Pastor Mike Nodland

The “new” buzzword is “gaslighting.’ Of course, it’s not new, but social media has revived its use. “Gaslighting” is a manipulation technique where one person gains power over the other in a relationship, convincing the other that their perceptions of reality are false.

It originates from an old movie about a husband who manipulated his wife into believing she was going insane by secretly dimming and brightening the lights in their home from the attic, creating a flickering. He convinced her that she was seeing things that weren’t really happening!

A classic contemporary case of “gaslighting” was John and Margaret Mitchell. John was then President Nixton’s Attorney General. I remember her and John being interviewed; she told the most outlandish stories about what was going on behind closed doors in Washington D.C. politics. Amidst her wild tales, John would give brief comments and body language, conveying to the American public that Martha was mentally ill. Everyone thought she was a joke until the Watergate investigation revealed that Martha was right! It was John Mitchell who was “gaslighting” his wife–and every American!!

No one likes to be “used,” manipulated, played the fool, or “gaslit.” However, if Nobel prizes were given out for the “Best Gaslighter,” it would be Satan! Is he manipulating you? Trust Jesus today!

Mike Nodland, pastor

Christian Fellowship Church, Vining, IA