How God Deals with a Gaslighter: A Biblical Perspective

Gaslighting is a term many of us are familiar with. It refers to a manipulative tactic where someone distorts reality, causing the victim to question their own judgment and perception. While it might seem like a modern psychological phenomenon, gaslighting has been around for centuries and is even mentioned in the Bible. In this article, we will explore how God addresses gaslighting, focusing on the story of King Saul, who tried to manipulate and distort the truth in front of God.

Understanding Gaslighting

Gaslighting is a subtle, insidious form of emotional manipulation. The gaslighter imposes their version of reality onto others so convincingly that it makes victims doubt their own thoughts, feelings, and even sanity. Narcissists commonly use this tactic to gain power and control over people, making them dependent on the gaslighter’s version of events. This dependency prevents the victim from trusting themselves, ultimately making them more vulnerable to continued manipulation.
Why do people, particularly narcissists, engage in gaslighting? It serves as a powerful way to maintain control. By making their victims doubt themselves, the gaslighter ensures that they can dictate the narrative, keeping the victim trapped in a cycle of confusion and compliance. It’s a tactic of emotional abuse, one that isolates victims from others and ensures the gaslighter’s version of reality dominates.

Gaslighting in the Bible: The Story of King Saul

One biblical example of gaslighting comes from the story of King Saul in the book of 1 Samuel 15. King Saul, as the leader of Israel, was given specific instructions by God through the prophet Samuel. God commanded Saul to attack the Amalekites and to destroy everything, leaving nothing alive. This command was clear: Saul was to spare nothing.
However, after the battle, Saul did not fully obey God’s instructions. Instead of destroying everything, Saul spared the best of the Amalekite livestock and their king, Agag. Despite his disobedience, Saul presented a different version of events when confronted. He claimed to have followed God’s command fully, even though his actions said otherwise. This distortion of reality mirrors the behavior of a gaslighter—someone who twists the truth and manipulates the situation to suit their own agenda.

The Two Realities of Gaslighting

In this story, we see two realities playing out. In one reality, God was deeply grieved by Saul’s disobedience. Samuel, the prophet, was also heartbroken, weeping throughout the night because of Saul’s failure to follow God’s clear instructions. This was the truth—the reality that God and Samuel were experiencing.
In the other reality, Saul believed himself to be a hero. He even went as far as setting up a monument in his honor after the battle. When Samuel approached him, Saul greeted him with confidence, saying, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” This was Saul’s alternate version of reality—a twisted version where he had convinced himself that he had done the right thing, even though he had clearly disobeyed God’s orders.
This is a classic example of gaslighting. Saul attempted to manipulate Samuel by presenting his actions in a favorable light, despite knowing he had not followed God’s instructions. He tried to control the narrative and avoid the consequences of his disobedience by distorting the truth.

God’s Response to Gaslighting

God saw right through Saul’s manipulation. When Samuel confronted Saul, Saul initially denied any wrongdoing, saying, “I did obey the Lord. I went on the mission the Lord assigned me.” He even blamed the soldiers for sparing the best livestock, shifting responsibility away from himself. However, Samuel was not deceived. He called Saul’s behavior what it truly was: rebellion and arrogance.
In response to Saul’s gaslighting, God rejected him as king of Israel. This was a powerful consequence, showing that God does not tolerate manipulation and dishonesty. Saul’s attempt to twist the truth and manipulate the situation led to his downfall. In the end, God dealt with Saul based on reality, not the alternate version of events that Saul tried to create.

Lessons from King Saul’s Gaslighting

The story of King Saul teaches us several important lessons about gaslighting and how God views it. First, no matter how convincing a gaslighter may be, God sees the truth. He is not deceived by manipulation, and He will hold gaslighters accountable for their actions. Saul’s attempt to twist the truth did not fool God, and it ultimately led to his rejection as king.
Second, we learn that gaslighting stems from pride and insecurity. Saul wanted to maintain control and protect his image, even at the expense of disobeying God. This desire to control the narrative is at the heart of gaslighting—it’s about preserving power and avoiding accountability.
Finally, we see that God values truth and obedience. When someone tries to manipulate the truth, as Saul did, they distance themselves from God’s will. God desires humility and honesty, and those who engage in gaslighting are acting in direct opposition to these values.

Modern-Day Gaslighting

In today’s world, gaslighting can take many forms. A gaslighter might say things like, “You’re too sensitive,” “I never said that,” or “You’re crazy.” These phrases are designed to make the victim question their perception of reality and become dependent on the gaslighter for the “truth.”
If you’ve experienced gaslighting, remember that God sees through it all. He knows the truth, even when others try to distort it. Just as God dealt with Saul’s gaslighting, He will deal with manipulation in our lives as well. God calls us to seek truth and to stand firm in the judgments and discernments He gives us, despite attempts to undermine our confidence.

Conclusion: Trusting God’s Truth

Gaslighting is a dangerous form of emotional abuse, but God is not deceived by it. The story of King Saul reminds us that God will always deal with gaslighters according to His truth, not their false version of reality. If you’ve been a victim of gaslighting, take comfort in knowing that God sees the truth and will act justly.
To learn more about how God addresses gaslighting and manipulation, watch this insightful video: How God DEALS with a Gaslighter.