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23
Fueling and feeding the very behaviour that has worked for others most of their youth, will
die when faced with a new response.
2 TITUS 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who
call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
We must examine the areas of our thinking that are causing not only ourselves to
stumble, but also those that we interact with.
When situations arise, it is important to delve inside to see if there is a tendency to
manipulate others by what we say or do.
We may not be aware that we do it, but if we can be honest, we may realise that we do it
for the sole purpose of having our way, an illusion that seems to make us feel powerful or
in control, a temporary condition, but a quick fix.
Is it not GOD that is supposed to be in control?
ISAIAH 55:7-8
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him
return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will
abundantly pardon.
8 " For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the
LORD.
Questions to consider:
Do we use strategies that we know will sway another to be, do or go the way we want them
to for our own gains?
Do we tell ourselves that it is what God wants when in fact it isn’t?
Do we persuade others by using terms or borrowed statements of those that are respected,
in order to control the path of another?
Either way the strategies differ according to the person.
E.G: Lets use a person that enjoys eating good food, we invite them over, if they decline,
do we immediately tell them of the delicious variety of food at their disposal, hoping to
tempt them to come?
Do we play the victim who needs their personal attendance?
Do we resort to tears hoping to play on another’s sympathy for the result that we desire,
perhaps a subtle tantrum?
Failing that, do we suddenly recite the guest list hoping that one of the names on the list
may appeal to the listener?
Do we use a reputable name just to get things going our way?
Are we trusting in our own abilities?
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