Not Fooling Anyone

Those who try to get their way using bully and scare tactics incorporated with manipulation may, for a time, be successful. They may keep their position of power for a long time through their strong-arm ways. But in the end, it will always backfire on them because no one will be fooled forever into following their orders. Remember what the Word of God teaches: you can not fool God; He sees your true intentions clearly and will tear down the wicked in the end. 

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8

Be aware that a manipulative person is not as strong as they seem. They hide behind the facade they have worked hard to create to fool others into believing what is false. Let’s look at what facade means: an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality. What they are hiding would completely humiliate them because the truth is filthy, weak, and miserable. 

Their behavior is abrasive and so arrogant that they treat everyone as if they are below them when, in fact, they are not the big man that they appear to be but very small. Many have labeled them as a narcissist, which is a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves. Narcissists may think the world revolves around them. But we know that is not true.

For example, they may not let you finish a sentence in a conversation but continue to talk over to avoid anyone hearing your side of the story. Because you may, in fact, reveal flaws in their character. You may show that what they have said is false and find they do not have a leg to stand on. 

In addition, this type of person will demand respect, loyalty, and perfection from those who are subservient to them. Yet they refuse to reciprocate the same. If we look closely at such a person, we find they are insecure, self-centered, and live in fear. They fear that people might see the truth of who they truly are, so they cover all of it up with false strength, demanding, or dominating behavior, blaming everyone but themselves.

For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. Hosea 8:7

The fact of the matter is that they are adults but are like children, thinking they are a king of a castle, playing pretend in the middle of the living room surrounded by a pile of blankets and sofa cushions. It is all make-believe, and someday, the Father will come into the room and snatch their little kingdom from them, tear everything down, and put the furniture back into proper order.  

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight. Be assured an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:18-21

Time and time again, the Lord has said those who work wickedness for their own gain will receive what they have earned, and please believe it is not a good reward that they will collect. They need to understand that they have broken the Law of the Lord and will be judged for their actions, words, and heart motivations.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then, another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Revelation 20:12-13

If you are this kind of person because in your heart you know who you are. Do not think that you will get away with your crimes or the sins that you have committed. God sees them all and has recorded every one in His book so that you may be punished appropriately. No one will get away with it. Nothing is hidden from Him.

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

Yet God is holding out His hand for you to turn from your evil ways. Jesus came to this earth to live a truly perfect life to be sacrificed for the forgiveness of your sins. He took the punishment you deserved for all your lies, thefts, covetousness, jealousy, and self-centered behavior, not obeying the moral Law the Lord established in your heart. You know what is right and wrong; it is undeniable, considering your offense when someone does you wrong, but you choose to do what is evil anyway.

God calls all to turn from evil in repentance, believe in Jesus Christ, and follow and obey Him in all they do. God has placed a day of judgment for everyone and a time when there will not remain any more time to repent and do what is right. He has been merciful and gracious to you in that you are still living and hearing this call for you to turn to Him now. What will you do? When will you turn to Jesus for forgiveness and healing and start to earn a good reward for righteous behavior? The choice is up to you. 

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38