We're probably all familiar with the term "gaslighting" by now. If not, here is a quick and simple definition that I find explains this psychological manipulation in our modern culture. "Gaslighting" involves the subtle, yet intentional, scheme to convince one that their beliefs, points of view, and convictions on a given topic are questionable or in dispute, causing at the very least doubt and skepticism.
It has become a useful tool in the sphere of politics and corporate maneuvering. The power of social media makes it a willing accomplice among those who seek to control and divide the masses. But now Gaslighting has entered the realm of Faith. Satan has found it useful to introduce not only doubt among Christian believers in their Biblical foundations and worldview, but also uncertainty, questioning, and mistrust. If you are bold enough, in today's world, to declare your unwavering conviction and faith in the truth of God's Word in the Bible, then sooner or later, you will experience some form of spiritual gaslighting.
Whether inside or outside of our churches, we must suit up with the Armor of God, and prepare to defend our Biblical worldview. That requires a very solid and thorough understanding of the hermeneutical and historical context of the Word, along with a deep-rooted personal relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. You see, many of Satan's partners in spiritual gaslighting know the Bible better than those in Christian circles. The goal of these diabolical partners is to challenge your belief system in the hopes they can inject a seed of doubt or uncertainty -- just enough to introduce a subtle difference that will cause you to start questioning what you've long perceived as Truth.
In fact, they use just enough truth from the Bible or Church doctrine so that their argument sounds plausible, especially when sprinkled with a false, yet reasonable, view of Christ. They will point out Jesus's heart for sinners -- the Samaritan woman at the well; the woman caught in adultery; the Gerasene demoniac; the Prodigal son. The Gaslighters will pronounce the loving heart of Jesus towards these people who were living in ways the Bible condemns, yet Jesus did not spurn them. He loved them and forgave their sins. And then comes the masterful way in which Satan throws confusion into our Biblical understanding. Why aren't you, Christian, showing the same love for these wayward people?
As a Christian, you should point out that, yes, Jesus loved and forgave these sinners, but their forgiveness was based on following His instruction to "Go, and sin no more". Jesus never condones or permits sin. Jesus also makes it clear that only the one who is without sin can cast the first stone, implying that He knows who sins and who doesn't, and judgment is part of His righteous and holy character. We are also told that we are not to judge another's actions, because first of all, we don't know the condition of their heart, but Jesus does. And the judgment we pronounce will be how we are judged. BUT, the Bible tells us we can identify people by the fruit [or lack thereof] that they produce in their lives.
The gaslighters just want to challenge the steadfastness of your faith, bringing into question the Christian's spiritual depth of character. They are not concerned with the truth of their challenge, only their ability to cause doubt or suspicion of your Biblical worldview in order to bolster their false claims that Jesus loved all sinners. They will use Jesus's admonition to "love your neighbor as yourself " against you in order to prove that you are not loving like Jesus, at all. Again, it is an opening to label you [and the Christian faith] as unloving, religious bigots, hypocrites, haters, and any other label that goes against their unBiblical lifestyles. By convincing the gullible public that Jesus was, in reality, a social justice warrior on behalf of all misunderstood and maligned people, rather than the righteous and holy Son of God, they can gain acceptance for their agenda to promote a Global Beast System that is tragically and despicably Anti-Christ in nature and substance.
As the number of Christians who are willing to stand up for Jesus's True teachings declines, we see the spirit of Compromise overtaking and decimating the strength of God's Word in the world. We Christians of the 21st Century are the inheritors of centuries of the power of God's Word to transform a single life [and the world]. Just because some of Jesus's commands sound too harsh for today and don't align with the Gaslighter's compromised version of God's mercy and grace, doesn't mean we abandon them or soften them. As 19th Century Anglican Bishop J. C. Ryle once wrote, "A man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong".
Yet, in today's world of social and moral relevance, it appears that's just what we've done. The Bible's warning that a Day of Judgment is coming -- a Day in which all people will stand before God to account for our actions, whether good or evil -- has been exchanged for a lukewarm opinion that "being a good person" is enough to get us through the pearly gates. Sadly, there seems to be no recognition that there's a huge difference between God granting eternal life and condemning one to an eternal fire.
It is imperative for today's Christian that we do not water down the Righteousness of God as revealed in the Bible. It is equally crucial that we denounce the unrighteousness of people that is increasingly expressed in our daily lives. It is our duty as obedient followers of Christ to show sinners how to avoid the fires of judgment through faith in Christ and genuine repentance. It is our duty, as representatives of Jesus Christ on earth, to forego our own comfort, in favor of snatching the lost out of this world by testifying of our hope in the next. But we must also be cognizant that we will be hated by the Gaslighters and their programmers. Our reputations will suffer and our character will be dishonored. We will experience persecution, but will also receive great joy and blessings as we lead the unredeemed to the knowledge and acceptance of their Savior!
So, if you haven't been Gaslighted for your Biblical beliefs, yet ... you will. The defiance and rebellion against the fullness of the Word is escalating as we speak. We must guard our hearts and minds, and plant the Truth of the Word in rich and restorative ground. Don't take the bait when the false accusers use Scripture to try and manipulate you into doubting that God's Word is real and life-giving. We can rely on it to provide strength in trying and troublesome times. The lies that come from the mouths of Satan's provocateurs are no match for the truth that comes from the mouth of the Lord and the Spirit. When you are tempted by Gaslighters to alter or compromise your Belief system, trust in the authority of the Word, and obey it always. Jesus is our standard-bearer, and we will not be tempted.
I invite you to read an articulate and well-written article by C. R. Carmichael, entitled The Gaslighting of the Biblical Christian. It analyzes this topic in a deeper context.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
