Before I continue with another and final spiritual influence that as Believers in Jesus Christ we can experience, let me re-cap so far.
God’s Spirit the Holy Spirit
I mentioned first that God’s Spirit is the most important influence that we must learn to discern and obey. God has a purpose and plan for your life which is to advance the Kingdom of God. As we are obedient in that effort God will bless you and lead you into the abundant life. That abundant life encompasses your health, emotions, relationships, and destiny. Show More
Spirit of Human Beings
The second area of influence was what I called the human spirit. Since we are spiritual beings our spirit is able to communicate with the spirit of other human beings. Relationships are based upon this kind of communication.
We need to see this kind of communication on two levels:
The first is our own human spirit. When we were born-again our spirit was made alive and able to communicate with God’s spirit. The influence of God’s Holy Spirit is what produces change or transformation to become more and more like Jesus. Nevertheless, our own human spirit has spent a life-time, before you knew Jesus Christ, looking out for your own interest. That is how you can discern the human spirit; it tends to be all about you! Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, your spirit will begin to take on the character of the Holy Spirit… best seen as producing the following characteristics; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The second area to consider is the fact that your spirit can be influenced by the spirit of other people. That influence can be either positive or negative. That’s why it is so important to choose your friends and associates wisely.
The Spirit of the Devil
There are many Christians who do not take the reality of Satan and demons seriously. They accept the spiritual nature of a benevolent God and yet deny the spiritual nature of a malevolent devil. Yet the basis of our belief in God is the Bible and the same Bible speaks of an evil presence that wants to drive a wedge between you and your God.
In the spirit of knowing your enemy let’s look at a number of titles Satan, or the Devil, has been given in Scripture. These titles are very descriptive of his character and nature. The following is adapted from an article on the BlueLetterBible.org website.
1. Satan– Fifty-two times in Scripture this being is designated as Satan. “Now it came about on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, that Satan also came among them” (Job 1:6).
2. The Devil– This is one of the most popular names for this personage. It only appears in the New Testament. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil (Matthew 4:1)”. The Devil literally means “slanderer.” Satan is called this because he slanders both God and humanity. In the Garden of Eden, he slandered God’s character.
3. The T
4. Ruler Of Demons– This evil personage is called the ruler of the demons. But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons He drives out demons” (Matthew 9:34).
5. Beelzebub– Satan is known as Beelzebub, which means “lord of the flies,” or “lord of dung.” “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons” (Matthew 12:24)
6. The Evil One– Satan is also called the “evil one.” When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path” (Matthew 13:19).
7. The Enemy– He is the enemy of humanity. “and the enemy who sowed them is the Devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels” (Matthew 13:39).
8. The Father of Lies– He is the one who originated lies. “When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own nature: for he is a liar, and the father thereof” (John 8:44).
9. Murderer– This fallen angel is also a murderer. “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44).
As you can see Satan, or the Devil, is known by a number of names in Scripture. All of these names point to his evil character. The chief characteristics we find in this creature are his hostility, cunning, power, and evil intent toward God and His people. Despite this shrewd foe remember this, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” 1 John 4:4.
