Manipulation is an element of witchcraft. It is an attempt to control others with cunning lies rather than brute force or threatenings. Instead of inspiring fear from physical domination or intimidation to harm, manipulation uses subtle emotions and mental trickery. The person or people attempting to manipulate us may use false accusations, or false stories, or gaslighting, to coerce others into being under their control. As we studied sporting with the devil, the devil’s pricking and goading, we understand that witchcraft is simply another aspect of gaining control of someone for ingrafting. Intimidation and domination are usually easier to spot than manipulation. Manipulation can be subtle in order to not expose the reason for control. There is an element of cunning and astuteness. The manipulator uses emotions to stir different thinking in his/her victims. The manipulator is usually controlled demonically and is simply attempting to put others under their control. This means their cunning is due to demonic spiritual influence. If we understand this, we will not allow ourselves to be put under anyone’s influence, but rather we will allow ourselves to be put under Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Manipulation is a scheme. The manipulator usually has to craft an entire plot in order to entrap someone. Jesus perceived or observed fully when people tried to entrap him. We want to become smart about the things that people try to do to manipulate us. We want to fully observe what they are doing so as not to be victimized.
Luke 20:19-26 (KJV)
19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
The chief priests and scribes sent out spies. The spies pretended to be just men. They were trying to entrap Jesus with his words. If they could catch Jesus saying something wrong, then they could bring him to the chief priests and scribes to be stoned.
Here is a helpful hint. If someone is trying to manipulate us into choosing answer “A” or “B”, instead do what Jesus did and pick “C”. Is it lawful to give money to Caesar “A”, or not “B”. Jesus didn’t answer yes or no, he gave his own answer, the answer “C”. Give Caesar what is due him and give God what is due Him. This is the way we need to think and respond. Jesus perceived that they were trying to test or trick him.
Luke 20:23 G2657 But contemplating G1161 G1473 their G3588 G3834 cunning, G2036 he said G4314 to G1473 them, G5100 Why G1473 do you test me? G3985
2657 LSJ Gloss:κατανοέω to observe well, to understand
Dodson:κατανοέω I understand, perceive, consider I take note of, perceive, consider carefully, discern, detect, make account of.
Thayer:
1) to perceive, remark, observe, understand
2) to consider attentively, fix one's eyes or mind upon
κατανοέω
katanoeō kat-an-o-eh'-o From G2596 and G3539; to observe fully KJV Usage: behold, consider, discover, perceive.
3834 LSJ Gloss:πανουργία knavery, roguery, villany
Dodson:πανουργία cunning, craftiness shrewdness, skill; hence: cunning, craftiness.
Thayer:
1) craftiness, cunning
2) a specious or false wisdom
3) in a good sense, prudence, skill, in undertaking and carrying on affairs
πανουργία
panourgia pan-oorg-ee'-ah From G3835; adroitness, that is, (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry KJV Usage: (cunning) craftiness, subtilty.
3985 LSJ Gloss:πειράζω to make proof
Dodson:πειράζω I try, tempt, test.
Thayer:
1) to try whether a thing can be done
1a) to attempt, endeavour
2) to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself
2a) in a good sense
2b) in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments
2c) to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin
2c1) to solicit to sin, to tempt
1c1a) of the temptations of the devil
2d) after the OT usage
2d1) of God: to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith
2d2) men are said to tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted
2d3) by impious or wicked conduct to test God's justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were to give proof of his perfections.
πειράζω
peirazō pi-rad'-zo From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline KJV Usage: assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.
Jesus perceived and considered their knavery to scrutinize him. Jesus was not going to be manipulated. Isn’t this what happens today? There are people who ask questions in such a way as to entrap others. If the manipulated person is tricked into an answer, the manipulators will hold it over their head for the rest of their life. All the news outlets will report on the answer. However, if the one being manipulated answers with “C” everyone walks away and no one ever hears about that person again.
Panourgia can be trickery, or sophistry, which is a false skillful argument. We want to learn to detect incorrect ideas that are packaged as skillful arguments so as not to be manipulated. We can argue about anything and convince others that we are correct, but if the argument is intended to make someone act in a false way, that sophistry is manipulation. Sophistry is one way witchcraft intends to control others.
The Gibeonites were a group of manipulators, they were astute. We have studied these people and recognize that they were people that were to be exterminated from the land. Even though they manipulated Joshua, these people were servants of Yahweh and associates with Shem and Eber’s school. David brought the ark to Gibeon and the Zadok priesthood offered burnt offerings there. Gibeon was about five miles from Jerusalem. Solomon also worshipped in Gibeon. It just may be that the Lord had a plan for the Gibeonites and gave them astuteness to preserve them.
Joshua 9:1-16 (AMP)
1 WHEN ALL the kings beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland and all along the coast of the Great [Mediterranean] Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites heard this,
2 They gathered together with one accord to fight Joshua and Israel.
3 But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 They worked cunningly, and went pretending to be ambassadors and took [provisions and] old sacks on their donkeys and wineskins, old, torn, and mended,
5 And old and patched shoes on their feet and wearing old garments; and all their supply of food was dry and moldy.
6 And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, We have come from a far country; so now, make a covenant with us.
7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, Perhaps you live among us; how then can we make a covenant with you?
8 They said to Joshua, We are your servants. And Joshua said to them, Who are you? From where have you come?
9 They said to him, From a very far country your servants have come because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard the fame of Him, and all that He did in Egypt,
10 And all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth.
11 So our elders and all the residents of our country said to us, Take provisions for the journey and go to meet [the Israelites] and say to them, We are your servants; and now make a covenant with us.
12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we set out to go to you; but now behold, it is dry and has become moldy.
13 These wineskins (bottles) which we filled were new, and behold, they are torn; and our garments and our shoes have become old because of the very long journey.
14 So the [Israelite] men partook of their food and did not consult the Lord.
15 Joshua made peace with them, covenanting with them to let them live, and the assembly's leaders swore to them.
16 Then three days after they had made a covenant with [the strangers, the Israelites] heard that they were their neighbors and that they dwelt among them.
Panourgia can have a negative connotation such as cunning, or a positive connotation such as astuteness. This crafty scheme of the Gibeonites saved them because they were worshippers of Yahweh. The Gibeonites devised a very elaborate plan to gain favor and not be exterminated. The Jebusites and the Gibeonites were people who had been part of Shem and Eber’s school. They were more spiritually mature tribes in worshipping Yahweh than the Israelites. The astuteness of the Gibeonites preserved their race and they hosted the ark from the time that David brought it there, until the temple was completed.
The sons of the devil use manipulation towards the sons of God, and although it may go unnoticed by us, God notices their craftiness. There is something fascinating here. Paul is speaking of the wisdom of the world being moronishness.
1 Corinthians 3:19 G3588 For the G1063 G4678 wisdom G3588 G2889 of this world G3778 G3472 [2moronishness G3844 3with G3588 G2316 4God G1510.2.3 1is]. G1125 For it has been written, G1063 G3588 He is the one G1405 grabbing G3588 the G4680 wise G1722 in G3588 G3834 their cleverness. G1473
1405 LSJ Gloss:δράσσομαι to grasp
Dodson:δράσσομαι I take hold of, grasp I take hold of, grasp, catch.
Thayer:
1) to grasp with the hand, take
δράσσομαι
drassomai dras'-som-ahee Perhaps akin to the base of G1404 (through the idea of capturing); to grasp, that is, (figuratively) entrap
1404 LSJ Gloss:δράκων a dragon
Dodson:δράκων a dragon or huge serpent
a dragon or huge serpent; met: Satan.
Thayer:
1) a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan
δράκων
drakōn drak'-own Probably from an alternate form of δέρκομαι derkomai (to look); a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate) KJV Usage: dragon.
The word drassomai is similar to drakōn. Who is drakōn? The devil, the dragon. God is grabbing the people of the world who think that they are wise and cunning like he is grabbing the dragon. In other words, God entraps them in their cunning. The Almighty, Most High, Eternal Father, and Jesus the Messiah, created the dragon, the devil. They can and will grab him and toss him into the lake of fire. So it is moronic for the devil to manipulate people into believing that he/they can usurp the Creator. The Lord reveals their moronish wisdom of attempting to gain through deception.
Paul suggests that we not walk in panourgia, as in cunning, not astuteness. Paul points out that he/they forbid hidden shame in panourgia, cunningness or acting treacherously.
2 Corinthians 4:2 G235 But G550 we forbade G3588 the G2927 hidden things G3588 G152 of shame, G3361 not G4043 walking G1722 in G3834 cleverness, G3366 nor G1389 acting treacherously in G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G2316 of God; G235 but G3588 G5321 by open display G3588 of the G225 truth, G4921 commending G1438 ourselves G4314 to G3956 every G4893 conscience G444 of men G1799 before G3588 G2316 God.
Paul wants to keep things on the up and up. He wants to see the word of God handled openly and truthfully. He doesn’t want manipulation regarding the logos of God. Sadly it is easy to use manipulation to get people saved or to gain their obedience. In the Body of Christ we threaten hell or threaten being left behind. This is not the way that we should witness. Paul says that the serpent used his panourgia to cheat or thoroughly deceive Eve.
2 Corinthians 11:3 G5399 But I fear, G1161 G3381 perhaps G5613 as G3588 the G3789 serpent G* cheated Eve G1818 G1722 in G3588 G3834 his cleverness, G1473 G3779 so G5351 [2should be corrupted G3588 G3540 1your thoughts] G1473 G575 from G3588 the G572 simplicity, G3588 of the one G1519 in G3588 the G5547 Christ.
1818 LSJ Gloss:ἐξαπατάω to deceive
Dodson:ἐξαπατάω I deceive thoroughly.
Thayer:
1) to deceive
ἐξαπατάω
Eve was seduced wholly by the cunning of the serpent. The way the serpent seduced Eve was the first time a human had been manipulated. Neither the adam or Eve had ever been challenged by one of the fallen sons of God. They didn’t understand how to counter that conversation. They are our example of cunning seduction and how not to respond.
Paul tells us that we should be grown-ups. We should not be tossed around by the winds of false doctrines. Notice that the instruction is in the cunning of men. The word kubeia is translated “cunning” here but it is more like “trickery”.
Ephesians 4:14 G2443 that G3371 no longer G1510.3 should we be G3516 infants, G2831 being swelled G2532 and G4064 carried round about G3956 by every G417 wind G3588 of the G1319 instruction, G1722 in G3588 the G2940 cunning G3588 G444 of men, G1722 in G3834 cleverness G4314 to G3588 the G3180 craft G3588 of the G4106 delusion
2940 LSJ Gloss:κυβεία dice-playing, dicing
Dodson:κυβεία trickery, sleight
(lit: playing with dice, gaming, hence) trickery, sleight.
Thayer:
1) dice playing
2) metaph. the deception of men, because dice players sometimes cheated and defrauded their fellow players
κυβεία
kubeia koo-bi'-ah From κύβος kubos (a “cube”, that is, die for playing); gambling, that is, (figuratively) artifice or fraud KJV Usage: sleight.
3180 LSJ Gloss:μεθοδεία craft, wiliness
Dodson:μεθοδεία scheming, craftiness (a way of search after something, an inquiry; a method), scheming, craftiness, deceit.
Thayer:
1) cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery
μεθοδεία
methodeia meth-od-i'-ah From a compound of G3326 and G3593 [compare “method” ]; traveling over, that is, travesty, (trickery) KJV Usage: wile, lie in wait.
Our attention to the idea of cunning, kubeia, is as loaded dice, or an extra ace in someone’s sleeve. This cunning is a deceitful shell game. This reads “carried about by every wind of instruction by the loaded dice of men in cunning, panourgia, to the scheming of fraudulent error”. Paul wants us to stop believing the carnival barkers, who have loaded dice, extra cards, and magic shells. They are intentionally trying to feed us deception. Children go to the carnival believing that their own skill can win them a prize, but adults know that the games are rigged so that only a few selective people can win. This is what the devil is trying to do to the body of Christ, he wants to trick us with fraudulent games so that we blow around from religion to religion, from whatever sounds appealing, to whatever is more appealing. Put on the full armor.
Ephesians 6:11 G1746 Put on G3588 the G3833 full armor G3588 G2316 of God! G4314 for G3588 G1410 you to be able G1473 G2476 to stand G4314 against G3588 the G3180 craft G3588 of the G1228 devil
By suiting up we are able to stand against the trickery and deceit of the devil. The devil has a craft, and his craft is deception. Remember that he was created to be a prick or a goad, and his goal is to be grafted into us. Therefore as we suit up, we rebuff the manipulations coming against us. We have all the elements we need to see through the devil’s mind games.
Panourgia/panourgos can be used in a positive manner. Solomon tells us that the ungodly man causes litigations because of his sins. It sounds like Solomon saw into our day of ridiculous litigations and unjust judges.
Proverbs 28:2 G1223 Because of G266 the sins G765 of the impious, G2920 litigations G1453 arise; G435 [3man G1161 1but G3835 2a clever] G2677.2 extinguishes G1473 them.
3835 LSJ Gloss:πανοῦργος ready to do anything wicked, knavish, villanous
Dodson:πανοῦργος cunning, crafty cunning, crafty, skilful, clever.
Thayer:
1) skilful, clever
1a) in a good sense, fit to undertake and accomplish anything, dexterous, wise, sagacious, skilful
1b) in a bad sense, crafty, cunning, knavish, treacherous, deceitful
πανοῦργος
panourgos pan-oor'-gos From G3956 and G2041; all working, that is, adroit (shrewd) KJV Usage: crafty.
The shrewd or wise man knows how to extinguish ridiculous litigations. We may want to learn how to extinguish litigations from ungodly sinful people. We want to fully observe the ways of the ungodly and not fall into their trap.
Paul notes that he will completely exhaust himself for the Corinthians and that the more he loves them, it may be that the less he is loved. Paul then reminds them that he did not come to them with panourgos, cunning or dolos deceit.
2 Corinthians 12:16 G1510.5 But let it be! G1161 G1473 I G3756 did not G2599 burden G1473 you; G235 but G5224 being G3835 clever, G1388 in cunning G1473 I took you. G2983
1388 LSJ Gloss:δόλος a bait
Dodson:δόλος deceit, guile, treachery.
Thayer:
1) craft, deceit, guile
δόλος
dolos dol'-os From δέλλω dellō (an obsolete primary probably meaning to decoy; compare G1185); a trick (bait), that is, (figuratively) wile KJV Usage: craft, deceit, guile, subtilty.
This is an interesting and important point. Should people in the Body of Christ use cunning and deceit to lead others to the Lord? Should we use trickery or bait people into making a decision for the Lord? Should we manipulate people into confessing Jesus died and rose again, and manipulate people to go to church? Paul did the opposite here with the Corinthians. He loved them and expended his energy for their souls. Paul wants us to know that he never took advantage of anyone, and that this is the point we need to be clear on.
If we try and twist someone’s arm regarding their own salvation we are not allowing them to make the decision for themselves. Then when it comes to their own personal faith, we really don’t know if they believe because they truly have had a revelation of Jesus as Lord, or if they are saying they believe because they want to please us. Jesus knows whether an individual believes or not. He also knows whether we used cunning deceit to force them to believe. Instead, as Paul is pointing out, if we simply love them, we could never be accused of manipulation. Our love should be so great that unsaved people want to hang around us. Our love should be so great that unsaved people want to know the secrets of love, which is Jesus first loving us, that he laid down his life for us. Our love should set us apart from all other people.
Another way to look at manipulation is as enticement. Enticing or entrapping others is another scheme of the evil ones. Peter is speaking of illogical physical living creatures, who are pious, lawless, and ungodly people, as compared to spiritual beings. The ungodly try to entrap the godly.
2 Peter 2:14 G3788 [2eyes G2192 1having] G3324 full G3428 of an adulterous one, G2532 and G180 ceaseless G266 of sin; G1185 entrapping G5590 [2souls G793 1unstable]; G2588 [2a heart G1128 3being exercised G4124 4for a desire for wealth G2192 1having]; G2671 [2of curse G5043 1children].
1185 LSJ Gloss:δελεάζω to entice
Dodson:δελεάζω I allure, entice by a bait I allure, entice (by a bait).
Thayer:
1) to bait, catch by a bait
2) metaph. to beguile by blanishments, allure, entice, deceive
δελεάζω
deleazō del-eh-ad'-zo From the baes of G1388; to entrap, that is, (figuratively) delude KJV Usage: allure, beguile, entice.
These are people who are waterless springs or clouds driven by a storm. They are ungodly and hollow. These are people whom the devil is grafted to, which is why the infernal region of darkness is ready for them. They use entrapment, enticement, deleazō, on the godly.
2 Peter 2:18 G5246 For [2pompous G1063 G3153 4of folly G5350 1uttering 3sounds], G1185 they entrap G1722 by G1939 the desires G4561 of the flesh, G766 in lewdnesses, G3588 the ones who G3689 really G668 escaped G3588 from the ones G1722 [2in G4106 3delusion G390 1behaving],
These evil people bluster stupidity and try to entrap people through desires of the flesh. They use lewdness as a tool of enticement and allure. We all know how that works. The victims of these manipulators usually have their lives ruined, as well as hurting the lives of the ones they love.
Manipulators are also known as false or lying witnesses. In the case of Stephen, the people in the synagogue could not debate with Stephen. They could not stand against the Holy Spirit and the wisdom that Stephen had. They found some people that they could bribe to be lying witnesses against Stephen.
Acts 6:10 G2532 And G3756 they were not G2480 able G436 to withstand G3588 the G4678 wisdom G2532 and G3588 the G4151 spirit G3739 which G2980 he spoke.
11 G5119 Then G5260 they suborned G435 men, G3004 saying G3754 that, G191 We have heard G1473 him G2980 speaking G4487 [2words G989 1blasphemous] G1519 against G* Moses G2532 and G3588 G2316 God.
5260 LSJ Gloss:ὑποβάλλω to throw, put
Dodson:ὑποβάλλω I suborn, instruct privately I throw or put under; met: I subject, submit, suggest, whisper, prompt, suborn, instigate.
Thayer:
1) to throw or put under
2) to suggest to the mind
3) to instruct privately, instigate, to bribe or induce (someone) unlawfully or secretly to perform some misdeed or commit a crime
4) to induce (a person esp. a witness) to give false testimony
ὑποβάλλω
hupoballō hoop-ob-al'-lo From G5259 and G906; to throw in stealthily, that is, introduce by collusion KJV Usage: suborn.
The Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asian Jews, threw Stephen under the bus. They could not counter what he was saying, so they hired other people to give false testimony.
Acts 6:12 G4787 And they agitated together G5037 G3588 the G2992 people, G2532 and G3588 the G4245 elders, G2532 and G3588 the G1122 scribes; G2532 and G2186 attending to it G4884 they seized G1473 him, G2532 and G71 brought him G1519 to G3588 the G4892 sanhedrin.
4784 LSJ Gloss:συγκινέω to stir up together
Dodson:συγκινέω I move together, stir up I move together, stir up, excite.
Thayer:
1) to move together with others
2) to throw into commotion, excite, stir up
συγκινέω
sugkineō soong-kin-eh'-o From G4682 and G2795; to move together, that is, (specifically) to excite as a mass (to sedition) KJV Usage: stir up.
After the suborned people lied, the Jews who could not listen to Stephen, stirred up the people. This manipulation is what was done to Jesus. False witnesses, false accusations, and then getting people agitated and rioting over a lie.
Acts 6:13 G2476 And they set G5037 G3144 [2witnesses G5571 1false], G3004 saying, G3588 G444 This man G3778 G3756 does not G3973 cease G4487 [3words G989 2blasphemous G2980 1speaking] G2596 against G3588 G5117 [3place G3588 G39 2holy G3778 1this], G2532 and G3588 the G3551 law.
14 G191 For we have heard G1063 G1473 him G3004 saying, G3754 that G* [2Jesus G3588 3the G* 4Nazarene G3778 1this] G2647 will destroy G3588 G5117 this place, G3778 G2532 and G236 change G3588 the G1485 customs G3739 which G3860 [2delivered up G1473 3to us G* 1Moses].
5571 LSJ Gloss:ψευδής lying, false
Dodson:ψευδής false, deceitful, lying false, deceitful, lying, untrue.
Thayer:
1) lying, deceitful, false
ψευδής
pseudēs psyoo-dace' From G5574; untrue, that is, erroneous, deceitful, wicked KJV Usage: false, liar.
The same lie that Jesus was accused of, destroying the temple, is what they are accusing Stephen of saying. How could people be manipulated this easily? The Jews are using an emotional basis for their accusation. At this point in time the fascists were gaining more control. They did not care about Judaism, the fascists wanted to take back Jerusalem from the Romans. The Jews were sensitive to anyone changing their religious practices. This is why it was easy for the Jews to find people to lie about what Stephen said, and then cause the masses to riot against Stephen.
Acts 6:15 G2532 And G816 having gazed G1519 onto G1473 him, G537 all G3588 the ones G2516 being seated G1722 in G3588 the G4892 sanhedrin G1492 beheld G3588 G4383 his face G1473 G5616 as G4383 the face G32 of an angel.
Stephen’s face looked like the face of an angel because the Holy Spirit was witnessing through him. Stephen gives them all a history lesson and then reproves them for resisting the Holy Spirit, Acts 7:52. Stephen calls them out as betrayers and murderers who did not receive the law given by angels. Stephen then sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right of God. For the believer in Christ, death is no longer an enemy, it is a promotion. Today we are separated from Jesus, but at death we will be with Jesus.
Matthew 5:11 G3107 Blessed G1510.2.5 are you G3752 whenever G3679 they should berate G1473 you, G2532 and G1377 persecute, G2532 and G2036 shall say G3956 every G4190 wicked G4487 saying G2596 against G1473 you G5574 in lying, G1752 because of G1473 me.
5574 Dodson:ψεύδομαι I lie I deceive, lie, speak falsely.
Thayer:
1) to lie, to speak deliberate falsehoods
2) to deceive one by a lie, to lie to
ψεύδομαι
pseudomai psyoo'-dom-ahee Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood KJV Usage: falsely, lie.
It does not matter if people criticize, or persecute, or lie, about us because we love Jesus. Jesus says our wage is great in the heavens.
Matthew 5:12 G5463 Rejoice G2532 and G21 exult, G3754 for G3588 G3408 your wage G1473 G4183 is great G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heavens! G3779 for so G1063 G1377 they persecuted G3588 the G4396 prophets G3588 G4253 before G1473 you.
Manipulation is founded on a lie. Stephen’s reward is great in heaven. His words were recorded for people to read for over two thousand years.
Jezebel brought in false witnesses to accuse Naboth. She manipulated many people so that she could have Naboth killed “legally” and Ahab could confiscate his vineyard. Whether it is Stephen, Naboth, or Jesus, there will always be manipulators controlled by the devil, who will rally people against one another. We have to notice that the manipulators are controlled by evil spirits, seducing spirits, or demons.
Paul is speaking to the Corinthians of forgiveness or of granting favor; saying that if they forgive someone, he too will forgive them, so that they should not be taken advantage of by the satan. We have studied the importance of forgiveness and how mercy, forgiveness and judgment are weighed and balanced.
2 Corinthians 2:11 G2443 that G3361 we should not be taken advantage of G4122 G5259 by G3588 G4567 Satan; G3756 [3not G1063 1for G1473 5of his G3588 G3540 6thoughts G50 2we are 4ignorant].
4122 LSJ Gloss:πλεονεκτέω to have
Dodson:πλεονεκτέω I take advantage of I take advantage of, overreach, defraud.
Usage: get an advantage, defraud, make a gain.
TBESG:πλεονεκτέω to exploit
G:V
πλεονεκτέω, -ῶ
(< πλεονέκτης, which see), [in LXX:
Refs
Hab.2:9, Eze.22:27
(בָּצַע), Jdg.4:11 B* ;]
__1. intrans., to have more, to have an advantage (cl., with genitive of person(s)).
__2. Trans., in late writers (see M, Pr., 65), to overreach, defraud: with accusative of person(s),
Refs2Co.7:2 12:17-18; ἐν τ. πράγματιι, 1Th.4:6 (see M, Th., in l); pass., 2Co.2:11 (as also in cl.; see LS, see word).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to have more, or a greater part or share
1a) to be superior, excel, surpass, have an advantage over
2) to gain or take advantage of another, to overreach
πλεονεκτέω
pleonekteō pleh-on-ek-teh'-o From G4123; to be covetous, that is, (by implication) to over reach KJV Usage: get an advantage, defraud, make a gain.
3540 LSJ Gloss:νόημα that which is perceived, a perception, thought
Dodson:νόημα a thought, design, the mind a thought, purpose, design; the mind; the heart, soul, feelings.
Thayer:
1) a mental perception, thought
2) an evil purpose
3) that which thinks, the mind, thoughts or purposes
νόημα
noēma no'-ay-mah From G3539; a perception, that is, purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself KJV Usage: device, mind, thought.
50 LSJ Gloss:ἀγνοέω not to perceive
Dodson:ἀγνοέω I do not know, am ignorant of I do not know, am ignorant of (a person, thing, or fact), sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance.
Thayer:
1) to be ignorant, not to know
2) not to understand, unknown
3) to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong
ἀγνοέω
agnoeō ag-no-eh'-o From G1 (as a negative particle) and G3539; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication to ignore (through disinclination) KJV Usage: (be) ignorant (-ly), not know, not understand, unknown
A very big area for the satan to manipulate believers is in the area of forgiveness. If we do not forgive, then we are not forgiven. That does not mean that we are not saved or redeemed, but as far as our works are concerned we are to forgive so that we will be forgiven. It is easy for someone who has been wronged to feel that if they forgive the person who harmed them, then that abuser will somehow not be held accountable for their behavior. That is not true. Paul is telling us that the satan will get an advantage over us if we don’t forgive. How is this an advantage? We have an area in our lives that we have not let go of. A painful memory that we have not released. It is a tactic of manipulation to get us to be unforgiving. It is an easy one too because victims want justice. In the world, in which authority and rule was stolen from the adam, there is no such thing as “fair”, especially for those who are disciples of Jesus. The satan uses seducing spirits and doctrines of demons to “suggest” unforgiveness. The satan is using hurt and pain to exploit us. Once we have fallen for the manipulation, we have a wedge between us and our Savior. We become judgmental and want justice. We have been exploited and taken advantage of by the satan.
Paul says that we are not uninformed of the satan’s thoughts and purposes. His purpose is to disable us as witnesses for the Living God. We are not uninformed. Forgive. We should not let the satan manipulate us into holding on to unforgiveness. Don’t let the satan use our negative emotions to trick us, we are not ignorant of this manipulation.
As we mentioned earlier, the Jews used emotion to stir up the people to stone Stephen, just like they did with Jesus. The satan knows how to use emotion to manipulate us. Whether it is an attempt towards keeping us in unforgiveness, or using lewd desires to cause us to sin, or whether we fear our loved one’s won’t receive Jesus as Lord if we don’t scare them into a decision, our emotions are what we have to control so that we are not manipulated. We want to fully observe what people are compelling us to say or do. We also have the help of the Holy Spirit to give us the insight we need to deal with manipulators. Recognizing that witchcraft is control and its tools are manipulation, domination, and intimidation, we can learn how to block and rebuke the attempts of the enemy to hold us down and hold us back from living fully in Jesus and the power he has given us.
We want to slow down our thinking and our response time. We need to take the time to lead every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. If we slow down, or for example draw in the sand before we respond, then we can answer the cunning manipulators with “C”, so that we are not entrapped. If we want to lead people to the Lord then we love without reserve. If we present the gospel in love, openly, without deceit, or hidden agendas, then we will allow people to decide if Jesus Christ is their Lord. Then, when their faith is tried and tested, they will hold fast and continue to grow like a seed planted in good soil.
