Autism and mind games and using religion to help

[Rachie]

Hi everyone, I had the chance to take part in an autism group for my borough and they listed one of the features of autism for some people is that they do not like mind games and they like being straight forward with people. This thread is open to all people and the reason I am putting it in this section is if any faith provides remedy for dealing with mind games from others, This can be like a hall of mirrors/mirage/delusions/illusions, masks=changing the attributes of people, mind manipulation of theirs creating mystery situations which are not present and maze's on you. I do not like doing maze type things and can feel agoraphobic and need to get out.

People who do this to you may be abusive. I get treated like this at times by one condition of mine.

e.g they will be telling me to turn around and there is nobody there and then I think something is happening and more. They do it to abuse my condition on purpose.

What does this scripture say about this, of course prayer helps, and what are your thoughts to.

This is open to everyone and the use of scripture and pointers are welcome. Jesus mentioned about the spirit of confusion and fear. God helps me to cope with this if it causes overwhelming but I need to find a remedy. Is this mind games an anxiety thing that someone can overcome if done to them and how.

Let's find the way out

I will add a handout that mentions autistics some may dislike mind games.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Interesting perspective...that is, from a religious point of view. I don't subscribe to any religion, but what you are describing hits home...I can relate. As an adult, I haven't been subjected to this sort of behavior, but as a child and teenager, certainly...kids can be absolutely rotten and cruel to each other simply for entertainment value. Once certain people find your weaknesses, they can exploit them. In this case, because of our communication, social, and sensory issues some of us can have some degree of naivety, not picking up on intent (until it's too late), literalism, etc. We can be unwitting victims of some practical jokes...sometimes funny...and other times cruel, embarrassing, and harmful.

Neurotypical communication often revolves around indirect communication...using a certain language that makes the receiver go through the intellectual process of inferring or reading between the lines, as well as, establishing intent behind the message. Many autistics do not understand all of this mental juggling and would rather just get to the exact heart of the matter through some rather direct, sometimes short and rather blunt communication. Indirect language, in my opinion, is all about hiding and deception, but guised as politeness...rather twisted.

Throw in the added complexity of a manipulative personality disorder and then it can become abusive and toxic.

 

[NB79]

God values us highly, so what is more worth, a crappy bully opinion, or God's.
I say just ignore them, people that do that are not worth your time.

 

[NB79]

I actually don't know how people without God manage all the pressures, some don't and end up bad,
God promised help, and not to test you beyond your strength.

 

[Rachie]

Thank you everyone, all your comments are helpful. I am becoming to may be understand my life a bit more. When I was 17 I was told that God would give me a gift primarily for protection purposes. Recently at 52 I got to hear this and see it all come into fruition. May be this is one of the reasons why God did this for this particular behaviour of theirs. Most of my life they have been inactive but they found a loophole to come through. The Holy Spirit told me, justice is coming.

I try and do things to always remember who I am and how simple life can be. The world is round and spinning and intact and God is in charge.

 

[Xinyta]

It's a odd coincidence that I find this thread. I have been thinking about how my relationship with my parents, and others, has been based on a cycle of enabling and control. I unfortunately have been exposed to, and even engaged in, mind games for control of situations and people. Which explains why I have always struggled with conversations. Because it's always been a game in my head of being quiet or making excuses/lying, when silence isn't possible.

Not that I don't regret it. I do. But I hold it inside. I've done it for such a long time, that I give off the aura of not giving two craps about hardly anything that goes on.

As I've come along recently. I've started recognizing this. Part of how I am, is praying to God. I've been adamant in trying to sincerely seeking God for help. It's been a slow process.

 

[JayCee]

Am sorry being raised a devout Catholic as the third child out of five. My understanding
of my religion although being hopeful and much praying , My devout family life of the others in the family, perhaps only wishing to apoear as valuing religion. Was not to much of a surprise to me when I started to realize the extreme degree of hypocracy I had soent my early life being severely manipulated under to as to couch the degree of physical abuse my little sister and I lived under . And being indoctrinated into the Catholic religion through attending Parochial school , even attending retreats at a younger age . As time went on things made less and less sense. Real life did not correlate to anything like what I was living. Intimidation was the rule by which I lived under . So learning these things and the Power of Forgiveness allowed me to move forward inlife although badly stunted in my personal relationship. These are just my experiences around organized religion. But did make it through all that and although some terrible physical / emotional drawbacks .
And inspite of intial family dissolution.
Was able to get jobs and work and eventually moved that into a small business of my own
And model it upon my own fathers sole prpprietorship model of business . And please none of this is written to cause you to lose any faith in your own religion, but rather only to share my experiences. Regarding these things through eyes of my Aspie self.

 

[Rachie]

People who do these things to others can be scheming and can be seen to be devilish or plain devils as well.

E.g In a supermarket sometimes I have an eaten an apple in the store and picked up two and paid for two but eaten one in the store and keyed in two for the quantity at the self checkout. Right if someone knows you are a Christian and was being cruel they could play on you a lie and say you were stealing and you paid for both and put in two and knew it. They could be playing on you as they know you are vulnerable and have a conscience about stealing in your faith. The accusation of stealing could lead to a meltdown internally.

They can build these things on lies and the things you shouldn't do in your faith they could be provacating you in it and knotting you up. You may find it stupid and know it s not true but accusations like that and constant ones can be grating. Some people may think it is true though and that's a shame.

They can be built on the grandest lies of religious slander to like you should make oaths to your Holy Book things you shouldn't do and be hearing bizarre things to provoke your conscience.

I saw this forum and the first post it was like these ways can act, built on a web of lies.
https://www.actualized.org/forum/topic/107442-my-vision-of-the-devil/

 

[JayCee]

Thank you Rachie

 

[Rachie]

Just to let you know, I took this to a Christian forum to see what they had to say. I seldom post there but wanted to see what they suggest to unpick this with scripture and how to resolve it. Undoing the trap and mind games of schemers and manipulators of the faith and humanity

You have all been very helpful, hearing it first from those who are neurodiverse. All what they say I will pull together to try and solve it and if I do share it with helpful pointers.

I have polled my dad and he said people need to be steadfast with God through this. I have put this to my vicar as well.

 

[JayCee]

Just to let you know, I took this to a Christian forum to see what they had to say. I seldom post there but wanted to see what they suggest to unpick this with scripture and how to resolve it. Undoing the trap and mind games of schemers and manipulators of the faith and humanity

You have all been very helpful, hearing it first from those who are neurodiverse. All what they say I will pull together to try and solve it and if I do share it with helpful pointers.

I have polled my dad and he said people need to be steadfast with God through this. I have put this to my vicar as well.

Wow Rachie, I read your article, am so glad you are anle to be strong in your faith , I had experienced much of what you described , but mainly by males on the perifery of my life.
primarily . It does cause y,ou to consider on thoughts of how soon the end of days might be coming . Overall these repeated experiences and even much more serious ones . It was quite maddening , Nearly causing. me to want to take my own life .but as time passed, eventually I was able to sort it out to be the people I was interacting around .eventually .It became much more healthy to move away from the area entirely . Found these type of people had infected most aspects of any local life I lived in that area,Including the area law enforcement, which actually was hard to believe but I had hard facts about things they were gaslighting me on. So this behaviour had continued past my growing up. The. hypocrasy. Was just overwelming me . It almost seems to be a bonding thing amongst certain groups of males in general. Especially if they think. their opinion is much more valid then yours . An have a audience or similiar types to connect with. Women too though if it serves the narritive that they are trying to portray.And have male support. ( it actually causes me to doubt the sanity level of the people I interacted with in those areas).Am much likely to engage anyone these days. But I do keep an I out for those who might demostrate some degree of integrity . But even those after a period of time.
,Sometimes a very long period of time. But sometimes friendship maybe meant for only a period of time. ? Have found this type of mentality occurs much less in other Autistic individuals .Really like what you wrote on the other sight. but I must admit that since these behaviours came upon me so early in life. That am not given to call myself associated will my past religious affiliations.But do feel grateful for the basic guidance and learnings that I recieved from them.. And still periodically show up in Church with hopes that perhaps somehow , someway it has changed. ( still waiting,but perhaps it is nostalgia for my old ways of life ( possibly just hopeful naivete.) .But they do put on a good show at Christmas
time. God Bless you for having what you did!
.

 

[Rachie]

Jaycee I am so glad you found a way and that gives me encouragement and light. People can report these things to police as well too as it is abuse and I did this and it gave me a release as well. You can submit an online report and any other abuses they may done as well if possible. There is a law of faith and the law of the land. Just because you have a faith it doesn't mean you to take unnatural abuse that can be challenged. Social justice is important to me.

I tried to help someone as well and they wanted to do something for them and it wasn't showing on a website and because I couldn't do what wasn't available I was insulted I wasn't being Christian enough. It is fine with them though, but it is so easy how they can things can start.

 

[Rachie]

Hi everyone, here are some other peoples responses on this from a general forum that has a Christanity section and one from a UK entertainment forum with a general advice section where I wasn't seeking scriptural advice.

...
1)Focus on Christ, rest is noise

Rev 22:14* Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.*

Rev 22:15* For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

2)
You mentioned you are in recovery. So I suspect your familiar with the serenity prayer ?
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"

Well, I have another version for you;

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I can not change, the courage to change the person I can, and the wisdom to know it's me.

3)
just ignore and not support those who are counterproductive. Summed it up on one tidy sentence.

4)
sorry youve had to deal with this it sounds exhausting and unfair. The kind of manipulation youre describing does line up with what scripture calls the “schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). People can be tools in that, sometimes knowinglly, sometimes not, but the good news is that in Christ youre not powerless against it.

One thing that helps is remembering what Jesus said in John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Lies and mind games only gain power when we give them weight. The enemy loves to accuse (Revelation 12:10), but our conscience is not ruled by other people its ruled by Gods Word. If you know youve done nothing wrong, you can stand firm in that truth and not let false accusations bind you.

try setting firm boundaries and refusing to engage when these games start., sometimes silence is the best response (Proverbs 26:4). And spiritually, keep leaning on prayer, Scripture, and fellowship with believers who can remind you of the truth when you feel overwhelmed.

Youre right fear makes it worse. But 2 Timothy 1:7 says God has given us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Thats yours in Christ, and no one can take it away.

5)

i'd suggest visiting your doctor and seeing what they can offer, such as personal resilience courses,

6)
Try not to worry about this or you may get unwell through stress

7)
My dad- be steadfast in God

 

[Rachie]

Hi everyone, I ended up writing this post as conclusion to this to try and help others as well. Catholics are Christians as well, and I am writing about my faith, but much of this applies to everyone.
.................

Hi everyone, I felt drawn to write this post on using scripture to help support others deal with those who like to play mind games on Christians. Sometimes in life we may meet an abuser of the faith and human kind. They may be abusive, provocative, manipulative and love to play on mind games to provoke your conscience and tell you that you are committing sin and wrongdoing when you are not. They can also sometimes come out almost like a serpent in the grass hissing these words and then run away as well to come back sometimes.

How do we deal with these people.

First let me share with you one example about Jezebel who was a grand schemer in the Old Testament.

Jezebel was a corrupt woman who was a Queen and daughter of Ethbaal who didn’t worship God. Jezebel liked to reign misery, immorality and injustice on prophets of God in particular in the Old Testament. Jezebel called for a termination of the life of the Prophets of God (1 Kings 18:4, 13). At one time this called for drastic action to be taken by Obadiah to hide 100 prophets from Jezebel in a cave when she was on a rampage for them (1Kings: 4). The particular case doesn’t involve a prophet but it shows how scheming Jezebel was. There a man called Naboth who was a citizen of Jezreel and believer in God from the tribe of Issachar, and he owned a vineyard which was desired by Jezebel’s husband who was King Ahab.

Naboth wouldn’t relinquish his vineyard to the King. The King then called on his wife to manipulate and seize the vineyard from Naboth. To force Naboth to relinquish his vineyard Jezebel had him tried for crimes of blasphemy against God. Naboth was incorrectly found guilty of this crime due to false witnesses and this led to him being stoned to death. To be charged with blasphemy most likely played on Naboth's mind as it would likely cause any ordinary God fearing human being. God though sought justice for Naboth through Prophet Elijah which was fulfilled and King Jehu brought to the end her gross crimes in Kings (2 Kings 9 :30-37). Today the Jezebel figure is symbolic for men and women who lead servants of God into immorality and Jesus will end her assault when he returns to earth for judgement.

Blessed Padua (Lucrezia Bellini) who suffered from mental health challenges went through a terrible time of incorrectly being blamed for poisoning a nun and it was found to be incorrect and she suffered mind games and provocation which almost led her to a fatality where she was found walking on a high beam. God was on her side and she came through and was found not responsible and innocent and the nun recovered as well.

In life as Christians we may encounter people who to play on our conscience to provoke us with a hot spear rod for their own scheming manipulative ways.

In my experience I have been told I should watch out for fornication when it wasn’t remotely possible and not desired by me. They was using my faith to deride me and trying to overwhelm me especially as somebody who has sensory conditions and autism. God intervened in this case.

People can make grand lies as well or present things even removed from God from life itself which you will not want to hear-which will play on your conscience and can lead you to be unwell and leave name triggers in the body.

These are schemers, manipulators and mind gamers who present a web of lies to cause you harm to undermine your spiritual journey and growth. You may also be a very kind person who someone wants to take advantage of as well, especially as in our faith we are asked to support others which is good, but schemers should not be tolerated. There are vulnerable groups in this world, which may be more likely to be targetted.

What can we do about it as Christians. If you are going through this or who have been through this you are not alone.

You can report it to the police if it is a crime and seek support from loved ones and friends and the church. Personal resilience courses also may help and look after your health as this stress could cause you to become unwell if you do not look after yourself. You may want to check in with your GP also if you find this very difficult. Remind yourselves of the things in your life that helped frame your life and that you enjoyed doing and remind yourself of your values to help get you through this. You can seek spiritual counselling also by a spiritual companion which is free or low cost usually.

Unlocking scripture to find the answers

We must also remain steadfast to God and trust in God and he will see you through as it his promise that he does not abandon his children in difficult and wicked times in Psalm 37. God is also against violence as we see in Psalm 12 and his spirit stands for those who are afflicted. Remember Jesus didn't give us the spirit of fear and confusion and as Christians our spirit desires us to speak in truth, so do not partake in these lies that are said to you and remember Christ alone has paid the ransom for our lives and your life is owned by Christ alone who judges us alone which of course does not involve the manipulators of your mind false judgement about you.

Remember that Jesus said in the Beatitudes that Blessed are those who are perscueted and reviled for his sake, for their reward is the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus knows this will happen for some of his followers and that some of us may end up in jail for defending the faith, ( Revelations 2:10) , but he still asks us to seek to be liberated from this as well and he cares for his followers as well. Genuiely those who cannot be free on earth, will be rewarded with God.
God knows our hearts and thoughts the pain and disruption they have caused you. God is Unchangeable, Omnipotent (powerful) and present and values justice. Focus on the love of God of as well.

We need to remain focused on Christ-everything else they do to you is noise and immaterial

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

In some cases the serenity prayer may be helpful as well to accept where you are temporary and know that earth is not your eternal abode in Christ.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"

Try to ignore those who are counterproductive and try not to give a platform to evil doers.

This kind of manipulation does line up with what scripture calls the “schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). People can be tools in that, sometimes knowingly, sometimes not, but the good news is that in Christ you’re not powerless against it.

Focus on the truth-
One thing that helps is remembering what Jesus said in John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Lies and mind games only gain power when we give them weight. The enemy loves to accuse (Revelation 12:10), but our conscience is not ruled by other people its ruled by Gods Word. If you know you’ve done nothing wrong, you can stand firm in that truth and not let false accusations bind you.

Try setting firm boundaries and refusing to engage when these games start, sometimes silence is the best response (Proverbs 26:4). And spiritually, keep leaning on prayer, Scripture, and fellowship with believers who can remind you of the truth when you feel overwhelmed.

Remember how Jesus was silent to the Sanhedrin's who charged him with faulty charges which led to his crucifixion.

Fear makes it worse. But 2 Timothy 1:7 says God has given us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” That’s yours in Christ, and no one can take it away.

These slander can come from someone else or also yourself and your own guilty conscience which is very sensitive. This also could come from another member in the body a condition, abuse can come from them as well. Hebrews mentions about washing away a guilty conscience to perhaps consider praying to God to remove this- Hebrews: 10:22)

Good luck on breaking the web of deceit and lies. We should treat others as ourselves as Jesus told us to do and the Bible tells us abusers of mankind who will not repent will not inherit the Kingdom of God.