Episode 1702: God doesn't gaslight

Okay so in that spirit you may be asking “What do you mean by God never Gas lights”?
Well to begin with I am incredibly careful about what and to whom I listen. Not all information is created equal to me nor is my time worth wasting listening to certain sources.
For example, I stopped listening to local news about 25 years ago. I stopped listening to broadcast news from CNN about 15 years ago. I stopped listening to Fox news about 4 years ago. I stopped reading news stories from all the online sources probably 8 years ago. Why?
Its almost all gas lighting. Ever since we went into 24-hour news with CNN in 1980 our world has been intoxicated with a constant barrage of information and most of it comes with an agenda. Before that time we had news at noon, 6 and 10 and it was snippets of must know information and even back then it was laden with biasness, but we did not know it.
So you may say “how do you get your news?
Well the more important question is “what do I need to know?” or even better what did our ancestors do?
Well the read the newspapers and simply wanted to know
1. What is going on in the country?
2. What is going on in the world?
3. What is the weather?
4. What sports teams results were there.
That takes about 15 to 20 minutes max. Beyond that it becomes excessive and quite honestly drives us away from those things we actually should be doing.
With the advent of the internet is got expositional worse. Now everyone wants to be a news source with all the podcasts and social sites.
In short everywhere we turn we are being gaslighted.

So as you know I have to bring scripture into it. But first lets define the term "gaslighting". It is a modern one, and usually used by those who are practicing it.
The concept of manipulation and deception is present throughout scripture, offering indirect warnings against those who engage in such behavior. Here are some examples:

1. Lies and Deceit:

Proverbs 6:16-19: "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush to evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a deceitful person who sows discord among brothers." This passage highlights the wickedness of lying and deception, key elements of gaslighting.

John 8:44: "You are from your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." This verse identifies the devil as "the father of lies," emphasizing the destructive nature of deception.

2. Manipulation and Control:
Gaslighting started at the very beginning!
Genesis 3:1-13: The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden serves as a cautionary tale of manipulation. The serpent, representing evil, deceives Eve and leads her to disobey God's command. This story highlights the dangers of being swayed by false words and manipulated against your own judgment.

Proverbs 26:24-26: "They make smooth talk with their lips, but their hearts are full of malice. They disguise hatred with flattering words, but their hearts are full of deceit. One who flatters a friend deceives him and leads him into a net." This passage warns against those who use flattery and deceptive words to control and manipulate others.

3. Sowing Discord and Division:
James 3:16: "But where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." This verse highlights the destructive nature of selfish ambition and jealousy, which can be used to sow discord and manipulate others.

Romans 16:17: "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles, contrary to the teaching you have received. Avoid them." This verse calls for vigilance against those who create division and discord, which can be a tactic used by gaslighters.

5. Importance of Truth and Discernment:
What did Christ say to Pilot?
Pilate's Question of Kingship:
Pilate asks Jesus, "So you are a king?" (John 18:37)
Jesus responds, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who hears my voice belongs to the truth." (John 18:37)
How did Pilot respond?
"What is truth?"
In other words even at that time Pilot was demonstrating that we make up what ever we want and that especially from the powerful is the truth, but we know it is not.
The Pilates of our day are politicians, news networks and even the prelates of our Church. They are not concerned with the real truth but their truth which is false.
John 14:6: "Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This verse emphasizes Jesus as the embodiment of truth, reminding us to seek truth and discern deception.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: "But test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." This passage encourages critical thinking and discernment, urging us to test all things against the truth and avoid any form of evil, including manipulation.

So for our scriptura only friends, while scripture does not explicitly use the term "gaslighting," it offers numerous warnings against similar behaviors. By understanding these principles, we can learn to recognize manipulation, protect ourselves from harmful relationships, and cultivate healthy relationships based on truth and respect.
So what do you do with all this?
Do as Christ did. Speak only the truth.
John 18:22-23: "When he had said this, one of the officials standing there struck Jesus with his palm, saying, 'Is that how you answer the high priest?' Jesus answered him, 'If I have spoken falsely, testify to what is false, but if I have spoken the truth, why do you strike me?'"

So, Very simply tune out all that is not of Christ and all that will not save your immortal soul or lead you to Know, to love and to serve God so we can be with him in heaven because God never Gaslights us because the truth has no basis in gaslighting, Its merely the truth.