Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to expose the 10 demonic ways narcissists mess with your mind—the subtle yet devastating tactics they use to manipulate and control you. By the end of this post, you’ll not only recognize these warning signs but also learn how to protect yourself from the toxic mind games that can erode your peace, confidence, and even faith.

And there’s one thing narcissists say that should make you run—immediately. Stick with me because understanding these tactics is the first step to standing strong and breaking free.

How Narcissists Manipulate to Control You

Narcissists are master manipulators, using a variety of tactics to dominate you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Their goal is to sever your connection to the truth, leaving you disoriented and more susceptible to their control.

It’s like being caught in a spider’s web. At first, the strands seem delicate, almost harmless. But the more you try to navigate the situation, the tighter the web becomes, until you’re completely entangled in their trap.

Maybe you’ve mistaken their manipulation for love, or perhaps you’ve gone along with their demands just to keep the peace. Over time, you find yourself trapped in a cycle of control, unsure of how to break free. Recognizing how narcissists manipulate can help you break this cycle and regain clarity.

Let’s expose these tactics one by one.

1. Gaslighting: Blurring Your Reality

Gaslighting is like walking through a thick fog. At first, you’re confident in your steps, but with each moment, the fog grows denser, leaving you disoriented and questioning what’s real.

One of the most insidious ways how narcissists manipulate is through gaslighting. They make you doubt your perceptions, memories, and even your reality. They twist facts, deny their actions, and manipulate situations to destabilize you mentally and spiritually.

This tactic mirrors Satan’s work in Genesis 3, where he asked, “Did God really say…?” He is the ultimate truth-twister, and narcissists follow suit.
“You are of your father the devil… When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Stay grounded in truth by anchoring yourself in God’s Word. Document events if needed and seek wise counsel to help you see clearly through the fog.

2. Emotional Manipulation: Pulling Your Strings

Narcissists are like puppet masters, using guilt, fear, and insecurity to control your actions. They play on your emotions, making you feel responsible for their happiness or behavior.

This tactic reflects Satan’s nature as the ultimate deceiver, disguising manipulation as care or righteousness.
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Recognize when your emotions are being weaponized and step back to evaluate the situation objectively. Pray for discernment and wisdom to set boundaries.

3. Isolation: Building a Wall Around You

At first, their suggestions to spend more time together or their critiques of your loved ones seem innocent. But over time, they isolate you, cutting you off from your support systems and leaving you dependent on them.

This tactic stems from the spirit of division, creating disorder in your relationships and separating you from the truth.
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:16, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Resist attempts to isolate you by maintaining connections with supportive friends, family, and your faith community.

4. Mixed Messages: Creating Chaos

Being with a narcissist is like being trapped in a hall of mirrors. Their constant shifting—one day loving, the next day cold—leaves you questioning your worth and your actions.

This confusion is intentional. It’s a demonic tactic designed to keep you dependent on their approval while disorienting you spiritually.
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Recognize the chaos for what it is—a strategy to control you. Seek God’s peace and clarity through prayer and Scripture.

5. False Accusations: Shifting Blame

Narcissists often project their own wrongdoing onto you, accusing you of the very things they’ve done. This tactic keeps you on the defensive, deflecting attention away from their behavior.

This mirrors Satan’s role as the accuser:
“For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God” (Revelation 12:10, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Don’t take on guilt that isn’t yours. Stand firm in truth and refuse to let false accusations define you.

6. Love-Bombing and Devaluation: The Emotional Rollercoaster

At first, narcissists overwhelm you with affection and attention, making you feel like the center of their world. But just as quickly, they withdraw, leaving you desperate to regain their approval.

This cycle keeps you hooked, constantly chasing the validation they once gave.
“And in their greed they will exploit you with false words” (2 Peter 2:3, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Recognize the pattern and refuse to base your worth on their validation. Root your identity in Christ, not in their ever-shifting affections.

7. Refusal to Take Responsibility: Dodging Accountability

Trying to hold a narcissist accountable is like arguing with a brick wall. They will twist, deflect, and blame others to avoid taking responsibility.

This refusal is rooted in pride, which leads to destruction.
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Stop trying to convince them to take responsibility and focus on your own actions and boundaries instead.

8. Intimidation and Fear: Keeping You in Line

Narcissists use fear—whether through threats, angry outbursts, or subtle disapproval—to keep you walking on eggshells. This fear feeds their control.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV).

Protect Yourself: Stand in the power God has given you. Refuse to let intimidation dictate your choices.

A Spiritual Battle for Your Mind

Understanding how narcissists manipulate is crucial because their tactics target your mind. The enemy knows that everything begins there. If they can create confusion, self-doubt, and spiritual disconnection, they’ve succeeded in controlling you.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to stay stuck. Recognize these tactics for what they are—tools of the enemy—and arm yourself with the truth of God’s Word.

Want to go deeper? Watch my video on “The Signs That Prove Narcissists Are Controlled by Demons” here.

And don’t forget to grab your FREE Narcissist Survival Guide for practical and spiritual tips to navigate these relationships: Download here.