Fear is an emotion based on something real or perceived that is a threat. Sometimes we are tricked into being fearful by others who want to control us. We want to understand evil control or witchcraft so that we can rebuke it and not fall into it. Witchcraft is control via manipulation, intimidation, and domination. Sometimes people use spells and sometimes people use prayers. Sometimes the intent behind the control is evil and sometimes the intent behind the control is fear. I won’t repeat the work we did on witchcraft previously but I will note it here. What we want to identify is fear and how people ruling over us make us afraid.
One aspect of control/witchcraft is intimidation. Intimidation is bullying or threatening. When someone wants to scare us into behaving a certain way they may use this tactic. We want to keep in mind that we are not under the dogma of the cosmos and we are dead to the heavenly elements as well, as Paul told us in Colossians. The devil, the satan, the fallen angels, and evil people do not have control over us unless we allow them to control us. We want to identify people who intimidate, dominate, and who are overlords and over-authorities. Once we identify the behavior we can logically determine if their behavior is godly or ungodly, righteous or unrighteous. Yahweh set up a system of authority on earth for man to reign, but man lost some authority in the fall. In order to live above the evil ruling sovereignties and powers we have to live under the authority of our Lord and Savior.
Solomon tells us that a king may use intimidation. There are many people who believe themselves to be “kings” or rulers over others, this is a behavior that we want to be aware of and not fall into its trap. Our earthly political system is sometimes run by those who are influenced, controlled, and dominated by evil seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.
Proverbs 19:12 The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
Proverbs 19:12 G935 [2of a king G547 1 The intimidation] G3664 is likened to G1030 [2gnashing G3023 1a lion's]; G5618 but as G1161 G1408.1 dew G1909 upon G5528 the grass G3779 so is G3588 G2431 his making one happy. G1473
547 LSJ Gloss:ἀπειλή boastful promises, boasts
Dodson:ἀπειλή a threatening, threat.
TBESG:ἀπειλή threat
G:N-F
ἀπειλή, -ῆ, ἡ
[in LXX for גְּעָרָה, etc. ;]
threatening, threat:
Refs Act.4:29 9:1, Eph.6:9.† (AS)
Thayer:
1) a threatening, threat
ἀπειλή
apeilē ap-i-lay' From G546; a menace
KJV Usage: X straitly, threatening.
546 LSJ Gloss:ἀπειλέω to force back to hold out
Dodson:ἀπειλέω I threaten, forbid by threatening.
TBESG:ἀπειλέω to threaten
G:V
ἀπειλέω, -ῶ (ἀπειλή)
[in LXX: Nam.1:4 (גָּעַר), Isa.66:14 (זָעַם), Sir.19:17, al. ;]
to threaten: 1Pe.2:23; mid., Act.4:17 (see MM, VGT, see word, and cf. προσαπειλέω).† (AS)
Thayer:
1) to threaten, menace
ἀπειλέω
apeileō ap-i-leh'-o Of uncertain derivation; to menace; by implication to forbid KJV Usage: threaten.
A king may use intimidation upon his subjects, just as politicians use fear to motivate the masses to follow them. Rapsakes the politician used fear to try and get the people of Jerusalem to surrender to him.
Another verse in Proverbs written by Solomons notes the intimidation of a king being like the rage of a lion. Solomon suggests not to provoke a king. In this verse Solomon may be considering evil kings who want to enslave their subjects or lead their people into sin against the Almighty. He might also remember the stories of the Philistines and their relentless attacks against Israel.
Proverbs 20:2 G3756 [3differs not G1308 G547 1 The intimidation G935 2of a king] G2372 from the rage G3023 of a lion; G3588 and the G1161 G3947 one provoking G1473 him G2532 even G1961.1 is intermixing G264 sins G1519 against G3588 G1438 his own G5590 soul.
A politician who does not serve the Living God, the Almighty, Most High, Eternal Father, and his son Jesus Christ our Lord, should not intimidate us. The perceived fear should not enslave us. We have to break that persons intimidation over our lives. We are not to be subject under evil, Jesus triumphed over evil. However if a king like Cyrus allows the worshipping of the Almighty Father and his son Jesus Christ, it would be best not to provoke that king. Why? Because the Living God is directing his steps.
After Pentecost the Jewish religious and political leaders tried to use intimidation on the disciples. Five thousand people had just believed on Jesus due to the miracle of the lame man walking. They did not want the disciples to heal people so they put Peter and John in prison. Then the religious and political leaders discussed how to stop them.
Acts 4:17 G235 But G2443 that G3361 [2not G1909 4unto G4183 5more G1268 1it should 3be spread] G1519 among G3588 the G2992 people, G547 with intimidation G546 we should press G1473 upon them, G3371 to no longer G2980 speak G1909 in G3588 G3686 this name G3778 G3367 to not one G444 of men.
Notice that this is a group decision. They will apeilē apeileō, threaten with threatenings not to speak to others in the name of Jesus. They were going to menace with menacing, or force with forcing. These religious and political leaders did not want a commotion in the city. They did not want Rome to investigate, so they were using the strongest means possible to stop people from using the name of Jesus Christ. They were not concerned that a lame man can now walk and that there might be other people who were in physical pain that might need help. They were only concerned with themselves, keeping their positions, and shutting down the power of Jesus whom they killed. The disciples were not interested in their intimidation.
Acts 4:29 G2532 And G3569 at present, G2962 O Lord, G1896 look G1909 upon G3588 G547 their intimidations, G1473 G2532 and G1325 grant G3588 to G1401 your servants G1473 G3326 with G3954 every open manner G3956 G2980 to speak G3588 G3056 your word! G1473
Instead the disciples pray for the Lord to see the intimidation with intimidations, and allow them freedom and confidence to speak His logos. As we know, the disciples continued to spread the word of God, healing and teaching in the name of Jesus Christ all over the world. They were not intimidated by the religious political leaders’ intimidation. Basically they ignored it. This is a great lesson for us. They didn’t come under the authority of the rulers, they overrode the authority of the rulers with the power in the name of Jesus. Paul explained that we are not under the dogma of the world and we are dead to the heavenly principalities and powers of the world as well. Who is the god of this world? Who sets up the rules of the world? We are not under those rules. Peter even asked if it is better for them to obey God or men? We obey Jesus. Peter explains that Jesus is our example.
1 Peter 2:23 G3739 who G3058 being reviled G3756 did not G486 return verbal abuse; G3958 when suffering G3756 did not G546 threaten; G3860 but delivered himself up G1161 G3588 to the one G2919 judging G1346 justly;
Jesus did not threaten the Jews, religious leaders, or the Romans. Jesus did not use intimidation as they did. Instead, Jesus submitted to the Almighty, Most High, Eternal Father. Jesus was above the religious and political rules and laws and submitted to the laws of the Mighty Almighty Living God. This is what we want to do. Let people threaten us not to heal others, let people attempt to intimidate others, but instead ignore their orders and submit to Jesus Christ our Lord and the works of the Holy Spirit. Even if what the Lord says contradicts those who put themselves in authority over us, we follow Jesus as it is Christ in us. Heal people on Sunday, praise His name in the streets, we are not under the devil’s laws, we are under Jesus’ laws.
Another aspect of control which is meant to cause us fear is domination. When someone wants to dominate another, the dominant one has to appear as if they naturally have authority over lesser people. This is sneaky. Just because someone is older or perhaps has a higher educational degree does not mean that the Lord has given them the position of domination.
In Genesis, we see the Creator’s order for dominion. So far as we know, these heavenly elements continue to obey the direction of the Creator.
Genesis1:16 G2532 And G4160 God made G3588 G2316 G3588 the G1417 two G5458 [2luminaries G3588 G3173 1great]; G3588 the G5458 [2luminary G3588 G3173 1greater] G1519 for G746 beginnings G3588 of the G2250 day, G2532 and G3588 the G5458 [2luminary G3588 G1640 1lesser] G1519 for G746 beginnings G3588 of the G3571 night, G2532 and G3588 the G792 stars.
17 G2532 And G5087 [2put G1473 3them G3588 G2316 1God] G1722 in G3588 the G4733 firmament G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G5620 so as G5316 to shine G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth,
746 LSJ Gloss:ἀρχή a beginning, origin, first cause
Dodson:ἀρχή ruler, beginning (a) rule (kingly or magisterial), (b) plur: in a quasi-personal sense, almost: rulers, magistrates, (c) beginning.
Thayer:
1) beginning, origin
2) the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader
3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause
4) the extremity of a thing
4a) of the corners of a sail
5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy
5a) of angels and demons
ἀρχή
archē ar-khay' From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank) KJV Usage: beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.
The Elohim made a mega luminary to rule, in first order, over the day, and a lesser luminary to rule, in first order, over the night. The elements have a structure for dominion. Some elements are first in order or chief over others. These elements of the sun and moon are to rule or dominate the day and night. The Sun continues to shine, providing light and heat on the earth, while the moon continues to reflect the sun in a pattern that shows a cycle of time.
Genesis 1:18 G2532 and G756 to begin G3588 the G2250 day G2532 and G3588 the G3571 night, G2532 and G1316 to part G303.1 between G3588 the G5457 light G2532 and G303.1 between G3588 the G4655 darkness. G2532 And G1492 God beheld G3588 G2316 G3754 that G2570 it was good.
756 Dodson:ἄρχομαι I begin.
TBESG:ἄρχομαι to rule/begin
G:V
ἄρχω
[in LXX for חָלַל, מָשַׁל, etc. ;]
__1. to begin.
__2. to rule (see DCG, ii, 538b.): with genitive,
Refs Mrk.10:42, Rom.15:12. Mid., to begin: before ἀπό,
Refs Mat.16:21 20:8, Luk.14:18 23:5 24:27, 47, Jhn.8:9, Act.1:22 8:35 10:37, 1Pe.4:17; with inf., an Aramaic pleonasm,
Refs Mrk.1:45 2:23 5:17, Luk.3:8, al. (see M, Pro.14:1-35 f.; Dalman, Words, 27; MM, see word) (AS)
Thayer:
1) to be the first to do (anything), to begin
2) to be chief, leader, ruler
3) to begin, make a beginning
ἄρχομαι
archomai ar'-khom-ahee Middle voice of G757 (through the implication of precedence); to commence (in order of time) KJV Usage: rehearse from the) begin (-ning).
The word archomai means to “begin or rule”. The Sun rules the day, the moon rules the night. All the elements and all animals have a hierarchy. Some dominate over others. Man who is made in the image and likeness of the Elohim has control over the fish, the birds, the domestic animals, and the reptiles.
Genesis 1:26 G2532 And G2036 God said, G3588 G2316 G4160 Let us make G444 man G2596 according to G1504 [2image G2251 1our], G2532 and G2596 according to G3669 likeness! G2532 And G756 let them control G3588 the G2486 fishes G3588 of the G2281 sea, G2532 and G3588 the G4071 winged creatures G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3588 the G2934 cattle, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G2062 reptiles G3588 of the ones G2062.1 crawling G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth!
This is the order set up by the creator. This was His plan. When the devil subverted rule on the earth the devil and the satan put their own rulers and authorities in place. Yet once we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior we have Christ in us and we are not under the subverters authority any longer. Yet if we don’t know or understand this, we will allow ourselves to be bullied into submission.
Proverbs 22:7 G4145 The rich G4434 [2 the poor G756 1shall control], G2532 and G3610 servants G2398 [2to their own G1203 3masters G1155 1will lend].
The rich control the poor. The poor lend money to the rich. When the rich decide to build a road they do not use their own money. When the rich want to give money to the poor they do not use their own money. The poor are always taxed or assessed, believing that the rich will use the money wisely. Yet the rich control the poor. We simply need to pray.
In the context of the satan, Isaiah reminds us that the giants once ruled the earth. We know that the time when the giants ruled, especially before the flood, was a fearful time. Those now in Hades are angry with the satan for the deception that he used upon them.
Isaiah 14:9 G3588 G86 Hades G2736.3 from below G4087 was embittered G4876 meeting with G1473 you; G4891 [7were risen up together G1473 8against you G3956 1all G3588 2the G1095.2 3giants G3588 G756 4ruling G3588 5the G1093 6earth], G3588 the ones G1453 rising G1537 from G3588 G2362 their thrones, G1473 G3956 all G935 the kings G1484 of the nations.
As the Nephil were encouraged to come to earth and procreate with earth women, their heirs became rulers. As we studied David not long ago, we recognized that David did his best to eradicate the heirs of the Nephilim from the region. The Heirs of the Nephilim were dominators. They intentionally pursued the Israelites. We read about many people who had to overcome their fears and rise up to fight them. Yet their end is in hades or one of the prisons in the lower regions. Now that they are imprisoned they are angry for being tricked. Their anger is even greater after Jesus took back the keys to hell and death.
Coming back to Genesis, we see that man was to rule over and dominate the earth. Notice that man had limits to what he controlled. He did not control the sun or moon. The devil and his fallen spiritual beings also do not control the sun or moon. If they could, humans would have been extinguished long ago. This was the multifaceted wisdom of the Creator.
Genesis 1:28 G2532 And G2127 [2blessed G1473 3them G3588 G2316 1God], G3004 saying, G837 Grow G2532 and G4129 multiply, G2532 and G4137 fill G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G2634 dominate G1473 it! G2532 And G756 control G3588 the G2486 fishes G3588 of the G2281 sea, G2532 and G3588 the G4071 winged creatures G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G2934 cattle, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 of the G1093 earth, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 of the G2062 reptiles G3588 of the ones G2062.1 crawling G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth!
2634 LSJ Gloss:κατακυριεύω to gain dominion over
Dodson:κατακυριεύω I exercise authority over, overpower I exercise authority over, overpower, master.
Thayer:
1) to bring under one's power, to subject one's self, to subdue, master
2) to hold in subjection, to be master of, exercise lordship over
κατακυριεύω
katakurieuō kat-ak-oo-ree-yoo'-o From G2596 and G2961; to lord against, that is, control, subjugate KJV Usage: exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.
Katakurieuō means “downward Lord”, or to control over, or master. To be an overlord in the beginning of the creation was not a bad thing until creation was overtaken by evil spiritual beings. After the flood, Noah’s sons were to dominate the earth. They were to be the overlords.
Genesis 9:1 G2532 And G2127 God blessed G3588 G2316 G3588 G* Noah, G2532 and G3588 G5207 his sons, G1473 G2532 and G2036 said G1473 to them, G837 Grow G2532 and G4129 multiply, G2532 and G4137 fill G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G2634 dominate G1473 it!
Even though the devil was now the god of the world, Noah’s sons were to teach and instruct their children in the ways of Yahweh. They were to dominate or lord over the post-diluvian creation. It was their children that would populate the earth. If they stayed under Yahweh’s guidance and followed Him, they would not be under the control and authority of the devil. Being under the control of the devil brings fear.
Fear brings torment. When people are under the devil’s lordship they are treated with intimidation and domination. David gives us an understanding of ungodly people. These are people under the devil’s lordship. The ungodly sinful people are proud and they take crafty counsels from their own imaginations. They provoke the Lord through pride. The ungodly then take mastery, or become overlords over all their enemies.
Psalms 10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why dost thou overlook us in times of need, in affliction? 2 While the ungodly one acts proudly, the poor is hotly pursued: the wicked are taken in the crafty counsels which they imagine. 3 Because the sinner praises himself for the desires of his heart; and the unjust one blesses himself. 4 The sinner has provoked the Lord: according to the abundance of his pride he will not seek after him: God is not before him. 5 His ways are profane at all times; thy judgments are removed from before him: he will gain the mastery over all his enemies. 6 For he has said in his heart, I shall not be moved, continuing without evil from generation to generation. 7 Whose mouth is full of cursing, and bitterness, and fraud: under his tongue are trouble and pain. 8 He lies in wait with rich men in secret places, in order to slay the innocent: his eyes are set against the poor. 9 He lies in wait in secret as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to ravish the poor, to ravish the poor when he draws him after him: he will bring him down in his snare. 10 He will bow down and fall when he has mastered the poor. 11 For he has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he has turned away his face so as never to look. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Psalms/index.htm
David is speaking of evil people who rise up and dominate others, even their own enemies. These people, under the lordship of the devil, stand strong in ungodliness and pass it on from generation to generation. Are there families in the world today who have been practicing evil for generations? Yes. Are there rich families that control from behind the curtain? Yes. They learned how to become overlords on the earth. They are full of cursing, bitterness, and are frauds. These generational, ungodly, overlords, slay the innocent and ravish the poor. David sounds like he is speaking of wicked overlords in our world today.
David also recognizes that if hostile foreigners, allotrios, dominate him, he could end up blemished. This is why we are to pray for our leaders and all in authority. We don’t want innocent blood on our hands.
Psalms 19:13 G2532 And G575 from G245 the aliens G5339 spare G3588 G1401 your servant! G1473 G1437 If G3361 they should not G1473 dominate me, G2634 G5119 then G299 I will be unblemished, G1510.8.1 G2532 and G2511 I shall be cleansed G575 of G266 [2sin G3173 1great].
David prays to be spared from foreign overlords. We should all pray to be spared from foreign overlords. In David’s time the aliens were mixed nations, heirs of the Nephil, as well as nations who worshipped idols. Any nation that does not worship the Almighty Eternal Father, and Jesus Christ the Messiah, are alien nations to the body of Christ. David lets us know that in the future Jesus Christ, the one who is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will rule with a rod of iron, will dominate his enemies out of Zion.
1 G2036 [3said G3588 1The G2962 2 lord] G3588 to G2962 my Lord, G1473 G2521 Sit down G1537 at G1188 my right hand G1473 G2193 until G302 whenever G5087 I should make G3588 G2190 your enemies G1473 G5286 a footstool G3588 G4228 for your feet. G1473
2 G4464 [4a rod G1411 5of power G1821 2shall send out G1473 3to you G2962 1 The lord] G1537 from out of G* Zion; G2532 and G2634 you dominate G1722 in G3319 the midst G3588 G2190 of your enemies! G1473
When Jesus asked this question to the Pharisees, the Pharisees were overlords and continually put the people in fear. They used sin consciousness as their method for control. Jesus asked them a question that they could not answer.
Matthew 22:41-46 (KJV)
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Just because someone set themselves up as an overlord does not mean that they know the Living Almighty Father. Jesus asked how David could call his own son Lord, but the Pharisees were of the opinion that the prophecies had been broken and the Messiah was not coming. They did answer that the Messiah was the son of David, but they did not answer that the Messiah was the son of the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Father.
Just before this conversation with the Pharisees, Jesus was asked by James and John’s mother if her sons could sit on either side of Jesus in his kingdom. The other disciples were angry about that. Jesus told the disciples that the rulers of the nations dominate them and the great ones exercise authority over them.
Matthew 20:25 G3588 G1161 And G* Jesus G4341 having called G1473 them, G2036 said, G1492 You know G3754 that G3588 the G758 rulers G3588 of the G1484 nations G2634 dominate G1473 them, G2532 and G3588 the G3173 great ones G2715 exercise authority over G1473 them.
2715 LSJ Gloss:κατεξουσιάζω to exercise lordship over
Dodson:κατεξουσιάζω I have power over I have (exercise) power (authority) over.
TBESG:κατεξουσιάζω to rule
G:V
κατ-εξουσιάζω
to exercise authority over: with genitive of person(s),
Refs Mat.20:25, Mrk.10:42.†
SYN: (κατακυριεύω) (see Swete, Mk., l.with)
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to exercise authority, wield power
κατεξουσιάζω
katexousiazō kat-ex-oo-see-ad'-zo From G2596 and G1850; to have (wield) full privilege over KJV Usage: exercise authority.
Katexousiazō, meaning “down control”, is only used four times, two of which are used recording Jesus’ words in Matthew and Mark. It is also translated “coercing” and “avowing”. Like being a downward lord, katakurieuō, katexousiazō is a downward authority. Jesus is pointing out that the world’s structure allows for people who are overlords and over authorities. But Jesus does not want that structure to be among them. Instead of people controlling one another, Jesus says that they should serve. This is the opposite of the devil’s authoritarian regime. This is one way we can tell if someone is truly serving the Lord Jesus, their own selves, or the devil.
Matthew 20:26 G3756 [2not G3779 3so G1161 1But] G1510.8.3 shall it be G1722 with G1473 you. G235 But G3739 who G1437 ever G2309 should want G1722 among G1473 you G3173 [2great G1096 1to become], G1510.8.3 shall be G1473 your G1249 servant.
27 G2532 And G3739 who G1437 ever G2309 should want G1722 among G1473 you G1510.1 to be G4413 first, G1510.8.3 shall be G1473 your G1401 servant.
28 G5618 As G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G3756 did not G2064 come G1247 to be served, G235 but G1247 to serve, G2532 and G1325 to give G3588 G5590 his life G1473 G3083 as a ransom G473 instead of G4183 many.
Jesus came to serve. Anyone who tries to be great should serve and lead by serving. There is nothing to be fearful over if someone is truly serving Jesus Christ. However if someone is using manipulation, intimidation, and domination, even in the church, that one is not serving the Body of Christ, but him or her self.
People are not the only ones who can overlord or take authority over others. Demons and other evil spirits also can dominate and control people. This is important to understand. Demons and evil spiritual beings do not have authority over the sons and daughters of the Eternal Living God. Demons and evil spiritual beings may try to scare and control the children of the Most High, but legally, Jesus triumphed over them. If we are aware of our rights, we are not subject to evil beings and demons and we have the right to remind them who we are and rebuke them for their attempts to control us.
Acts 19:14 G1510.7.6 And there were G1161 G5100 certain ones, G5207 [2sons G* 3of Sceva G* 4a Jew G749 5a chief priest G2033 1seven] G3588 G3778 doing this. G4160
15 G611 And responding G3588 the G4151 [2spirit G3588 G4190 1evil] G2036 said, G3588 G* Jesus G1097 I know, G2532 and G3588 G* Paul G1987 I have knowledge of; G1473 but you, G5100 who G1510.2.5 are you?
16 G2532 And G2177 [3springing G1909 4upon G1473 5them G3588 1the G444 2man], G1722 in G3739 whom G1510.7.3 was G3588 the G4151 [2spirit G3588 G4190 1evil], G2532 and G2634 having dominated G1473 them, G2480 he prevailed G2596 against G1473 them, G5620 so that G1131 naked G2532 and G5135 wounded G1628 they fled G1537 from out of G3588 G3624 that house. G1565
Why was the evil spirit able to dominate, or overtake in authority these seven sons of Sceva? Because those seven sons did not have Christ in them, and they did not have the Holy Spirit in them. They were probably not holy men, they seem to have made a living casting out demons. This may have been a spirit with greater authority in the devil’s realm. Men have authority over demons generally speaking, but the children of the Most High God have greater authority over evil spirits than regular men. This evil spirit absolutely humiliated these carnival barkers.
Evil spirits can try and put us in fear, attempting to dominate us, but we can use our authority in the name of Jesus to subdue them. If we are not under the authority of the devil then we have nothing to fear. We are not subjects under the rulers and authorities of the devil’s kingdom, we are subjects under Jesus Christ. We are not fearful of the roaring lion, we command it to shut up.
If there are abuses of power and authority in the world, we are sure there will be abuses of power and authority within the church. Jesus told us that if we want to be leaders we should be leading in serving. I might add that we should be leading in service with a pure heart, as opposed to serving for ulterior motives. Peter reminds us of this. if we do it right we receive a crown of glory.
1 Peter 5: 1 G4245 Elders, G3588 the ones G1722 among G1473 you, G3870 I exhort, G3588 I the G4850 fellow-elder G2532 and G3144 witness G3588 of the G3588 [2of the G5547 3Christ G3804 1sufferings], G3588 the one G2532 also G3588 [2of the G3195 3about to be G601 4revealed G1391 5glory G2844 1partner] --
2 G4165 tend G3588 the G1722 [3among G1473 4you G4168 1flock G3588 G2316 2of God]! G1983 overseeing, G3361 not G317 by compelling, G235 but G1596 voluntarily; G3366 nor G147 sordidly, G235 but G4290 eagerly;
3 G3366 nor G5613 as G2634 one dominating G3588 the G2819 lots, G235 but G5179 [2models G1096 1becoming] G3588 for the G4168 flock.
4 G2532 And G5319 at the manifesting G3588 of the G750 chief shepherd, G2865 you shall carry G3588 the G262 unfading G3588 G1391 [2of glory G4735 1crown].
In the church we should be teachers of Christ’s suffering, then we will be partners in glory. We take care of people. We do not force or constrain people. Even if we need volunteers for something we do not use manipulation. Instead we allow people to do what the Lord wants them to do, willingly of their own accord. We do not compel in greed, but alacrity, a cheerful and ready mind. We don’t behave like dominators or overlords over the ones chosen. Instead we are to become models for people. If we do these things correctly, we will be given an unfading crown of glory.
It may be rare for us to find our leaders in the Body of Christ behaving this way. It seems easier for our church leaders to behave like the world system instead of Jesus’ system. We want to understand what intimidation looks like. We want to understand what domination looks like. We do not what to behave this way. And if someone wants to become our overlords we want to stop them. We do no want to be put into fear because someone wants to control us. We want to overcome fear. If we recognize this and push back, we will not be controlled by the devil and his world systems. Since we looked at intimidation and domination, next week we will look at manipulation.
