“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1) These words by the serpent in the Garden of Eden would be the beginning of all the evil we know today. They opened a portal into hopeless immorality, corruption, and treachery. The devil, in the guise of the serpent, had essentially manipulated his way into God’s plot for humanity. To understand spiritual manipulation, it’s critical to go back to this defining moment in Scripture. We will examine what led the devil to succeed and how to guard against his schemes, as exemplified by Christ in the temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
What is Spiritual Manipulation?
According to Got Questions, spiritual manipulation is a technique used by some abusive ‘churches’ and cults to control individuals and acquire gain, all the while giving the impression that their teachings are based on the Bible. Tales abound of congregants being conned by charming, charismatic leaders. These alleged spiritual leaders will twist Scripture and coax their followers into giving mostly money in exchange for a ‘form of breakthrough’. Others, more lethal, I would argue, will demand devotion, even loyalty. Due to a desperate need for success, a sense of belonging, and ignorance of Scripture, many fall prey to such heinous ploys. With this article, I hope to help open a few eyes and guide them toward true stability and peace in Christ.
“Did God Actually Say…?”
As we have already seen, the damning events at Eden began with a guided question. The question’s issuer had an agenda up his sleeve that, sadly, the recipients were unaware of. Due to this blindness, they became gullible to the devil’s schemes and fell headlong. The fact that Eve couldn’t confidently answer the question affirmatively with what God actually said made her vulnerable to spiritual manipulation by the evil one. Eve’s ignorance cost her and her offspring the ultimate price. We forfeited a life of infinite joy and abundance for one marred by toil and pestilence (Genesis 3:13-19).
The only way to counter spiritual manipulation is to know, believe, and live out what God actually says in his word. A knowing without belief and action is plain vain, as Jesus explained in his wise analogy of the two builders (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49).
What Jesus Did
Since Adam, the first, failed the test of obedience, God, in his steadfast loving nature, thought to send us a second and last Adam, for there would be no need for another (1 Corinthians 15:45). This second Adam, Jesus Christ, when faced by the same serpent who toppled the first Adam, knew exactly what to do. The fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, from verse 1 to 11, describes the encounter between Jesus and the devil. In it, we find insight into some traps of spiritual manipulation and how to detect and tackle them effectively.
1. Desire
Knowing that Jesus had been in the wilderness fasting for an entire forty days, the devil knew of no better way to tempt him than with food: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread” (Matthew 4:3). Since Jesus was fully man (and fully God, of course), he indeed experienced hunger pangs, and a loaf of bread would be a very welcome relief. However, despite this desire for food, Jesus saw through the devil’s words. He needed not prove to anyone, much less the devil, that he was the Son of God. So he gave a worthy answer: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). With this answer, Jesus was demonstrating that our most dire need is spiritual satisfaction (with God’s word and approval) beyond the fulfillment of our temporal fleshly desires (1 Corinthians 6:13).
Many get caught up in webs of spiritual manipulation as they pursue cheap, fleshly yearnings such as money, fame, recognition, and belonging. Jesus knew well to rise above this snare because he had a firm grasp of who he was and what he ultimately needed.
2. Scripture Misapplied
The devil didn’t stop. He then took Jesus to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone’ (Matthew 4:5-6). Here, the devil restrategized and opted to use the word of God to trick Jesus. Same tactic, but now with Scripture misapplied. The devil, still hoping that Jesus was insecure in his identity as Son of God, taunts him to prove it. Jesus sees through his schemes and gives a succinct response: “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’ (Matthew 4:7). Satan’s quotation was scriptural, but his intent sinister. Once again, Jesus recognized that he did not need to prove his sonship. Instead, he exposes the heart of the devil’s call to action: putting God to the test, something Scripture would never recommend.
To overcome spiritual manipulation, it is crucial to know Scripture in its proper context and to be familiar with the whole counsel of God’s word. Haphazard knowledge of God’s word will not shield us from the fiery darts of our formidable adversary. Careful study of Scripture is, therefore, absolutely vital.
3. Misplaced Allegiance
In a final attempt to bring down the Son of God, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9) Instead of going through the corners, the devil thought to directly ask the One worthy of worship to bow down to him. What audacity! Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve’” (Matthew 4:10). I can imagine Jesus shooing the devil away like a pesky fly. He would never fall for such a ploy.
However, we cannot undermine the devil’s shrewdness here. He was not ignorant of the reason why Jesus was here on earth. He knew Jesus desired the nations and that there was a heavy price he would have to pay first. So he suggests a shortcut with a seemingly harmless catch: “Just worship me, and you will have it all!” The devil was asking Jesus to do away with God’s plan and take his instead. Once again, Jesus stood firm on his Father’s side. He was completely certain about where his loyalty belonged.
As you and I must. Indeed, if we are not firmly founded in Christ Jesus, we will be “…tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14). We will be like a ship with no anchor, readily shifting loyalty to whoever or whatever promises to fulfill our hearts’ yearnings. To overcome this instability, we must seek to align our loyalty and trust with God alone, turning neither to the left nor to the right (Proverbs 4:27; Deuteronomy 5:32).
Knowing this much, we must then heed the call in 1 Peter 5:6-8 to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that at the proper time he may exalt us above all the treachery of this fallen world. If we are not careful, awareness of such evils as spiritual manipulation can prove too overwhelming, throwing us into fits of anxiety. However, God’s word in 1 Peter 5:7 is exhorting us to cast these anxieties to the Lord. Even as we work to be sober-minded and watchful, aware of the dangers around, let us do so while understanding that we are not on our own. The Lord Jesus, who cares for us enough to die for our sakes, is with us always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Thus we rest, convinced that our victory is sure (1 Corinthians 15:57)!