Scapegoat and Gaslighting: Tools of the Enemy

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Jealousy and hatred are tools the enemy uses to gaslight and scapegoat people. These tactics can leave people confused and hurt. But God’s Word teaches us who we are in Christ, and we can stand strong against these attacks. We can believe who we are and trust our wisdom, experiences and the Holy Spirit.

What is Gaslighting and Scapegoating?

Gaslighting is when someone manipulates another person to make them doubt their own reality. Scapegoating is blaming someone unfairly for problems they didn’t cause. Both of these are rooted in jealousy and hatred, which are not from God.  Gaslighting and scapegoating are both manipulative tactics often used in abusive relationships, whether personal, familial, or even in larger group dynamics. They both involve the distortion of reality to control or undermine someone, but they do so in different ways:

1. Gaslighting:

• Definition: Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where the abuser makes the victim doubt their own perception, memory, or reality. The goal is to make the victim feel confused, anxious, and less confident in their thoughts and feelings.
• How It Works: The gas lighter may deny events that happened, twist facts, or blame the victim for being “too sensitive” or “imagining things.” Over time, the victim might begin questioning their reality and sanity.
• Example: A person repeatedly tells their partner that something never happened, even though it did, or insists that the partner is “misremembering” events to make them doubt their own experience.

2. Scapegoating:

• Definition: Scapegoating is the act of singling out one person or group for blame, often to deflect attention away from the real issue or to protect the interests of the abuser or dominant group.
• How It Works: In families or groups, the scapegoated person is unfairly blamed for problems, criticized harshly, and often ostracized. This allows the abuser or the group to avoid facing their own faults or responsibilities by making the scapegoat a target for blame.
• Example: In a dysfunctional family, one child might be blamed for every conflict or problem, even when the issues are caused by the behavior of others. This child becomes the “problem” while others are shielded from accountability.

The Enemy’s Plan

The Bible warns us about the enemy’s tactics. In John 10:10 (KJV), Jesus says: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The enemy uses jealousy and hatred to destroy relationships and create division.

Knowing Who You Are in Christ

As believers, we need to know our identity in Christ. God calls us chosen, loved, and valuable. In 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV), it says: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” When we believe what God says about us, we can resist the lies of the enemy.

Bible Story: Joseph and His Brothers

A powerful example of scapegoating and gaslighting is found in Genesis 37 KJV. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because their father favored him. They plotted against him, sold him into slavery, and convinced their father that he was dead. Joseph was made the scapegoat for their jealousy. He did not deserve to be sold in slavery. Originally, his brothers wanted to kill him. 

His brothers gaslighted Joseph’s father by making him believe his son was dead when he was not. Despite their actions, God had a plan for Joseph, and he later rose from slavery to a position of power in Egypt. Joseph believed who God told him he was and his place in God’s plan.  God had given Joseph visions when he was a boy.  Joseph had a spirit of excellence. No matter where he was in life he was the best he could be in everything he did. 

Solution: Stand Firm in God’s Truth

Learn scripture and repeat daily. Pray to God, Praise God and be Obedient to God. Listen when the Holy spirit speak or guide you in your life. 

Ephesians 6:10-16 KJV  tells us: ¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole amor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Psalms 32:8 KJV  “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Matthew 22:29 KJV  “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

 

Affirmations

three scriptures from the King James Version (KJV) that affirm the identity of believers:

1. 1 Peter 2:9 KJV
   “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
2. Romans 8:16-17 KJV
   “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
3. Ephesians 2:10 KJV 
   “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

These verses highlight believers as chosen, royal, God’s children, and His workmanship, affirming their valued identity in Christ.

 

Reflection Question:

In what areas of your life have you experienced gaslighting or scapegoating, and how can you better embrace your identity in Christ to stand strong against these attacks?

 

Keywords:

Scapegoat, gaslighting, jealousy and hatred, Christian identity, spiritual warfare, knowing who you are in Christ, enemy tactics, overcoming manipulation, Bible story Joseph, resisting lies of the enemy.

 

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Romans 10:17 KJV  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  YouTube Channel Click Here

 

Romans 10:9-10  9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation

 

John 3:5-6  5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.