Episode 63: Manipulating the Riddler

<p class="p1">In Podcast Episode 63, “Manipulating the Riddler,” Kim discusses how Samson, the Riddler, was manipulated into giving up the answer to his riddle. We each need to be on guard against this powerful and destructive tool.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">The primary scripture text for this episode is Judges 14:5-19, with the focal scriptures of 16-17:</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">16 So Samson’s wife came to him in tears and said, “You don’t love me; you hate me! You have given my people a riddle, but you haven’t told me the answer.”</p> <p class="p1">“I haven’t even given the answer to my father or mother,” he replied. “Why should I tell you?” 17 So she cried whenever she was with him and kept it up for the rest of the celebration. At last, on the seventh day he told her the answer because she was tormenting him with her nagging. Then she explained the riddle to the young men.</p> <p class="p2"></p> <p class="p1">Examples of Manipulation Tactics:</p> <ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Taking advantage of someone’s fears</li> <li class="li1">“If you love me,  you would…”</li> <li class="li1">Working the system (See <a href='https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+25%3A27-27%3A40&version=NLT'>Gen. 25:27-27:40</a>)<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Find his weakness and aim for it (see Matthew 4:1-3);</li> <li class="li1">Lies, half-truths, lies of omission, slight of hand;</li> <li class="li1">It’s how you say it;</li> <li class="li1">Partners in crime.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">Sources and Resources:</p> <ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href='https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/0310247454'>Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend</a></li> <li class="li3"><a href='https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/red-flags-are-you-being-emotionally-manipulated-0917197'>Red Flags: Are You Being Emotionally Manipulated? by Zawn Villines at Good Th