Each of us must look at our response to situations that arise in our life on a daily basis. This response is not usually spoken to anyone else but is contained in thoughts that come forth when something negative happens. We must be honest with ourselves in order to change. We must be teachable and a review of our first thoughts, for they provide us with a marker of our growth. Let me explain. When you hear news of someone you know experiencing a trial, how do you respond? Are you glad or sad? If you are glad, your ego has just exalted itself by demeaning another. Being exalted can occur in two different ways. You can lift up yourself by some prideful action or, you can drag someone else down below your particular place in life. Either way, your ego has just stroked itself. It is often subtle.
Manipulation is a lie. It cleverly attempts to control and influence another person with an illusion in order to make the other person believe a lie, often through fear or greed. It is meant to gain by deception. In business, we are taught to negotiate. However, negotiation is manipulation, and manipulation is not of Our Heavenly Father. Negotiation attempts to exalt “self” at the expense of another. Revelation, on the other hand, provides a fair basis for a transaction to occur based on Truth.
The current system is based on self-preservation. This system will toss anyone under the bus that gets in its way. This system is based on scarcity. This system is based on force which consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom is based on the Laws of Attraction. Men are drawn or attracted to HIM. Until HIS Kingdom comes on earth as it is in Heaven, we must be vigilant in our personal lives about “preserving self”. We may be able to fool others by an illusion of righteousness, but our thoughts must come into subjection as well. The inward man is where the battle rages on. We must die to “self”. We must no longer live the lie if we are to mature in our calling. Continuous monitoring and examination of our thoughts provide us with that status of our growth.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For each one shall bear his own load.