How to Discern the Spirit of Manipulation

The spirit of manipulation.
That’s the word for today.

It’s a subtle spirit that goes unnoticed.
It is a controlling spirit.
It is a selfish spirit that comes attached with dire consequences.
It does not travel alone.

Someone influenced by a manipulative spirit will turn everything you are doing (and worked hard to do) upside down for his or her own personal benefit. Some parents are influenced by this spirit and they use it to get what they want from their children. Again, it is a selfish spirit.

For example, the spirit of manipulation is skilled at tying adult children to parents cords for a long time so they can’t live their lives or be independent. It uses guilt as a trap to benefit the user but destroys the other party.

Some children are influenced by this spirit to rebel against their parents and family members. Some spouses use this manipulative spirit to be domineering and controlling.

An encounter with someone who is influenced by the spirit of manipulation will make you feel guilty that you aren’t doing enough (meanwhile you are breaking your back with sleepless nights and perhaps bank account to help that person); that your place is with them and not where God has called you to be.

The manipulative spirit will make you believe that your destiny is with the family business meanwhile God has called you to do something else. The manipulative spirit will make you remain at a location which God has already shown you an emergency exit. Instead of going immediately in the direction God has shown you, you are afraid to leave because of guilt and fear.

In Matthew 4:21-22 AMP, Jesus “noticed two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets and putting them right; and He called them. At once they left the boat and their father and joined Jesus as disciples [sided with His party and followed Him].”

Notice that James and John followed Jesus at once, left their father and family business and all! You have to be bold and rebuke the spirit of manipulation.

The day will come when all of us will answer that last call — would you say you lived your best life, used everything God gave you for His glory or you let them slip away because fear and guilt had a huge grip on you?

Watch out for the spirit of manipulation. It destroys relationships, will mess up your plans and will rob your peace. Rebuke it and apply wisdom.

Question: Have you encountered someone with a manipulative spirit either at home, work or in relationships? How did you handle it?

Belinda Enoma

Belinda is an award winning thought leader on mindset, global speaker, privacy and cybersecurity professional, AI governance leader, 5X author, executive coach and strategist. Through consulting, conference keynotes, and corporate trainings, she helps individuals to achieve goals, and make maximum impact in their spheres of influence.