Don't Be Easily Manipulated - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) June 5, 2026

Back in the 1st century AC, a slick-tongued businessman named Demetrius roused the silversmiths of Ephesus into a rage. In no time, the entire city was in an uproar, with the people making their way to the theater where they gathered. Their anger swelled, a living thing that fed the crowd for hours, their yells rising like a crescendo, though many present had no idea what was going on (Acts 19:32).

Here's what was happening: Demetrius was angry that Paul and his fellow disciples were convincing Ephesians that they didn't need silver statues of Diana, the deity they worshiped. He encouraged them instead to believe in Jesus and the Lord, who wanted their hearts, not the money spent on purchasing statues for rituals.

As can be expected, Demetrius noticed that his profits had been impacted by Paul's preaching. With a few targeted words, he swayed others to march through the city, drawing many to protest God's message. This riot was primarily based on their profits and, secondly, on their false god. And by the time non-silversmiths got involved, they had no idea what actually propelled the turmoil.

The world is full of people like Demetrius. They understand that emotions can be weaponized for their benefit and to other people's detriment. They use this knowledge to manipulate many, including the well-meaning, who think they are lining up to achieve good. Alas, such individuals cannot yet discern the underlying spirit at work and don't realize they were deceived into agreeing with satan, as was the case in Ephesus.

This is why Christians are to pray for and apply the giftings of the Holy Spirit, of which distinguishing between spirits is one (1 Corinthians 2:14). It is also why believers in God are to guard their hearts because what is allowed to grow there will determine the course of their lives (Proverbs 4:23). These cautions, when applied, lessen the possibility of Christians getting swept up with the crowd (be it in person or online) to achieve secret and ungodly objectives.

God warns in Exodus 23:2 - “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. He doesn't want His people to be led by emotions and act mindlessly because such will lead to sin, which brings His judgment. God does not want anyone He created in His image to perish in hell (2 Peter 3:9). He, thus, counseled us through His word on what we shouldn't do so we never end up in hell.

We should always take the things that bother us to the Lord first. He will help us process our feelings, which will impact how we react. Then, we'll gain wisdom and understanding from Him who knows all things (James 1:5). And He who reveals the unsearchable things will teach us how to navigate those emotions (Jeremiah 33:3). This should be a habit for Christians so the enemy and its agents can no longer easily manipulate them.

Christians are meant to be God's sheep - those He takes responsibility to care for. They are not to be 'sheeple' who are easily manipulated to do, think, and say what advances satan's kingdom. And until believers spend more time meditating on scripture, while letting His Spirit decipher it for them, they will sadly continue to be exploited by those within and outside the 'church' who satan uses to derail people from the path of righteousness and the gospel of truth. Or they will be the ones doing the manipulating in service of the accuser.

Give your life to Christ with the Altar Call below and learn more about today's topic from the following previous P&P messages:

1. By Their Actions They Deny Him

2. Sinful Desires

3. What Kind Of Messenger Are You?

4. Spirit-Filled But Worldly?

5. Anger Leads To Judgment

6. Don't Be A Gadarene

7. Stop Living Like A Pagan

8. Don't Be satan's Mouthpiece

9. Say No To Factions

10. The Lamp, The Light, And You

11. Are You Truly A Christian?

12. Be An Acts 6:3 Person

13. Agree With God Not satan

14. Do You Belong To Christ?

15. Stop Arguing

16. The Spirit of Jealousy

17. Topic: Dear Christians

18. Topic: Paul