The Children of Jezebel:
MANIPULATION
Scripture:
Mark 6:14-29
Introduction:
I want to talk to you today about Jezebels second child. One of the most destructive characteristics at work in the church today…Manipulation
Not only was Jezebel a power hungry, married woman with an unmarried spirit; she was a manipulative person who would cause people to join forces with her and dislike others just so she could have her way.
We see this with Naboth’s vineyard in 1 Kings 21. Naboth told Arab no, Jezebel turned the entire city against him and then they falsely accused him.
Manipulation is when you influence or control someone in a clever, unfair, way to get what you want.
- Where did Manipulation come from?
- Manipulation is not a gift or a work of the Holy Spirit. The root of Manipulation is Deception. Deception means Causing someone to believe something that is not true.
You are never more like Satan and less like Jesus than you are when you manipulate others.
Jesus said in John 14:6 that he is the WAY, TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.
Jesus said in John 8:44 that Satan is the father of lies.
Manipulation and deception and deception is the offspring of Satan.
How can you be apart of the family of God if you are constantly trying to kill it with your words?
- To Deceive someone is to lie, mislead, or hide the truth so they will think or act the way you want them to.
Deception originates from Satan. We know this because he is the father of all lies.
The first act of deception was in Genesis chapter 3 where the serpent manipulated Eve and caused her to think that God was withholding something from her.
He twisted God’s word and said “Did God really say?”
Deception often mixes truth and with lies to create confusion.
This is why the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that God is not the author of Confusion. The NIV version says “He is not a God of disorder, but of Peace.
Gods Spirit produces order, clarity, and peace - not Chaos and confusion.
C. God Forbids Manipulation and Deception
Proverbs 12:22 says “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.”
The word Abomination means “something that is extremely hateful, detectable, or disgusting. It comes from the Hebrew word töēbah and the Greek word bdelugma.
Both words describe something that God rejects because it violates his holiness and his character.
When the bible says something is an abomination to God it means tht it is deeply offensive to his nature.
Manipulation comes from Satan, the author of deceit.
2. How People Manipulate Others
- People who Manipulate often give gifts with strings attached.
Many will give gifts as a sign of love and appreciation but people who are operating in a manipulative, Jezebel spirit, will use gifts as a form of control to gain influence in a persons life.
Sometimes gifts are not given to bless but to buy favor, gain power, and create obligation.
People who are giving gifts out of manipulation will give them to try to cover up their wrong doings or win someone over to their side.
Listen to the preacher…
It’s not love…its bait.
B. People also manipulate others by playing the victim.
When someone plays the victim, they are not seeking healing, but attention that gives them control and influence.
If someone is a real victim of something, they will seek help, truth, and growth. If someone is a manipulative victim, they will use victimhood as a strategy to avoid responsibility and gain control.
A manipulative victim makes people pick sides instead of ridding themselves of pride.
“Everyone is against me.” Or if they are in church, they will hide behind the prophetic…
There is a fine line between the prophetic and the pathetic.
They will hide behind the prophetic and say that God made them do something in order to manipulate others into following after them. Yet, God is not chaos, nor is he confusion; so he will not ask you or lead you to do anything that makes you manipulate others by victim manipulation.
C. Dividing and Conquering is a form of Manipulation.
Manipulators use the divide and conquer strategy to weaken their targets and increase their control.
This tactic is seen in the church a lot. People get mad at the pastor, they divide they church; get people on their side in order to get back at him. It makes the flock choose a side but it allows the manipulator to control the flock.
How do you know when this is happening to you? When you feel isolated. No one is talking to me, no one wants to be around me, no one has anything to do with me…
The manipulator will isolate the manipulated to gain power, influence, and leverage without confrontation.
It is much easier to control people when they are isolated and fighting themselves.
The manipulator will divide and conquer by spreading rumors, exaggeration, and by making others pick a side.
Jezebel in 1st Kings 21 manipulated the king and the nobles by using lies to isolate Naboth. She made something small much larger to get what she wanted. She did not like the word “No” so she did whatever she had to do to reverse it.
Unity, truth, and boundaries are the anti-venom for the mission to “divide and conquer”.
3. Manipulation In Scripture
- Samson and Delilah - Judges 16:4-21
The secret to Samson’s strength was his hair. Delilah tried hard to get him to share the secret and finally she found a way to get it from him.
“How can you say you love me if you wont tell me?”
Manipulation often wears the mask of love but hides selfish intent.
B. Arab and Jezebel - 1 Kings 21
Ahab wanted Naboths vineyard; when Naboth said no, Jezebel forged letters in Ahab’s name and turned the town against Naboth.
Manipulation often abuses power and influence to achieve evil ends
C. Herod and Herodias (Mark 6:17-28)
Herodias hated John the Baptist because he called out her sin. She manipulated her daughter to ask Herod (her husband) to kill John the Baptist.
Manipulation can operate through seduction, emotional pressure, and social traps.
4. Break Free from Manipulation
I came to tell someone you need to break free from manipulation. You need courage to stand even when it seems impossible to do so. You integrity to do the right thing even if it is not the most popular thing to do.
You need patience to trust God’s timing even when you are being rushed by the manipulators in your life. You need righteous leadership to hold you accountable so you don't fall into the trap of the manipulator.
You need discernment and trust when God warns you about someone else’s spirit. You need to know the word of God so that it isn’t twisted. I will make his word a lamp to my feet and light unto my path that I may not sin against God.
There is a counter anointing in the room today and it is countering every manipulative word that has been spoken to you and your family.
I bind every assignment of manipulation and I counter it with the truth. I shine the light on the manipulator and reveal the need for a severing of ties. I break every attack of witchcraft against you that is sowing seeds of deception causing you to believe and live a lie.
Stand to your feet all over this house, if you are coming out of it; praise him! If I you refuse to be manipulated, give him praise! Let hell know, that you are not the one to mess with. You dont pout when things get tough and when others walk away; you find you an altar of prayer and you begin to praise.
Lift up a shout of praise in this house today for the way, the truth, and the life!
