Controlling Christians and the People that Love Them

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I hear the "witching hour” is 3 AM (the opposite of when Christ died at 3 PM), but I believe Sundays at 11 AM beats anything the witches can muster.

Witchcraft isn't spooky. It's all about control. It’s that simple…and that devastating. The desire to control others has been around since the beginning. Satan coveted control over God; Adam and Eve wanted charge of their own destinies.

Nothing has changed--only that Jesus came as one completely controlled by the Holy Spirit and not His own interests. He won our liberty from both the desire to control and the prison of being controlled...if we dare!

Why is this a scary proposition? The controller has to face the fear of losing control. Similarly, a man or woman used to being inordinately controlled has to remove the artificial boundaries and find the courage to walk out into the wide, open spaces of life.

God forbids attempted manipulation of other people's minds, hearts, and circumstances. Even He won't do that with His creation! The Lord works persuasively within the parameters of man's free will; He does not coerce or deceitfully trick people into doing what He wants.

But sadly, you'll find some of His kids practicing "witchcraft" from the pulpit. These leaders minister the gospel out of their own woundedness and insecurities.

As a result, they use their positions to publicly shame and scare congregants considered to be out of line. Instead of bringing the sheep in for discreet one-on-one ministry, elders protect themselves from a direct confrontation and attempt instead to validate their positions by wielding a “Word from God”.

I've heard pastors resort to "anonymous" triangulating messages from pulpits. Designed to correct a particular person or group within the congregation, the content is cowardly preached outward to everybody.

In a small church, it doesn't take long to figure out who the message was for, right? And that gets people talking; then the shunning. Mission accomplished.

Listen, Jesus never publicly shunned or shamed any individual during His earthly ministry. He harshly addressed religious orders, mindsets, and practices, but never PEOPLE!

When we choose exploitative tactics, we align ourselves with the master manipulator and deceiver of all times—satan.

The only thing that truly changes a person is grace; the only dispenser of grace is the Holy Spirit. Moreover, according to the Word, this grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The way and rate of change differs for each of us, and is not centered in how well we’re pressed by flesh—which may result in temporary compliance—but how well we surrender to the persuading conviction of the Spirit of God.

The Bible says that "rebellion IS (not as) the sin of witchcraft" (I Samuel 15:23). That verse continues to say that not only is witchcraft rebellion in the eyes of God, but its companion—stubbornness--is idolatry.

Wherever there’s witchcraft (the attempt to control another person), you’ll find rebellion (resistance to trusting God and His ways.) Wherever there’s rebellion, there’s stubbornness (an inability to let go of control and return it to God). Have you ever met a controlling person who isn't stubborn?

Wherever there’s stubbornness, there’s idolatry. (All must go as YOU planned. People must be in the right place at the right time, according to YOUR will, and doing what YOU expect.)

If this is you, you need to repent deeply and genuinely from a sin worse that any moral failure or uncleanness.

For those of you knowingly controlled, you’re not off the hook, either. Repent for making others your idols. Come out from under their thumb and breathe. Venture out and learn who you are in God’s eyes, not theirs.

Fulfill God’s destiny for you--not their plans and hopes. Quit propping them up and making them look good (that’s called “enabling”). It’s time for you to step out of their shadows!

Only when you step away can God step in and help them. One day riskily lived in honest response to God is worth a thousand in safe contrivance.

from Monsterquest: The Dreaded Christianus Venificus!