Part 17
ALERT, ALERT, ALERT - INTERCESSION REMINDER
EXPOSING MANIPULATION
Manipulation is a form of witchcraft or counterfeit spiritual authority that uses a spirit other than the Holy Spirit to dominate and control others. The more subtle kind of false spiritual authority uses scripture verses (uttered forth from the flesh) to play on the emotions of the weak and to subject them to the authority of those who have a secret sin of lust for domination. This is usually done under a pretense of protection for the flock. Those who are given over to this usually are very suspicious and insecure and paranoid. This suspicion is a counterfeit of true spiritual discernment. They become especially paranoid of those who truly walk in the Spirit, perceiving them as a threat to their very ministry and life. Indeed, in His mercy, Yahshua raises up His chosen ones to liberate and free those caught in their own self-imposed bondage. They aim at destroying the "ego" centered man that Mashiach may become the center of attention.
True spiritual authority aims at bringing the flock closer to Yahshua so they will be able to walk on their own two feet. Each is taught how to discern the Spirit’s voice and to obey His promptings. In this way, as individuals mature, the Spirit operates through the whole body and not just one person. Those with true spiritual authority have the ability to lead others to the Lamb because they personally have sought and found Him.
On the other hand false spiritual authority is very insecure and fearful and allows the flock to grow to a certain point and then puts chains on them lest they get too close to Yahshua and become free from the illegitimate authority. Those who are given over to false authority don’t love Yahshua. They love themselves and they only use His name to cover their hidden lust to be the center of authority. They have never really come to know Yahshua intimately because of their self-love and pride.
When souls begin to behold Yahshua the false authority is made manifest and the strangers voice is heard. Though the false authority tried to prevent this from happening Yahshua’s mercy nevertheless brakes through the darkness and awakens souls to their danger. At this point they have a choice to either fear man and go on serving Satan or to fear Eloheem and start serving Yahshua in a fuller sense. The false authority becomes jealous and is bent on destroying such souls (usually mentally and verbally in subtle jests and criticisms that are covered under a pretense of protection of counsel and instruction.)
This is where they really begin to fight dirty but the subtlety in all this is that outwardly - in the natural realm - their hidden motives cannot be discerned since they appear calm, meek, and humble. But in spirit their stink comes forth and Yahshua can give us the discernment when someone is attacking us via manipulation and/or praying against us.
Those caught in the trap of false authority become very slippery and fearful lest the truth destroys their ego and sets them free. Often though they may profess to be awaiting the coming of Yahshua, they go on the defensive against Him when He appears in the person of the saints to lay bare the intents of the heart. Those in true authority have an intent upon destroying the old man that the new man may come forth and worship Yahshua in Spirit and truth - a worship that ego-centered false authority can never experience unless they humble themselves to the sin manifesting power of the Word that comes to judge and make war. (A war not fought with Satan’s weapons of accusation, slander, scorn, criticism, envy, jealously etc., but with the weapons of love, boldness, meekness, gentleness etc. )
Those who have been set free care not about their reputation or what others say or think about them. For their citizenship is in heaven and they commune with Yahshua and His angels - with the spirits of just men made perfect - an experience the false authority can never come to unless they repent and humble themselves.
Ultimately those that establish themselves in a position of false authority have little peace. They are usually fearful and intimated by anyone they cannot control or keep under their feet. They fear those who walk in the true anointing the most because those who walk in the Spirit are least affected by manipulation or control spirits. They recognize Yahshua’s voice as well as the strangers. As a result of all this those in false authority become very paranoid towards anyone they cannot control. In some cases they become irrationally consumed by driving out or destroying any one who does not bow to their control. This is where they use witchcraft. That is, what is bound in heaven is bound on earth - they pray against others instead of for them, hoping they will be smitten by a physical calamity or emotional confusion. They become a vessel through which the enemy takes the place of the Holy Spirit and sends things to others according to the will of the proud ego that has been offended by the truth. This is an abuse of prayer and it is a form of white magic.
If prayer is motivated by a spirit of control or manipulation - targeted at us - we will be defeated (possibly smitten with mental discouragement, confusion, or physical sickness) if we are bitter towards those trying to control us. Bitterness and resentment make us vulnerable to the attacks of witchcraft. Instead we must pray for our enemies and forgive them. Bless and don’t curse. If we scorn or jest about those with a control spirit we will still be subject to Satan’s attack. We must overcome evil with good and remain in love and humility - in Mashiach - if we want to remain safe.
R E M E M B E R
WHEN WE BEGIN TO PRAY BLESSINGS OF FORGIVENESS UPON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTACKING US (EITHER PHYSICALLY OR VERBALLY), THEN THE EVIL POWER OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION CAN BE BROKEN OVER US AND THEM. PRAY THAT WE MAY BE CONVICTED AND OUR EYES OPENED.