Trust God’s Truth Over Human Schemes

This story of manipulation warns us how easily deception can unravel—reminding us to trust God’s truth over human schemes and appearances.

“When David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. And at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.”—2 Samuel 11:13 NKJV

Louis-Antoine Jullien, born in France in 1812, began organizing and conducting concerts before he moved to London in 1838, where his concerts became phenomenally successful. He arrived “without a penny” but became the most prosperous man in London.

Jullien found that he could shape popular opinion for his own profit and manipulate the public for a season. But trends and fashions eventually changed, and all his manipulative powers were unable to save him.

Plagued by more financial problems, he went on tour in America, capped by a concert produced by P.T. Barnum. But after returning to London, Jullien’s debts mounted again, and he died in 1860, poor and in an insane asylum.

Many throughout history have sought to manipulate others to achieve their personal objectives. Even a man like King David sought to manipulate events to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba. When she became pregnant, David called her husband Uriah back from the front, hoping to cover up his sin. But David’s scheme failed. God knew the truth, and David’s sins were revealed.

The world is filled with manipulators. Stay on guard against manipulation by the press, celebrities, politicians, or so-called experts. Ask God for spiritual discernment and wisdom. Place your trust in Him and His unchanging Word—not in the world’s shifting sand or today’s fashions or opinions.

Reflection Question: Where can you resist the urge to manipulate outcomes and trust God?