Satan is the tireless enemy of God. He diligently opposes everything that is good about God’s will and creation. This is seen in the opposition he led against Christ and the spread of the gospel. The devil used numerous tricks and tools to bring about this opposition. One of them was his willingness to manipulate others.

The Lord was condemned and found worthy of death under the charge of blasphemy (Matt. 26:63-65). Because the Romans did not allow the Jews to practice capital punishment (John 18:31), these corrupt leaders had to convince the Roman governor Pilate to have Jesus put to death. Pilate was not interested in the charge of blasphemy, so the Jewish leaders set forth Jesus as a rival king who threatened Caesar (John 19:12). Although Pilate was not convinced that Jesus was a legitimate threat to Rome, “the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus” (Matt. 27:20). Our Lord’s death was brought about, in part, by the manipulation of both Pilate and the people by the Jewish leaders.

When the Lord’s church was first established, the apostles and other evangelists were able to peacefully proclaim and spread the gospel. However, opposition soon broke out and followed these efforts as they spread across the world.

In Philippi, Paul and his companions were able to establish a congregation and preach unopposed. This changed when Paul cast an evil spirit out of a slave girl. “But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities” (Acts 16:19). However, notice the charge these men made before the authorities. “And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, ‘These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe’” (vs. 20-21). This manipulation resulted in Paul and Silas being beaten, imprisoned, and eventually ordered to leave the city.

Paul enjoyed a long and fruitful evangelistic effort in Ephesus. “And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). There was no opposition until the idol-makers’ guild realized Paul’s preaching had threatened their profits. A silversmith named Demetrius alerted his fellow craftsmen to this economic danger (vs. 24-27). They started a commotion that soon drew the entire city into an uproar. They chanted “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” for two hours (v. 34). The people of the city were out for blood in defense of their idol, but this was caused by a few people who were losing money.

Satan continues to use manipulation to disrupt peace and unity in the world and in the Lord’s church today. Consider three of the sins Paul lists in the works of the flesh – “selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies” (Gal. 5:20). These three sins are progressive.

Selfish ambitions is translated from the Greek word eritheia which Thayer defines as “a desire to put oneself forward.” This is a person promoting himself and his own interests. This leads to dissensions from dichostasia, a compound word that literally means “a standing apart” (Vine). The individual has been successful in rallying some to his cause, resulting in a division among the people. Finally, there are heresies from hairesis, a term that refers to a choice or a party of people who share the same opinion. This sinful individual has succeeded in manipulating people to take up his cause. This happens in both the world and in the church.

Faithful Christians must make sure they are never guilty of trying to manipulate others. We must never put ourselves and our will before Christ, and we must always be straightforward with the Gospel. Also, we must guard against being manipulated by others. We need to exercise wisdom and caution when hearing news stories or reading posts on social media. We need to realize when brethren are drawing attention to themselves and their agendas.

We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11). One of them is manipulation. Don’t fall into his trap.