the controlling spirit

The devil manifests in many different forms, the most common is a controlling spirit.  His objective is to intimidate people by overpowering them with an attitude of domination.  As a pastor, I have had to deal with this spirit for nearly forty years.  The devil was faithful to send many people to tell me how to obey God.  A lot of people came to tell me what to teach and when I opted to get my messages from God they walked out.  This controlling spirit even tried to use me.  I was tempted to tell people that if they left my church they would get sick.  Thank God the Holy Spirit rebuked me before I attempted such foolishness.  What is this demon spirit that tries to use men to control and manipulate others?
 
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love and a sound mind.
 
People will attempt to control others because they are afraid the others won’t do the right thing.  There is fear and then there is a spirit of fear.  These are not the same.  Natural fear can protect us from things we don’t want.  I will not climb up on the roof of the 180 building because I am afraid I will slip in the snow that covers the metal roofing.  I’m afraid to leave my house without a jacket because I might freeze to death.  But the spirit of fear is a demon sent of the devil to maneuver people away from their own will.  Jesus told His disciples that He would suffer crucifixion, be killed and be raised from the dead, but Peter rebuked Him.
 
Mathew 16:23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, get thee behind Me satan, you are an offence to Me, for you do not savor the things that be of God.
 
Peter was influenced by the spirit of fear and Jesus rebuked that spirit that was manipulating Peter.  Peter did not realize what he did until after Jesus rose from the dead.  If a Christian knew what the devil was trying to get them to do, they wouldn’t stand for it.  The devil must be exposed before people sober up and become aware of his plots and schemes.
 
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about seeking
who he may devour.(use)
 
The best time to confront the devil is before he implements his scheme.  Sometimes it takes a Christian too long to recognize the plots of the devil.  Then they must go back and take care of all the damage they let him use them to do.  God has given us a gift, it’s kind of like a weapon and it works every time.  The spirit of fear cannot resist the power of this gift. 
 
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect (mature) love casts out fear: because fear has torment.
He that fears is not made perfect in love.   
 
If we will develop the gift of love God gave us so that it resembles God’s love, the spirit of fear cannot have any influence over us.  Love overcame the devil and destroyed his works.  The devil doesn’t have a prayer against love.  The devil hates love because it offers no door into that man’s life.  He could not manipulate Jesus because Jesus held fast to the love of His Father.  Love overcomes hatred.  That’s how God set things to be, love will not be led to sin or harm people with control.
 
Love is the desire to benefit others at the expense of self.
 
Don’t ever let the devil maneuver you to control anyone.  If you think people need to change, pray for them and let God handle the situation, that’s love at work.