DECEPTION NOR MANIPULATION NEEDED

Let me begin this blog with the definition of deception and manipulation.

Deception = the action of deceiving someone, a trick or scheme used to get what you want, a misleading falsehood, misrepresentation.

Manipulation = the skillful handling, controlling, or using of something or someone.

A believer should not want these two words connected to their name, and I believe these two words speak to a person’s trust in God. If a believer has confidence in the Word of God operating in their life and the plan of God for them, all that is needed from them is to yield and follow God’s directives.

The scriptures share many incidents where these negative actions can be seen, and usually, people suffer from them. Such is seen in the stories of Jacob, and Abram and Sarai. 

Before the birth of Jacob, God spoke to his mother Rebekah and said, “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23). So, born first, God destined Esau to serve his twin brother Jacob, who was born after him. Jacob didn’t need to use manipulation to get his brother’s birthright and deception on his father Isaac to get the blessing bestowed on the firstborn. God’s plan of blessing and headship for Jacob’s life would have occurred without his interference. If Jacob had not used these methods, he would have continued to live in his native land, but instead, he needed to leave home because of his actions. Because the saying, “What you sow, you reap,” is true, Jacob reaped deception at the hands of Laban, his father-in-law, while he was in Padanaram. Plus, even after twenty years, he returned home fearing his brother Esau’s wrath, which did not happen because Esau had forgiven him.

Another story of manipulation is that of Abram and Sarai. God had told Abram that he would produce an heir. When years passed, and no child was born to their union Sarai used manipulation and got Abram to have sex with handmaid Hagar. After Hagar became pregnant, the relationship between Sarai and her was destroyed, and Sarai lived to regret her actions.

These are just two examples of deception and manipulation, and the bible is filled with many more. If we are wise, we can learn from the mistakes of others that it is damaging to the person being deceived and manipulated, and it holds consequences for the perpetrator. Additionally, these two actions are fruits of the Spirit of Divination which should not be found operating in the lives of believers, and most of all, God is not pleased when they are working in us. Therefore, I encourage you to pray against them functioning in you and boldly declare, “Deception nor manipulation needed.”