – “There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”
Colossians 3:9 – “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.”
2 Corinthians 4:2 – “We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.”
Galatians 6:7 – “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
Jeremiah 17:9 – “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”
Psalm 101:7 – “I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.”

These verses reveal that manipulation, deceit, and control are not in alignment with God's character. Instead, He calls us to walk in truth, integrity, and trust in Him.

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