See how someone who uses emotions is capable of stealing people’s heart.

The Bible teaches us about Absalom, son of King David, who planned in his heart to take the Israeli throne, all because of a grudge he had against his own father. Absalom was the king’s biggest threat and enemy. But how could young Absalom get the people to back him up while the king was still alive? How could the people turn against David, who fought their wars victoriously, and had conquered their love?

Absalom needed to win over the people’s heart for himself. See what he did, (my comments in red.)

After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

Here we see that he wanted to show off and impress the people (chariots and horses) to begin his plan. The fake leader used his goods to bribe his subjects and rally more followers. But, a real leader is not looking for followers, simply to help others; he ends up becoming leader through the respect he gains from them.

² 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 and such a tribe of Israel.”

Absalom strategically went to where there were people who were unhappy and unsatisfied. These people are usually the target for the thief of hearts.

³ 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 would make the person feel like he/she was abandoned by the king, and blamed him for their problem.

⁴ 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 diminishing the image of King David, almost to villain, Absalom exalted himself as the good guy of the story, the hero. The thief of hearts follows the same strategy; he makes himself seem like the hero and burns the image of the true leader.

⁵ And 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.

As the people bowed to Absalom, out of respect toward him as the son of the king, he would reach out his hands to hug and kiss them. The message this sent was: “Get up, I am just like you, I’m your brother, your friend. I’m not like the king who’s far away and you’ve never even seen.” The thief of hearts is extremely friendly, he likes to hug and make people feel they are loved and wanted. Of course, it’s obvious that he could care less about them, and just wants to use them.

⁶ 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)

In this way—through emotional means—Absalom stole the hearts of the people. After four years of doing this, he got the majority of Israel to back him up, even many who were close to the king. And the unimaginable happened: Absalom took the throne of Israel from his own father, who had to flee as though he was a thief.

Have you guarded your heart from emotions? Is it safe from those who use emotions to try and manipulate you to achieve their own personal agenda?

“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