Avoid controlling people & "Religious spirits"

There is a lot of information available on this topic. This post are links to the most useful.
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Dr. George Simon is a Christian clinical psychologist. He has a blog full of insightful information and practical advice on how to deal with manipulators and narcissists and other controlling characters. His Book "In Sheeps Clothing Understanding and Dealing with Manipulative People" is excellent. It is absolutely appropriate to avoid "character disturbed" people as much as possible, and to set boundaries for those who cannot be avoided. Dr. Simon makes the point that oftentimes manipulators are attracted to "ministry". Dr. Simon explains the manipulator's tactics (and there are different type of manipulators) and equally interesting - he explains what vulnerabilities in you might make you a target. It is a great book, and it is an easy read too. 

Rev. Curt Landry has a video wherein he discusses pastoring his flock, and how he and his leadership group watch and see those who prey upon others. He puts them out of the church! He also provides lists of characteristics of a religious spirit or a controlling spirit:
10 Signs You have a Religious Spirit

• You judge other people by their appearance
• You try to earn God’s love and salvation
• You try to conform to the outward holiness without inward transformation
• You are always critical of other people’s walk with God
• Your closest Christian relationships are based only on ministry activities
• You perform Christian duties but have no passion or hunger for God
• You desire position and honor in the church more than honor from God
• You identity is rooted in a lifestyle of being a Christian, instead of Christ
• You know about the truth of Jesus, but not the way of Jesus
• You project righteousness, but inwardly you are filled with anger and resentment

30 Signs of a Controlling Spirit

• Refuses to admit guilt or wrong
• Takes credit for everything
• Uses people to accomplish its agenda
• Withholds information
• Talks in confusion
• Volunteers for everything
• Lies
• Ignores people
• Never gives credit to show gratitude
• Criticizes everyone
• One-upmanship
• Sequesters information
• Uses information
• Talks incessantly
• Spiritualizes everything
• Is insubordinate
• Is pushy and domineering
• Clairvoyant
• Uses the element of surprise
• Sows seeds of discord
• Commands attention
• Is vengeful
• Attempts to make you look like you are a controlling person
• Insinuates disapproval
• Knows it all
• Is ambitious
• Gift giving
• Is independent
• Is religious
• Hides

freedom_from_the_jezebel_spirit_in_the_courts_of_heaven_-_curt_landry_ministries.pdf
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Paulette Reed did an interview with Robert Hotchkiss on the topics of controlling spirits and religious spirits. It is only 28 minutes and jam packed with information. Paulette also wrote a book "Freedom from Control", which is very short and is packed with practical information. If you are short on time, start with these two resources.

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Sid Roth and Lance Wallnau addressed controlling spirits, but a bit differently. The focus was mainly on the twisting and deceiving  aspects. They also discussed how this spirit operates to make Fake News in the political arena. A video an audio or a transcript are available.

"If you hit a moment when you are flooded, Sid, with toxic thoughts that produce rage, anger, hatred and a sense of violence towards someone or something or an idea, you can know it's not coming from Heaven."

"And that's the missing ingredient: discerning. Jesus knew. He said, "The man who is going to betray has his hand on the table." His spirit was troubled. That's far different than having toxic thoughts that are hostile and negative about another person."

"And that's the mystery because when you're dealing with a world ruler like this level, the smart strategy is to let the Lord do the deliverance. This is one spirit where what we do is we have to pull out of the emotional connection."

Kris Vallotton Blog (DO read it all -- but here is an excerpt of his "4 signs"): 
Here are four signs you’re under the influence of the spirit of Jezebel:

1. Irrational fear and insecurity.
   You may be under the influence of a spirit of Jezebel if you are dealing with irrational fears that make no sense in light of the reality of your life.
2. The spirit of suicide.
   Elijah wants to die when he comes under the influence of the spirit of Jezebel. Let’s think about where else this happens in the Bible. When Jesus met Satan in the wilderness in Matthew 4, one of the temptations was to throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple. 
3. Confusion.
   All he can remember is what went wrong. He is confused and forgot his recent breakthrough! If you can’t see clearly, feel foggy in your spirit, and are confused about where God has brought you from, you may be under the influence of this spirit.
4. Isolation.
   Elijah said to God, “I alone am left” (1 Kings 19:10) but God responds that He has 7,000 other prophets who had not bowed their knees to Baal. When you’re under the influence of a spirit of Jezebel you feel alone and think you’re the only one left. It’s like the world is coming to an end. But it’s important to remember the truth is that the world has dramatically improved in the last 100 years! You are not alone and God is moving on the earth!