Manipulation
This is a negative word that means harmful influence. It’s swaying or coercing someone to do something or feel the way I want them to feel. Manipulation is a negative form of influence. The person or persons being manipulated don’t realize that they are being manipulated. I believe this happens a lot in our popular culture. Some who are in positions of power and influence wish to manipulate others into following their ideas or passions. They will used powerful argument, often with half-truths, to manipulate others to follow along with them.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were doing exactly this. They arrested Jesus with manipulation. They manipulated a mockery of a trial. They led Him to Pilate, the Roman Governor and manipulated the crowd to get what they wanted. It was the governor’s custom to release a prisoner during the Passover. Check this out….
20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”
The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
They shouted back, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”
But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:20-23 NLT)
I have been manipulated before and I’ve also been on the other side manipulating another person. I feel like manipulation is not like persuasion. Persuasion is laying out the facts and allowing the other person to decide. Manipulation is laying out certain facts, while holding back important details, for the other person to do what we really want them to do. Manipulation often plays on emotion and emotion often clouds discernment.
In my world of Real Estate, it’s critical to avoid manipulation like the plague. I believe that if you give people the facts and details that they can make the best decision for themselves and their families. I don’t believe “sales” is a manipulative profession. I do believe there are people in “sales” who practice it daily. I believe manipulation to be dishonest and dishonorable. I want to practice honesty, transparency, honor, and integrity in every situation I face. I carry the name of Jesus with me, and this is His code of conduct. I want to encourage, inspire, and influence people to follow Jesus and honor Him with their lives. I don’t want to scare hell out of people with the threat of judgement, as much as I want them to know the love of God.
Pressing On!
Dwayne