Take a look at how a person who knows how to use emotions is able to steal the hearts of people.
The Bible says that Absalom, the son of King David, planned in his heart to take the throne of Israel. Because of the terrible grudge that he held against his father, Absalom became the greatest enemy of the king. But how could the young man gain the support of the people to reign in his father's place, while he was still alive? Why would the people turn against David, who had fought their wars, been victorious and was so loved by them?
Absalom had to win the hearts of the people for himself. Let’s see how he did it (my comments are in red):
"After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him."
We see here that he used extravagance (chariots and horses) and the support of fifty men to start his plan. A false leader uses material goods to bribe those around him and gather more followers. But a true leader is not looking for followers, but is concerned about helping people. He becomes a leader by earning the respect of those under him.
"Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, ‘What city are you from?’ And he would say, ‘Your servant is from such a tribe of Israel.”
Absalom’s strategy was to place himself among the unhappy and dissatisfied. These people are often targets of the thief of hearts.
"Then Absalom would say to him, ‘Look, your case is good and right, but there is no deputy of the king to hear you."
Here Absalom made people feel abandoned by the king, and blamed him for their problems. The thief of hearts always urges people look for someone to blame for their misfortunes, and never wants them to rely on themselves for change.
"Moreover Absalom would say, ‘Oh, that I were made judge in the land and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me, then I would give him justice."
After dragging the king’s reputation through the mud, Absalom promoted himself as the good guy. The thief of hearts follows the same strategy: pretend to be good and drag the reputation of the true leader through the mud.
"Also so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him."
People bowed down to Absalom, respecting him as the son of the king, but he would reach out to hug and kiss them as if to say, "Arise. I'm just like you. I'm your brother, your friend. I'm not like the king who’s far away and who you cannot even see.” The thief of hearts loves to make friends, to hug, to make people feel loved and cherished. But obviously, the truth is that he doesn’t really care for them, and is only interested in using them.
"In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel." 2 Samuel 15.1-6
And so, with emotional weapons Absalom stole the hearts of the people for himself. After four years of doing this, most of Israel supported him, even those closest to the king. And the unimaginable happened: Absalom took Israel’s throne from his own father, who had to run away as if he were the thief ...
Have you protected your heart from emotions? Are you protected against those who use emotions to manipulate and push their own interests on you?
"For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. they are silly children and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Jeremiah 4.22
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