“It is sometimes possible to change the attitudes of millions but impossible to change the attitude of one man.”
– Edward Bernays

Author and press agent Edward Bernays, popularly known as the “father of public relations,” understood the dynamics of social psychology, marketing, and propaganda. Throughout history, various people have impressed rigid domination over vast masses of people to acquire positions of political influence and power. Men such as Adolf Hitler, Idi Amin, Vlad the Impaler, Saddam Hussein, and Pol Pot; Joseph Stalin & Vladimir Lenin (pictured above) are a few who scar the halls of human atrocities. Guilty for the slaughter of hundreds of millions of innocent people, these godless rulers climbed the ladders of hatred, torture, and genocide.

The Agents of Change & Persuasion

Persuasion, propaganda, rhetoric, and manipulation were, and still are, the tools by which men take advantage of the hearts and minds of people. However, this phenomenon is not new; Absalom, the son of King David, usurped his father’s throne in like manner. Just as the enticing Trojan Horse entered Troy to win the war for the Greeks, so also, a throne is often peaceably given to an aspiring dictator rather than surrendered forcibly. 

How did Adolf Hitler persuade an entire nation to believe in a Nazi future?

The processes which lead to a hostile seizure is systematic. For example, prior to the Nazi takeover in Germany, various referendums signaled an impending crisis. In 1928, gun registration laws allowed the government to accurately identify each individual in society; this was a ploy to usher a greater restriction upon the Jewish people. In 1938, the Nazi Weapons Law (Waffengesetz) outlawed the possession of firearms by anyone who opposed the Nazis regime.

Step by step; year by year; the Nazi party acquired momentum in shaping a future of national control, and eventually, an anticipated international domination.

The ancient philosopher Heraclitus once wrote, “The only constant in life is change.”

As the teacher instructs her students, so will a society, and its leaders, influence its citizens. The motives of influential leaders will always shift their people towards change—either progressive or regressive, for evil or for good. Persuasion, the undergirding tool used to introduce an agenda, steers a leader to influence his constituents. Change is inevitable and unavoidable; it will manifest in either of two differing avenues.

The apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome of these opposing avenues of change.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2, KJV).

Be Not Conformed to This World

2017 is skidding to a screeching halt. The church stands upon the precipice of new challenges, new battles, and new territory. We are living in unprecedented times. The church and the surrounding world systems are being shaken unlike ever before. Some people are “falling away” from the faith once delivered to the saints; others are being born again of water and Spirit—being led of the Spirit—bringing a heightened fervor and an increased expectation to the Kingdom of God!

Lurking around the corner of 2018 are various dangers, namely, the influence of technology. I will briefly outline the agenda behind this seemingly aggressive and influential movement.

Why are companies and governments so insistent upon fusing mankind with machine?

If anyone has ever owned or operated a computer, cyber-attacks were a concern. The method of such an attack is outlined in the various stages.

• Gathering Information
• Development of Relationship
• Exploitation of Relationship

An attacker, in a clever endeavor, gathers sensitive and personal information from his victims. Either through a willful exchange or a hostile seizure, a relationship is developed—but soon exploited, for a particular reason, such as theft of finances and personal assets. Temperance, self-control, and wisdom is needed when using technology. If we are not wise, the Devil will use technology to his advantage, as he does with any other device in society, to establish a relationship between the church and the world, a bond which causes enmity or opposition to God—in order to destroy the divine relationship established between the saints and Jesus Christ.

A fine line exists between enjoying leisure activities and fueling an addiction. An addiction to any substance, hobby, or otherwise, will mold the mind; it will “engineer” the body’s responses, reactions, and emotional tendencies.

Some have called technology’s influence on society an act of “social engineering”—“…the art, or better yet, the science of skillfully maneuvering human beings to take action in some aspect of their lives.”

– Christ Hadnagy

Technology in excess affects and shapes the minds of its users. Drugs affect and mold the personalities of its users. Hollywood damages the purity of its users. A breach in the wall allows the enemy through the gate. However, how often do we willingly open the door to the enemy?

“More often than not, cyber criminals target people rather than technology because they are far easier to manipulate. Why break through a wall if you can convince someone to open the door?”–Bit9 employee

Be Ye Transformed

To remain static in our knowledge and understanding is a mistake. Learning, growing, and developing our God given talents and gifts are a significant aspect of Kingdom living. However, the agent or influencer of change is a key factor in whether someone will serve the Devil and this world, or serve God and His kingdom.

By allowing the Holy Ghost to transform our minds and hearts, by submitting ourselves to the Word, will, and way of God, in seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness, in surrendering our emotions, intellect, passions, and desires—we will selectively choose whom we will serve.

Battles wax fierce on many fronts. The Technetronic age, along with its adverse effects, has impressed great pressure upon the church. Social engineering, the evils of the transhumanism, and the ongoing push towards a one-world government, one-world economic system, and one-world religion, has caused the church to revert to her roots in the Book of Acts. Where prayer meetings have been abandoned, they are resurfacing. Where healing lines ended, people are lining up again to receive God’s healing and deliverance.

Some Questions Are Worth Asking.

Who is influencing us?

–(Politicians, family members, friends, Holy Ghost, pastor, the ministry, co-workers, etc.)

What is influencing us?

–(Teachings, philosophies, persuasions, lifestyles, fads, fashions, the Word of God, books, music, etc.)

Where are we being influenced? (Jobsite, place of worship, sleep, leisure time, home, in transit, prayer meetings, laptop, etc.)

Why are we being influenced? (Particular agenda, future of the soul, destiny, callings ministerial mantle, etc.)

People will change, either from glory to glory by the renewing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or from corruptible (physical birth) to corruptible (physical and spiritual death); however, Jesus does not change.

The writer of Hebrews admonishes the Messianic Jews of their need to submit unto spiritual authority, believe in an unchangeable God, and resist doctrines of falsity and subversion.

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein” (Hebrews 13:7-9, KJV).

Humanistic Conformation vs. Divine Transformation

We must prevent the Devil and this world’s systems from initiating a breach or a break in our lives. Essential to constructing our offensive weaponry, and imperative to maintaining our defensive rampart, the church is designed to be on vanguard over the sensitive areas in our lives. We must…

• Guard our hearts
• Gird up our minds
• Preserve our purity
• Protect our families
• Proclaim our witness
• Maintain our sanctity
• Sharpen our testimony
• Strengthen our prayer life
• Maintain a hedge around our spirit

We ought not allow false prophets and false teachers to deceive, destroy, or seduce us into believing their lies. We must not allow the dictators of this world to manipulate our minds and hearts. Rather, I pray God will help us to yield unto the transforming power of God’s Word and Spirit. Revival is the answer to the problems of our day!

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ”

–Apostle Paul