From my experience as a priest, the Holy Scriptures have a significant amount to say concerning manipulation. It provides us with numerous examples, offers principles to follow, and even furnishes direct mandates, warning us against the peril of influencing others with deceit or letting ourselves fall prey to manipulation.
I firmly believe that manipulation is, at its heart, a form of lying. When an individual utters false words with the intent of confusion and deceit, they are indulging in manipulative behavior. To deceive is to control another’s thoughts or actions in a particular manner, hence the Bible’s strong condemnation of lies is applicable to manipulation as well. In the Christian faith, lying is considered a dreadful sin.
Looking into the Scriptures, Satan can be identified as the “father of lies” (John 8:44) and could also be referred to as the “master of manipulation.” He managed to manipulate Eve by employing the tactic of half-truths and exploiting her yearning for wisdom, leading her to disobey God. Even today, Satan baits individuals into his well-laid traps. Presenting himself “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), he capitalizes on our frailties, inflates our pride, and promises us that our best interests lie in following a sinful path. His craftiness is subtle yet dangerous, utilizing a diverse range of strategies to exert his influence over us.
Moreover, the Bible presents us with the story of Samson who fell victim to manipulation several times. In Judges 14:12, Samson staged a riddle at his wedding feast, promising his Philistine guests “thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes” if they could solve it. The Philistines, unable to answer, persuaded Samson’s wife to extract the answer, leading Samson to fall prey to their manipulation. Samson’s tragic encounter with the manipulative Delilah eventually led to his demise.
Additionally, the Bible issues warnings concerning spiritual manipulations. The New Testament entreats Christians to remain wary of false teachers, encouraging us not to be easily deceived (Galatians 3:1; 2 Peter 2). Paul warns against manipulators who exploit the vulnerabilities of others (2 Timothy 3:6). Even Jesus warned us to beware of manipulators who masquerade as harmless yet their intentions are harmful (Matthew 7:15).
As Christians, it’s incumbent upon us not to engage in manipulation or exploit others for our benefit. Ephesians 4:25 instructs us each to “put off falsehood and speak truthfully,” highlighting our unity as parts of one entity. Jesus also guides us to be as “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16), reminding us not to take undue advantage of others nor to let others manipulate us.
In life, we encounter people of diverse personalities. Some naturally exhibit manipulative tendencies coupled with strong wills and the ability to earn trust effortlessly. We need to exercise caution while dealing with such individuals, especially when they belong to our immediate circles. Trust plays a vital role in all our relationships. Therefore, it’s imperative that we communicate with honesty and expect the same from others.
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