The Horror of Gaslighting...

There’s a word I had never heard mentioned until the last couple of years.  Just the thought of anyone falling prey to its influence is horrific because of the negative ways it can affect them.  The word is gaslighting.  It is a form of psychological manipulation that can even involve emotional abuse, where someone causes another individual or group of people to doubt their own senses, memories, perceptions, or sanity.  It can also be used as a means of gaining control over someone else.

I found the following definition that states it plainly: “Gaslighting uses lying as a core component, but it is not just lying—it is a broader, long-term pattern of psychological manipulation.”

With this definition in mind, you can probably think of someone who tries to manipulate and deceive us, steal our peace, and lead us away from spiritual truth.  Scripture describes our adversary as one who goes about seeking whom he may devour.  You guessed it: the enemy of our souls—Satan.

Scripture warns us in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Satan is the father of lies and seeks to deceive those who are trying to live for Christ and walk in the light of His love.  Although gaslighting is a particular form of manipulation, the enemy’s work of deception reminds us how important it is to recognize and stand against anything that leads us away from God’s truth.

It’s important to be grounded in God’s Word so that we can stand against the enemy’s deception as he tries to trample truth underfoot.  We must hide His Word in our hearts.  It provides us with a trustworthy standard by which to recognize what is true and what is false.  Scripture provides the light that exposes the darkness where the horrors of sin dwell.

Psalm 119:105 tells us: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

How do we protect ourselves from deception when someone is deliberately trying to make us doubt what we know to be true?

The answer begins with having a trustworthy foundation by which to evaluate what we hear and experience.  That foundation is God’s Word, the Bible.  When we allow His truth to take root in our hearts, we have a firm standard by which to recognize deception and stand against it.  No amount of lying can change God’s truth, and no deception can make His Word untrue.

The enemy of our souls, who operates in darkness, may try to take precedence over truth, but Satan is not greater than the One who conquered sin through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross of Calvary.  Jesus died to free us from the bondage of sin and to give us the hope of eternal life.

Scripture encourages us in John 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The A, B, C Plan for Good Decision-Making

Decisions are sometimes hard to make, especially when pertinent information is obscure or missing.  Whenever possible, it is best to gather the facts and understand the ins and outs of a situation before making a decision.  But how can we make a good decision when our minds are filled with unanswered questions that lead to confusion?

Plan A: Seek wisdom from God.

James 1:5 tells us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

What a wonderful assurance!  When we face difficult decisions and lack the understanding we need, we can ask God for wisdom and trust Him to help us discern the best course of action.

I want to make it clear that I am not suggesting we seek answers through Ouija boards, tarot cards, seances, or other practices associated with the occult.  As believers, our guidance should come from God, His Word, and the wisdom He provides—not from spiritual practices that draw us away from Him.  I am talking about having the mind of Christ, seeking His guidance, and making sound decisions in accordance with His will.

Plan B: Seek godly counsel.

I believe godly counsel goes hand in hand with seeking the will of God.  Sometimes, another person’s wisdom and perspective can help us see things we might otherwise overlook. 

Proverbs 11:14 teaches us the value of seeking wise advice before making important decisions: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

Seeking godly counsel does not mean others will always have the answers we need.  Rather, it allows us to benefit from the wisdom and experience of those who desire to honor God in their own lives.

Now, what about Plan C?  I have given this some serious thought, and I believe faith is the foundation that holds the first two plans together.

We can gather information and seek wise counsel, but there will be times when we cannot see the whole picture or know what lies ahead.  This is where faith becomes so important. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

We may not always understand why a particular path lies before us, but we can trust the One who sees what we cannot.  Faith allows us to move forward with confidence in God’s love, trusting Him to guide our steps as we seek to follow His will and serve His Son, Jesus Christ, with all that is within us.

Hebrews 11:1 further reminds us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith does not mean we will always know what lies ahead.  It means we can trust God even when we cannot see the outcome.

The bottom line for good decision-making is this: Gather the facts, seek godly counsel, and walk by faith, trusting God to direct your steps.  We may not always have every answer, but we can seek His wisdom, follow His leading, and trust Him with what we cannot see.

We don’t have to see the whole road to trust the One who directs our steps.

That, to me, is the A, B, C plan for good decision-making.

Written by,

Papa Boyd