The Bible is clear in stating that all power belongs to God.  But also adds in Deuteronomy that we tend to come to the wrong conclusion, as comforts come, that the power and might was of our hands.  We instinctively seek freedoms to spend and create influences and impacts as we wish. From a Bible perspective, influence is a different matter altogether. The Bible is perhaps more silent about influences and many no more perceive the choices surrounding concepts of influence and power.

Influence - quoting the Merriam-Webster dictionary tends to suggest an irresistible force causing an action, an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans, an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars, an emanation of spiritual or moral force, the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command, corrupt interference with authority for personal gain, the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways. The charisma, motivation, positive thinking and personality cults borrow a lot from this definition.

Deuteronomy 8 [11]  Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: [12]  Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein ; [13]  And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; [14]  Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; [15]  Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; [16]  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; [17]  And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. [18]  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

“Influences” found sparingly in the Bible Job 38[31]  suggests cryptic causes behind visible effects.

Job 38[31]  Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

Power will of course cause an influence. Deuteronomy 8:18 explains that the influence arising from God’s power to make wealth is to establish His covenant ... bringing His purposes into existence.

The sweet influences of Pleiades refer to the effects of the activities of the heavens which are beyond our control but still mastered by God. These are less predictable and not meant to be within our scope of insight. No doubt these “influences” are being leveraged by the disobedient ... who discover their bondage often too late as they desperately and anxiously seek for influences with men and society - even to do good. 

The saints of old sought for power...even at the expense of influence. Influence was described by the late Duncan Campbell (who was used by God for a powerful spiritual awakening that swept the Outer Hebrides Islands, Scotland  in 1940-1953)  as the total of all the forces in our personality; mental, moral, academic, social and religious...which can all be had and still be destitute of power. Power not influence, was the watchword of the early Church.  Indeed we can achieve a positive prominence by our influence ...making society somewhat better – all without divine power.  But we cannot establish God’s purposes without His power.  Only God’s power will produce the divine influence to further His kingdom.  The end does not justify the means...rather the means produces the end.

Paul, Peter, James and the early apostles had incredible power but not the influence to overturn court verdicts and keep them out of jail or live a “better” life...yet their praise and prayers caused earthquakes and supernatural escapes... to further the gospel.  Paul had the opportunity to gain influence with Felix the Governor...but chose to reason of sin, righteousness and judgment.  Indeed, the Governor irritated at his lack of tact - and fed up ... wondered why Paul had no personal requests or was not keen to explore this rare opportunity for a transaction of a more practical kind.  Paul knew power with God must be first and then perhaps the impacts God has ordained.

Acts 24 [25]  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. [26]  He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. [27]  But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

The secret of power with God - Duncan Campbell writes, are not in the stars ...”The secret of power is separation from all that is unclean ...” 

God searches for who to favour with His release of power to make wealth. Revival is a visitation of God’s power that takes us back to faith basics.  Like the beloved Jacob, we may have to start all over again after we have been wrestled to submission out of ambitious plans and all uncleanness...then and only then will our impacts be of God.

Do let us pray that that He may yet visit us in mercy and that we may ascend the hill of God and stand in His holy place.  May God grant it.

Surrender your life to Christ, today.

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