The Weapon of Influence
Robert Wurtz II
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:26–27 KJV)
“From our leaders and the media they use to reach the public, we accept the evidence and the demarcation of issues bearing upon public questions; from some ethical teacher, be it a minister, a favorite essayist, or merely prevailing opinion, we accept a standardized code of social conduct to which we conform most of the time.” (Edward Bernays, Propaganda, 1928)
Edward Bernays was all about manufacturing consent. He understood that people don’t research things as they should, but adopt the views of people they like or respect. Therefore, they are easily manipulated. The process is simple. Get the vulnerable person to trust you and then abuse that trust to control the person. By the time they realize they’ve been deceived or defrauded, it’s too late. To the deceiver, it’s a victory, but to God it is wickedness.
One of the ways the enemy destroys vast numbers of people is by leading them into error through the influence of people they have come to like, love, or admire. Once a relationship is established, and an evil person has someone “in their hip pocket,” they may convince them that almost anything is true. The charm causes the unsuspecting person to lower their guard. That is the subtle power of a relationship. This is especially true for people who tend to follow the crowd rather than research topics on their own.
The Abuse of Relationship
The enemy knows that relationships are among the greatest means of controlling a person and their beliefs. If he can use a relationship to influence someone else, a domino effect can occur, putting an entire progeny at risk. Take a young man or woman, for example. They may have grown up with Biblical values but met someone in High School or College who captured their heart and turned them completely away from God or to a cult of some kind.
The relationship assaulted the person’s reason and overthrew their upbringing. Whereas the parents spent their entire lives raising the child to serve God, the new relationship now trumps everything. This is why God warned Israel not to become involved with the idolatrous nations.
Unequally Yoked
Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire. (Deuteronomy 7:3–5 NKJV)
Notice that the passage says the daughters of the idolaters will turn your sons away from following Me. This may be the Old Covenant, but there is a timeless principle here. Relationships have the power to completely overthrow a person’s belief system. In fact, they can turn a person completely away from the One True God to false gods.
Charmed to Deception
Have you ever noticed how, when a person is “likable,” they can nearly get by with murder, but if they are “unlikable,” they can do no right? Take politicians, for example. Since the dawn of pictures and sound, men have been able to sell themselves as “likable” characters. The word is “charm.” Politicians win votes by coming across as charming. They shake your hand and smile to appear agreeable and friendly. Once they earn your admiration, they control you and your vote. Modern media allows them to market calculated personas to the masses, driving the dishonesty and fakeness Edward Bernays described.
Former President Richard Nixon once advised a comrade on how to win the people’s vote. His surprising answer? “Lose twenty pounds.” We may ask, “Are people really that shallow?” Unfortunately, many are. They are seduced into thinking a certain way by people who know how to manipulate them. People want to be wanted. This is a basic human desire, whether we are conscious of it or not. If they can appeal to someone’s unconscious desires, they can control their decision-making and take advantage of them. The smile says, “I like you!” But it’s generally false. They get your vote or your money and then have no use for you.
Win Friends?
Have you ever wondered why some people never take a stand on difficult subjects? Often it’s because they want everybody to like them. They are too concerned about building up appearances to let an important or controversial subject tarnish their glow. Jesus was never concerned about His “image” and “reputation.” He was no deceiver. His approach to winning men and women was to tell them the truth and let their consciences do the work. He never solicited or moved with ulterior motives. He did not manipulate a “yes” from people. In fact, He went to great lengths to test a person’s “yes” before He would believe them.
Another strategy is to harp on hot-button topics that stir their support base and feign friendship. To the audience, you appear to be like-minded friends. But then you realize they used these topics to gain influence and didn’t really feel strongly about them. They are friends of the little man, the less fortunate, the common man, the working man, the working class, small business owners, the middle class, the family, farmers, coal miners, taxpayers, veterans, first responders, law enforcement, teachers, organized labor, working families, everyday Americans, the forgotten man, youth, students, women, the environment, consumers, taxpayers, freedom, democracy, peace, law and order, innovation, free enterprise, the Constitution, local communities and a host of other things. Once they get the vote or support, your usefulness is gone. It was a sham.
Duped By Deceivers
John writes, These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. The enemy was working in the churches, through people, to lead the saints astray. Think about how many have used their “smooth words and flattering speech to deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:18b NKJV) They sport their charm and other carnal means to achieve their own ends. All the while, the true men and women of God are marginalized.
I recall an old western song that depicts a woman at home alone when a knock comes to the door. “Lord, it’s the Devil,” She exclaims, “Would you look at him? I heard about him, but I never dreamed… He would have blue eyes and blue jeans.” This witness is true. This is the power of charm. This is the power of seduction.
Multitudes are seduced by the devil every day. He comes dressed as an angel of light and lures away scores of unsuspecting—undiscerning — people. Never mind what his values are, look at him! Can’t you see how beautiful he is? Listen to him, can’t you hear how charming he is?
Seducers of the Saints
The apostles were forever dealing with this type of people who tried to come in and seduce the saints. People would make fun of the way Paul looked and spoke — favoring those who looked and talked the part better. What did he say?
“But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.” (1 Corinthians 4:19 NKJV)
While the masses are swooning after those who come dressed as angels of light, Paul said he would discern the power they were moving in. This is key. Do the words the person speaks resonate in the conscience? Is the Holy Spirit backing the message? This was Paul’s concern. There are a lot of smooth talkers in the world, but few who speak for God.
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