Tools of Apologetics 1.8.1
Resisting Mind Manipulation
Analyzing The Methods Which The World Uses To Fight Truth
Chapter 1
The Results Of Mind Manipulation
Though numerous philosophies and opinions surround us, ultimately all of them belong to just two groups: the Divine Viewpoint and the Human Viewpoint. All our lives we shall have to face the struggle between these two viewpoints, with each one of them trying to control us. As long as present human life lasts on earth, this fight will go on. There is no way to escape this struggle. Whether we are headed for blessing or cursing in life would depend upon which of these viewpoints we continually choose.
The way in which Peter was indirectly pressured in Galatia by the Jewish believers is an example of this ongoing struggle between the two viewpoints. In this case Paul had to rebuke Peter so as to show him the Divine viewpoint. The way in which Abraham lied about his wife, the way in which Samson rejected the Biblical advice of his parents, and the way in which Solomon listened meekly to his gentile wives are examples of believers walking according to Human Viewpoint.
No believer is perfect, and everyone occasionally falls into the trap of seeing only from the Human Viewpoint. However, if believers willingly choose to walk continually according to the Human Viewpoint, they open themselves to harmful changes at the mental level. Such changes are often long-lasting, and they have deep impact upon believers’ overall outlook. The barriers are defeated, and they indulge in things in which they ought not be involved.
The actual changes taking place in the minds of careless believers are too numerous to list in a book because they manifest in many ways in the lives of individuals. However, all of them can be placed in a small number of categories. Once these categories are understood, it is easy to discern the numerous ways in which these changes manifest themselves. These categories are:
1-Changing Of Values
2-Shifting Of Focus
3-Uncontrollable Thought Life
4-Sinful Choices
We shall study these in detail in the next chapters, followed by the methods to resist them.
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