“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1, ESV)

During Jesus temptation in the wilderness, He stood firm against the manipulation of the enemy. I have been in spiritual deserts, isolated and alone. I have had times of strength and times of weakness. Sadly, the manipulation of the enemy distracted me from God’s purpose and plan. Not only was I confused by the Biblical manipulation, I didn’t even recognize the enemy when he was right in my face.

I have already discussed how our enemies can use the Bible to spiritually manipulate. But how do you recognize them as an adversary? How can you be sure that it is spiritual manipulation and not conviction? To recognizing the enemy, just ask yourself these three questions; Do they speak the Word of Truth but live a lie? Are their words supposedly life affirming, but their habits are destructive causing death of hope, joy and peace? Do they claim to speak for God, but live like the devil? If you answer yes to these questions, they are a spiritual abuser and should not be trusted.
Let’s use our three questions to learn to recognize tactics of the enemy.

1. Do they speak the Word of Truth but live a lie? Living a lifestyle other than the one they preach should be your first clue as to whether this person is a spokesperson for God. Most spiritual manipulators live a life of double standards. The rules and laws only apply to others. They don’t feel that they are required to live by God’s Word, and you aren’t to judge them. You must forgive them. They tell you that a devoted Christian shows love to the unlovely. But, none of these rules apply to them. If they do not live the life they preach, be cautious. They are probably using God’s truth out of context, and that can harm you.

2. Are their words supposedly life affirming, but their habits are destructive causing death of hope, joy and peace? If they claim that their words are for your own good, but they seem to be crushing your soul and driving you to despair watch out. God’s discipline, according to the writer of Hebrews, “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it”. A manipulator of the Truth will be leading you away from hope, peace, joy and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit. The manipulator’s purpose is not God’s eternal glory or his best for your life. They do not have your best interest at heart.

3. Do they claim to speak for God, but live like the devil? My manipulator, the devil tempting me, was living a life of open disobedience to God. The enemy is in open rebellion against God’s law. I am not talking about merely making mistakes. Yes, everyone sins. I am talking about life choices that are habitual and destructive. The sins we are talking about are known sin issues that the person does not want to give up. You cannot trust someone who lives like the devil (aka the father of lies) to be telling you the truth. They do not speak for God.

The devil used God’s own words in an attempt to elicit worship from Jesus. He spoke words of truth, but not in the context, nor at an appropriate time. Jesus caught on quickly. He knew that he couldn’t trust a liar and deceiver. We aren’t so quick to see it sometimes. If we want to combat it in our own life, we need to recognize manipulation and not participate in it.
Jesus knew better than to let Satan’s manipulation harm his relationship with his Father. He also knew that this kind of manipulation can have longstanding consequences. If Jesus had allowed Satan to manipulate him, God’s plan and purpose for Jesus would have been destroyed. We must learn how to stand against the manipulation so that we can fulfill the purpose and plan God has for us and continue in healthy relationships.