Manipulation – Witchcraft 101

MANIPULATION IS WITCHCRAFT 101

Let us look in detail at the mechanism which this type of witchcraft employs. There are primarily three things that indicate the practice of rebellion which is witchcraft. Those three things are MANIPULATION, INTIMIDATION, and DOMINATION. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember those three words. Whenever you see these things being utilized, an act of rebellion (which is witchcraft) is being committed. They cast a spell on you.

When we consider the stereotypical witch involved in the spell casting, we see that she/he uses potions (i.e. chemicals), incantations, evil spirits, etc., in order to force their will on another person. Whether it is a “love potion,” “hex,” or a “curse” they are trying to override someone else’s will. Manipulation, intimidation, and domination act in a similar way to cast a spell on another person. It is more subtle than the stereotype, but the results are the same. A person’s free will has been violated.

MANIPULATION

Manipulation may be the most subtle of the three. Manipulation differs from persuasion in that it tries to override a person’s decision. Persuasion will try to change a person’s mind. Manipulation causes someone to do something that they would not do under normal circumstances.

People use guilt, fear, embarrassment, sympathy, etc. to get someone to do something that they would not otherwise do. You may have heard someone say, “They made me feel guilty so I…” did what the other person wanted.

People will also play on the sympathy of others in order to manipulate them. There are legitimate needs and sympathy has a proper place. But when someone deliberately uses another person’s compassionate heart as a means to manipulate them into complying with their will, it is witchcraft.

Even fear can be used to manipulate. This happens all too often in churches when ministers intentionally instill fear of hell or the tribulation into their congregation in order to manipulate them into reciting the sinners prayer or attending church more regularly. Of course, hell and the tribulation are terrible things but the awful truth of these things can be presented without the premeditated use of fear as a means to manipulate people.

Watch out when someone is telling you that you should be doing something, or you owe something to them. This is often the sign of the manipulator. So often Christians use the Bible as a means of manipulation. They show you one Scripture out of context to prove that you should be doing something. The Holy Spirit never uses force or pressure. He always suggests (conviction) things and allows you to make a free decision.

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:18)

 INTIMIDATION
Intimidation is another means of employing this subtle brand of witchcraft. Intimidation very often comes in the form of bullying or threats. Just because someone has the capacity to push someone else around whether physically, emotionally, financially, or otherwise does not mean that they have the authority to make that someone abide by their will.

Many people who possess strong and dominant personalities cross the line from a God-given ability to lead into an ungodly intimidation. These people often seem intimidating to others simply by virtue of their personality. But all too often these people abuse their gift and deliberately intimidate others into compliance with their wishes.

DOMINATION
Domination is the third and most obvious of the three. This occurs many times in criminal acts such as rape, murder, or kidnapping. Domination is, however, not limited to these examples. Other forms of domination would be spousal abuse, an employer wrongfully terminating an employee, the use of a “date rape” drug, or any abuse of authority that forces someone to comply with the abusers will. You will find that this type of witchcraft is manifested any time that someone forces their will on someone else leaving them absolutely no choice whatsoever.

LEGITIMATE OR ILLEGITIMATE
Let us be careful not to confuse legitimate authority with illegitimate authority. Consider the following when attempting to discern legitimate authority:

(1) Legitimate authority attempts to persuade through presentation of facts or good salesmanship. Illegitimate authority attempts to manipulate in order to get its own way and override someone else’s choice.

(2) Legitimate authority is a strong influential leader. Illegitimate authority is a bully who intimidates in order to make someone do his bidding.

(3) Legitimate authority is a police officer who arrests and imprisons a criminal offender. Illegitimate authority is wrongfully and unduly forcing the abusers will on an innocent person.

One area where people cross the line into witchcraft is in their marriage. They get married with the idea that they can change their spouse. But only God can change people, and even He will not do it against their will. When entering marriage, people need to carefully consider their spouses ways. They will not change unless they want to.

EXAMINE YOURSELF
Witch hunts are unacceptable. Do not use the information in this article to seek out witches under every rock. Rather, look for the practice of witchcraft in your own life. Ask yourself if you are manipulating, intimidating, or dominating someone yourself. Or ask yourself if someone is trying to put you under their spell. These are the issues we should deal with. Leave the unsaved to their own folly. Their real problem is not being washed in the Blood of Jesus.

FREEDOM FROM WITCHCRAFT

ARE YOU A WITCH?

Let us look now at the issue of becoming free from the practice of witchcraft. Like all other works of the flesh, (Galatians 5:19-21) witchcraft must be dealt with as the sin that it is.

One thing you must do is to determine in yourself by an act of your will that you will stop practicing witchcraft. This act of repentance is necessary to achieve freedom. (Luke 13:3)

ARE YOU BEWITCHED?
Not only does witchcraft need to be dealt with when you are practicing it yourself, but it must also be dealt with if someone else is trying to put you under their spell. Of course, you cannot “force” anyone to stop trying to illegitimately influence you because that would be witchcraft on your part. But you can resist them. (James 4:7)

STEP ONE
The Scripture says to resist the devil and he will flee from you. So then, refuse to be manipulated. Refuse to be intimidated. Refuse to be dominated. Many times simply saying “No,” is enough.

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one Mathew 5:37

STEP TWO
And always you can intercede for the offender praying that the Lord will draw them to Himself (Jeremiah 31:3, John 6:44) so that they may experience salvation and freedom from the bondage to witchcraft. Remember “the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all might come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

STEP THREE
Sometimes, depending on the circumstances; you may have to separate yourself from the one attempting to bewitch you. This should be considered as a last resort. When the offending person is a close relative or spouse, every effort should be made to preserve the relationship and defeat the witchcraft.

I asked the Lord to show me the true nature of witchcraft. I believe that the Lord gave me the following definition: Witchcraft is the attempt to control people and get them to do what you want by the use of any spirit that is not the Holy Spirit. After I had digested this, the Lord added: And if anyone has a spirit that he can use, it is not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, and no one uses God. – Derek Prince

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and my job to love – Billy Graham

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 cor 4:2)