We cannot claim to speak God’s Truth including in Ministry, if we use devices and schemes of spiritual manipulation. These schemes include deceit, uncleanliness, guile, flattering words, ‘cloak of covetousness’; seeking of men glory or praise. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-7).
Other devices of spiritual manipulation that Satan uses to oppose God’s truth are “tribulation or persecution”, “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches”; and “the working of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders” (Job 1:7-21; Matthew 13:21-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9). Let us now examine Satan’s spiritual manipulations involving riches, the Holy scriptures and other mediums of communication:
3.1 RICHES AND SPIRITUAL MANIPULATION
Satan can use wealth to manipulate or seek to influence us to be his agent. For instance, he took Jesus to a mountain “and [showed] him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them”; and offered him all these earthly kingdoms if Jesus would fall and worship him. But Jesus said “get thee hence Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”. (Matthew: 4:8-11).
Let us consider the scheme here: Jesus, is the son of God (i.e. born of the Spirit of God); he was born to be the “King of kings” with dominion over all of God’s works in earth and in heaven; and God has put all things under his feet. (Psalm 8:5-8; Ephesians 1:10; Colossians 1:17). Why would he need to worship the devil for something that is his? (John 15:16).
3.1.1 DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH SATAN
Jesus did not lust over the glory of the worldly things or kingdoms therefore it was not possible for the devil to manipulate him to submit his earthly Kingly Glory to him in worship, as did Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:6). Rather, he was more concerned with keeping God’s command, than focussing on things of the world and their glory, that was offered by the devil.
Brethren, when faced with the temptation of material or physical things, take heed that you do not negotiate your spiritual inheritance in Christ with the devil. Always remember that the physical things one desires or that may be in the path of your destiny may be used by Satan spiritually to deceive you into yielding your power in Christ to his dominion and control.
3.2 SPIRITUAL MANIPULATION OF SCRIPTURES
Brethren beware also that Satan can twist the scriptures to manipulate believers. For example Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said to him “if thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone”. (Matthew 4:5-6).
Jesus did not become prideful to show the devil that His father can indeed save him. He did not need to prove his covenant with God to Satan. So, he uses scripture to counter the devil’s interpretation saying, “it is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”. (Matthew 4:7).
Brethren, your promise and covenant are with your Father God; so, do not listen to the devils view or interpretation of God’s word. Rather endeavour to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
3.3 SPIRITS OF COMMUNICATION
Satan’s spiritual manipulation can also occur where one seeks alternate counsel or medium to access, understand, or compete with divine Powers. God specifically forbids as ” an abomination” the use of imperfect spirits of communication. Such spirits include: ‘witchcraft’, ‘soothsayer’, ‘sorcerer’; one who ‘interprets omens’, one who ‘conjures spells’; or who ‘calls up the dead’; or uses a medium, or a ‘spiritists’; ‘astrologers’, ‘stargazers’, ‘prognosticators’, ‘wisemen’, ‘magicians’ etc. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 19:3; 47:1; Jeremiah 10:2).
We see these lying mediums in use by Pharaoh to challenge the power of God when he multiplied his signs and wonders by Moses with the plagues in the land of Egypt (e.g. Exodus 7:3, 10-12). Believers who consult these lying Spirits of communication can be defiled and their Spirit of truth can quench because there is no light in them who seek those who do these things. (Leviticus 19:31; Isaiah 8:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy” (Jonah 2:8; Psalm 31:6).
Truth and lie cannot coexist! Only God in heaven by His power, which is the Holy Spirit can reveal the secrets and deep things of God and make known in truth what shall come to pass (Daniel 2:27-28; Genesis 41:8 &25).
4. GOD ALLOWS SPIRITS TO ENTICE MANKIND
