Reading: Ephesians 6
Influence:
The word influence is only used once in the King James version of the Bible. It was when Yahweh asked Job this question:
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Job 38:31 |
"Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades?" |
Pleiades is the cluster of stars in the sky called the Seven Sisters. To the naked eye one star is normally invisible. A good telescope will reveal that there are about 50 or 60 stars clustered in that area; though as long ago as 1888 a photographic chart showed 2326 stars. No doubt with modern equipment one would see many thousands more in that group of stars. For this reason the word Pleiades is frequently applied to a group of poets, philosophers and thinkers. Yahweh asked Job "Canst thou bind the sweet influence of a 'group of thinkers?' The answer to all the questions in Job chapter 38 are - No. The sweet influence of even the smallest group (which usually has far more members than are first visible) is enormous. It cannot be bound, especially if the group is thinking the right thoughts and proclaiming the truth. Sad to say, however, some 'groups of thinkers' put out error and alas! - they also exert an influence.
But in the final analysis, it is the powers behind the thinkers, the real influencing powers, the unseen spiritual powers in heavenly places that determine whose influence will be the stronger, for good or for evil.
Wrestling is a very ancient sport and is popular all over the world. It is a test of strength, stamina, speed and skill. It is rarely over in seconds like boxing; but goes on bout after bout till one of the opponents is totally exhausted and gives up. Believe it or not all of us are wrestlers, engaged in a bout which lasts all our lives.
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Genesis 32:24-32 |
"And Jacob was left alone and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day ... And He said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he (Jacob) said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." |
Yahweh is a spiritual power for good. If we wrestle with Him and persevere, He will most certainly bless us as He blessed Jacob of old. Points to remember in these verses are:
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v24 |
One wrestles with Yahweh alone - often at dead of night. It is never a quick match; but lasts one's whole life through. |
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v26 |
Yahweh often gives the appearance of wanting to leave us. Though in actual fact He is extremely keen on blessing us. But He must be certain that His blessing is really wanted. So He makes out that He needs to leave; but is all the while awaiting the invitation to stay. This divine trait is seen in Luke 24:28: "And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further." |
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v27 |
What is thy name? What is your character, your true self, your aims and purposes? Yahweh always examines a believer's motives. |
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v28 |
Often a change of Name (character and purpose) is needed before the Most High can bless. But because you have displayed perseverance and good motives, you will be given a new name. (ISRAEL - Ruling with God) You will be allowed to rule with the Most High. |
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v31 |
The limp. In actual fact we are no match for Yahweh. And even though He allows us to rule with Him, our personal powers are very limited. Even in victory we limp. Indeed, when we feel our weekness - we are at our best. When we are proud, we are useless to Him and to all others. |
The Devil is a mighty archangel who revolted against Yahweh. (Eze.28:13-15) The Devil is an extremely powerful being. Without Yahweh's help we are no match for the Devil or his angels. The Devil is the opponent of everyone who decides to follow Christ. The term devil is often applied to all evil angels.
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Ephesians 6:12 |
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places." |
Notice that our opponents are sometimes in groups: (Pleiades) - principalities. A principality is a group power - composed of many individuals. In other words we have many opponents and they have influence in (spiritual) high places. Like Pleiades on high they too number far more than is first evident. There are many of them behind the scenes, invisible to the naked eye. And they are powerful.
Here is an example of their power.
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Daniel 10:12-14 |
"... Fear not Daniel, for from the first day though didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the Kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and remained there with the King of Persia." |
Here we can see the enormous powers evil angels have. This devil, called the Prince of Persia, was even able to withstand the archangel Gabriel, who presumably was the angel messenger mentioned in Daniel 10. The Prince of Persia, a demon of enormous power, delayed Yahweh's answer to Daniel's prayer for 21 days! Indeed so fearful were the other angels of him that they did not support Gabriel when he needed help. "And there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince." (Daniel 10:21) The only persons more powerful than Satan are Yahweh and His Son Yeshua. Without their assistance we are no match for the Evil One or his angels.
Resisting and overcoming the devil is by far the greatest challenge any believer can face. How should we go about this? How do we start and what strategy should we follow? Here are a few clues.
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Leviticus 17:7 |
"And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations." |
The very first thing we must do is to stop 'sacrificing to devils.' This means we must jettison all pagan religious practices and forms of worship. Every religious practice which conflicts with Yahweh's law must be abandoned. This is the first step in overcoming the devil. And until it is taken, other objectives will not be reached.
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Ephesians 4:27 |
"Neither give place to the devil." |
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1 Peter 5:8 |
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour." |
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James 4:7 |
"Resist the devil and he will flee from thee." |
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Luke 10:17 |
"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Rabbi, even he demons are subject unto us through Thy Name." |
The world has still to learn of the power that resides in the very Name of the Most High. Use His name YAHWEH, and the name of His Son Yahshua, to subjugate the devil and his angels.
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