Author: Larry L. French

Manipulation

This approach to life causes high levels of anxiety because in order to maintain my worth, I must make sure that I maintain “the image.”
Consequently, it results in self-centered, selfish, “all about me” and attempts to control others to conform to my expectations.

Verses

Ministering (Nurturing)

Flowing from knowledge of God’s great love for me is my love of neighbor with the objective to see the needs of others and demonstrate that love in action. This establishes an unshakable foundation of stability, security, and reliability.

A taker’s heart

A servant’s heart

“Our heart is an idol factory.”

John Calvin

My worth is based upon the opinions of others.

PROGRESSIVE SANTIFICATION

Daily grow & mature as a Christian

My worth is based upon God’s love for me.

Generosity Patience Kindness Gentleness

Popularity - Income Level

Education - Appearance

“IMAGE is everything”

Material Things - Wealth

Children’s success

The ROCK
CHRIST JESUS

I understand God’s desire is to have my worth based upon God’s love. And there are days that I experience that and then, low and behold, I revert back to doing it all in my own effort.

These props help maintain my “image”. Results in the “sin of self-protection.”
Consequently, all my efforts for living revolve around manipulating others. Otherwise, everything about me begins to crumble and fall apart. So the “props” become my “idols” for joy, fulfillment, happiness, & peace.
There is an underlying anger because of this constant source of pressure to be perfect and to be seen as someone that has it all together.

This concept of Manipulation VS Ministry is from
the book The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb
Copyright © 1999 by Larry L. French, MA