The Dangers of Manipulation

In a previous post I made the following statement, “I can by no means take the credit for these attributes (of intelligence) as I didn’t give them to myself, and on my own I am prone to abuse their implementation.” I wanted to take the time to define what exactly I meant by abusing their implementation.

With the complex mind the Lord has gifted to and developed in me there are a number of ways I am in danger of misusing it. These dangers include:

1. Pride/Self-righteousness that leads me to think of myself higher than I ought to and assume I know best in every situation. This can show itself through sharing my conclusions or opinions in a harsh, matter-of-fact way.
2. Over-analyzation resulting in seeing things that aren’t really there and creating complications because of it. And if the problem is actually there, not being able to recognize if it’s necessary to address. It all seems necessary to me.
3. Guilt-tripping others for not taking advantage of their privileges in the face of my disability. This shows up by conveniently crafting my words to accomplish personal goals through others because, well, I’m worse off.

What do all of these dangerous behaviors have in common? They all have the potential to culminate in a pursuit for control through manipulative patterns. Let me give you a quote from another one of my posts so I can begin to explain… “God has enabled me to be skilled at quickly parsing through the available information and in turn make a comprehensive determination.” Now, there’s nothing wrong with this, it is certainly a useful skill. But, when mixed with selfish intentions, it can produce a truly wicked application of said skill. Self-righteousness, over-analyzation, and guilt-tripping make the perfect behavioral cocktail for such an unbecoming outcome. 

Each of these appear in some combination of ways every day. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s obvious. Sometimes it’s over something inconsequential, sometimes over something vital. And by the way, none of it excludes before, during, and after this very writing. The dangers of manipulation are always creeping around the corner. 

The bottom line is that I have a choice to take the available information and make a comprehensive determination that serves either myself or the greater good of mankind. My aim is to do it for the greater good, thus glorifying and honoring the Father (1 Thessalonians 5:15, Romans 12:18). But the natural tendency is to serve myself, so it takes serious discipline to use my gifts correctly.

Thankfully God has poured His wisdom over and into me in such a way that I am able to recognize and become fully aware of my own harmful tendencies. After all, the abilities I’ve covered over the last few weeks would be pretty useless if I weren’t using them to better myself as well. 

Based on these realizations, I know the Lord hears and answers me every time I pray the prayer of Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” And the more I pray to become a pure spiritual vessel and for my evil ways to be exposed, the more I am made into the image of Christ!

Please join me in praying for the same things!