This Devotional Is Part Of A Special Continuing Series Related To Dependency And Co-dependency Issues. Rules Of Godly Common Sense Apply.

About trying to control events and people through helplessness, guilt, coercion, threats, advice-giving, manipulation, or domination…

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (NIV)

At one time or another, we have all been guilty of trying to control others in sinful ways. When we use helplessness, guilt, coercion, threats, advice-giving, manipulation, or domination to get what we want, we are using the darkness for selfish reasons. By trying to control events or people using the darkness, we can destroy ourselves and others, all because of our selfishness. We must learn we are not to be the controller of events. We must learn we are to be a source of constructive love, compassion, and forgiveness in the world. We must, at all costs, learn to empower others, even at our own expense. When we learn to empower others rather than trying to use them for our own gain, we and they live in victory.