CONTROL: CHARACTERISTIC OF GOD or SATAN?
GOD WILL NOT “MAKE” US DO HIS WILL
Supporting Scripture: Genesis 2:16-17, 4:6-7; Deuteronomy 11:26-28, 30:15-20; Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 11:37-38; Psalm 110:3, Proverbs 1:29; 16:9; Isaiah 55:6-7, 65:12; Jeremiah 4:14, 5:23; Ezekiel 18:5, 9, 20, 23, 30-32; Matthew 8:15-19; Mark 8:34; John 1:12-13, 7:17, 12:32; Romans 1:24, 10:9-10, 13:2; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Galatians 5:13, 16-17; James 1:13-16; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 3:20
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Indeed everything was created by the Word of God. God controls “things.” God does not (and will not) CONTROL us. An example of this begins in the Garden of Eden. God could have easily “prevented” Adam and Eve from coming close to the Tree of Life. He wanted them to obey Him out of love. Likewise, God gives us freedom to love and obey Him or to choose sin. He leaves the choice up to us.
Scripture explains that evil originates in our own heart, and that we can either choose to go with it or, instead, to love and obey God. Salvation is a “gift” from God to ALL. Scripture tells us God desires that everyone come to repentance. Each of us must choose to repent and to accept His Gift of Salvation in order to receive it.
Scripture instructs us to be holy as God is holy; to pattern ourselves after Jesus. Warriors and beloved brethren, we ought not to try to control anyone. We do it unaware that the tactics we use are vying for control. God always explains why choosing obedience is best and the consequences that will ensue if we don’t; but He does not go on to argue His point or to manipulate us into doing His will. God does draw us to Him, but He will not force us to choose righteousness over sin. In Romans, it says that God “gave them up to the lusts of their hearts” – He “allowed” them to sin even though He hates it. God will provide a way whereby we can escape temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). He will not force us to use it. In fact, Jesus has SET US FREE FROM BONDAGE TO SIN (Romans 6:6-11)!
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As believers and Disciples of Christ, controlling others for any reason is unacceptable and not scriptural. You see, God tells us what He wants from us in His Word, but He never FORCES His way on us. We must follow His example. If the thought to control a situation or a person comes to mind, either you’re not trusting God (lack of faith) or it’s out of fear (lack of faith). Anything that is not of faith is SIN. If something isn’t suiting us, or even if we know someone is sinning, it is not up to us to FORCE the issue. God won’t. God gives us clear instruction about how to handle that situation. Galatians 6:1 (KJV) “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Is there anything here about FORCING or CONTROLLING that person? Restoration can be immediate or it can be a process. Interjecting control of the matter is NOT scriptural and goes against the very nature of God.
I grew up in a home with over-controlling, over-protective parents. Some of you have too, I imagine. Indeed, it is hard to break away from but not impossible. Freedom comes in accepting the truth for what it is -- learning that God is not about control and that it is ungodly for us to do so.
Our Enemy, the Devil, however, is all about CONTROL (see Isaiah 14:13-15; 2 Timothy 2:26; 1 John 5:19). Control is also the main characteristic (there are many) of the evil spirit of Jezebel (see 1 Kings 18:12b-14, 19:1-4, 21:7-10; 2 Kings 9:30-35).
If someone you know (or YOU) is trying to control a situation or others, you can be CERTAIN they are not being led by the Holy Spirit. If someone you know manipu-lates, lies and does whatever else attempting to control you/others/the church (yes it happens a lot in church), don’t make excuses for it. Accept it for what it is (a spirit of control/Jezebel Spirit).
When we are tempted to control, to manipulate a situation or others to get what we want, or even to try to/keep stop someone from sinning, it goes against the very nature of God! We must resist the urge – “resist the devil and he will flee.” We must increase our faith (by reading/studying God’s Word every day) so we trust God in every situation. We must give complete control of ourselves and every situation that presents itself over to God and the Holy Spirit, in faith believing He is “working all things together for our good.”
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If you have been guilty of trying to control others, follow these steps for RESTORATION:
1) Recognize (admit) the sin;
2) Take responsibility and Repent for the action (to God and others);
3) Renounce the sin as dead works;
4) Remove the stronghold/spirit of Jezebel by commanding it leave in Jesus’ Name,
shut the spiritual door that was opened, sealing with the Blood of Jesus; and
5) Resist (DON'T DO IT AGAIN) so the door is not opened again!
Resisting the urge to control,
Delann Conrad
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