#18 Culture | Gaslighting Yeshua
Dr. Stephen Phinney: Gaslighting is an insidious effort that manipulates someone into questioning their own sanity, all while masking the perpetrator's own morally corrupt beliefs.
Gaslighting is a psychological manipulation technique where someone makes another person doubt their own perceptions, memories, or reality. It is Satanism in sheep’s clothing.
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The term originated from the 1938 play "Gas Light," which was later adapted into films in the 1940s. In these stories, a husband tries to make his wife believe she is going insane by subtly manipulating elements of their environment and insisting she is mistaken or misremembering things.
Gaslighting is an insidious effort that manipulates someone into questioning their own sanity, all while masking the perpetrator's own morally corrupt beliefs.
By distorting reality and discrediting the victim's perceptions, the gaslighter seeks to destabilize their mental state, keeping their own deceptions and malevolent motives hidden. This psychological tactic is a form of emotional abuse that aims to control and dominate, ultimately leaving the victim grappling with self-doubt and confusion.
AN OBSESSION FOR POWER
Colossians 3:21: "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
Men typically are obsessed with power, opening the door to gaslighting those around them - a quest for power always results in gaslighting. Ironically, men tend to demonstrate “bonding” through gaslighting.
While it's often noted that men are more known for gaslighting than women, it's important to recognize that gaslighting is a form of depraved psychological manipulation that can be perpetrated by anyone, regardless of gender. The perception stems from ancient Biblical roles of women remaining silent and men are the advocates for speech, thus, igniting masculine/feminine societal expectations, but in today’s society, both men and women can engage in this harmful behavior. It's crucial to address and challenge gaslighting in all its forms, promoting healthy and respectful Biblical communication in relationships.
In modern usage, gaslighting refers to a pattern of behavior where an individual attempts to gain control or power over someone by systematically undermining their confidence and mind - hoping to break them down to join their depraved ideologies of belief. However, please note that those who join their degenerated beliefs does not stop the gaslighting - it only elevates their behavior to want more power, which results in more abuse. This tactic can be deeply damaging, leading the victim to feel confused, anxious, and even questioning their sanity.
It's an insidious form of emotional abuse, highlighting the importance of individuals, particularly indwelt believers, awareness of what it is and how to avoid being trapped by its clutches.
Methods of Gaslighting:
People who gaslight others typically use a series of Satanic manipulative tactics to make their victims doubt their own beliefs in Christ, Biblical perceptions, memories, and, yes, even their sanity. Here are some common methods:
Denial: They deny things they've said or done, even when there's evidence. Their self-denial obsession devolves into denial of the authentic Christ (2 Timothy 2:12). Thus, reducing Yeshua to a rude argumentative human.
Lying: They tell blatant lies to first cover their lifestyle OF lies and to confuse and control the narrative, while being blind to their lying lips being an abomination the Yeshua (Proverbs 12:22). Ironically, their self-justified narratives are riddled with one truth mixed with Satanic lies. A method that Satan has used on humanity since the Garden of Eden - proving they are of the devil’s works.
Projection: They accuse the victim of the very things they are guilty of themselves. Those who gaslight are openly confessing they are a person of falsehood. Authentic believers are kind, loving, and calm - even under the pressure of demonic oppression (Ephesians 4:25). When people default to pride, the first manifestation is projection, being an accuser of the Body members of Christ, much like Satan (Revelation 12:10).
Discrediting: They undermine the victim's credibility by suggesting they are confused, mentally unstable, or of a disputed theological perspective. As a result, these people rarely give compliments.
Isolation: They tortiously isolate the victim from friends and family to increase dependence on the gaslighter. In the end, gaslighters force the victim into their private prison of isolation, which was their goal.
Trivializing: They belittle the victim's views and concerns, making them seem unimportant.
These tactics are designed to destabilize the victim's sense of reality and increase the gaslighter's control over them. It's a deeply harmful form of psychological abuse. Gaslighters are living in an evil, oppressive, demonic realm. By far, the know the accuser of the brethren (Satan) far more than that of Yeshua.
GASLIGHTING YESHUA
Imagine a culture where the people constantly question and undermine the teachings of a wise and compassionate healer named Yeshua. Despite His miracles and profound wisdom, the culture spread rumors, deny His acts of kindness, and twist His words to sow doubt among His indwelt followers - literally putting words in Yeshua’s mouth. They accuse Him of deceit and madness, attempting to erode the trust and faith He has built.
This ideology of gaslighting Yeshua reflects how droves of people, driven by fear or malice, can distort the truth and manipulate others to reject the light and love He offers. Yet, Yeshua's unwavering truth and love remain an immovable TRUTH for those who seek genuine indwelling LIFE.
When you gaslight an indwelt believer, you indirectly gaslight Yeshua who lives within the victim!
There is one thing we do know about those who gaslight Yeshua.
Galatians 6:7 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."
Gaslighters will reap what the sow! Their actions have consequences. Since God and Yeshua do not tolerate being mocked, their day of retribution is coming. Thus, the best way to deal with these haters of God is to respond with a kind answer.
A SOFT ANSWER
Proverbs 15:1: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
If the anger of a gaslighter rises against you, do not back away, stay in your place, the calmness of the indwelling Life will put the full responsibility of their actions back into their lap. Warning, this will further inflame their anger. Stay engaged, continue to love on them and in due time, they might discover you are the real-deal in Christ.
Wise indwelt believers understand that attempting to change the thinking of a gaslighter can be an exercise in futility and emotional harm. Gaslighters are often deeply entrenched in their manipulative behaviors, driven by a need for control and a reluctance to acknowledge their own flaws. Engaging with a gaslighter can lead to endless cycles of denial, blame-shifting, and further manipulation, which can be mentally and spiritually exhausting for the believer.
FOOLS ARE NOT TEACHABLE
Proverbs 26:4-5: "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes."
Authentic believers should never attempt to debate or teach a fool the wisdom of God. It is likened to tossing pearls before swine. Yeshua commanded us not to do this, "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." When anyone attempts to debate a gaslighter, they themselves are acting AS fools. In this we find why a soft answer turns away anger.
However, if you are one of those who is compelled to debate fools, you too will reap the corruption of the life of a fool. It’s your choice, function as a fool or silence their abuse with a loving soft answer. After all, pride indeed arrives shortly before a fall. Give gaslighters what they need, love, not what they want - a victim of stupidity.
As indwelt believers in Yeshua, it is essential to rely wholeheartedly on the inward life and wisdom that He provides, rather than getting entangled in the empty rhetoric of gaslighters.
The spiritual discernment and strength that come from our relationship with Him empower us to recognize and resist manipulation, standing firm in His truth. By anchoring ourselves in the transformative power of Yeshua's indwelling presence, we can navigate the complexities of life with grace and integrity, unshaken by the deceitful tactics of those who seek to undermine our faith and well-being. Let us continue to draw from His wisdom and live out His love, shining His light in a world that desperately needs it.
The power of kindness lies in its ability to transform hearts, heal wounds, and inspire a ripple of compassion that can change the world under the worst conditions.