scripture pic

scripture pic

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Goading & Pricking; The Capacity; Punch Back; Imprecatory Response


If you have ever heard the saying “he’s jerking your chain” you know it means that someone is lying to you to get a reaction out of you. It is goading, or teasing. We all know people who are hypersensitive to being teased and we want to address how our enemy spins us in different directions if we let him. Goading someone is not a new concept as Drakōn has been doing it for millennia. He is the original prick or goad. I bring this up because this week a man who wants to rule the world claims that Jesus Christ is fake news, and that God is dead. He also claims that humans are “hackable animals without souls”. And he further claims that he and some other leaders are “acquiring divine’ powers of “creation and destruction”. Of course he has to say these things in an attempt to get people to follow him. It is really a ridiculous thing to say as no man and no son of God has the power to create anything. This man’s god has no creative power either. But since he believes that he is so capable let’s consider the sleight of hand here. All man can do is slice and dice molecules or DNA. Rearrange what is already in existence. That is not creation. The atom has already been created. No one can use atoms to create something else while still using atoms. Therefore we could simply wait around for this dim bulb to recreate something, but who really cares? He’s jerking people’s chain. What we really should suggest is to send this moron to the moon and let him create his own universe; we’ll wait here.  


We have a remedy and recourse to use against people who are working for Drakōn and Satanas. We have the ability to stop the testing, goading, and pricking. Job was told that he could have stopped his trial any time, he simply didn’t know how. We live in a world gone mad, but we have the authority to use what we have been given. Our testing, goading and pricking do not come from the Elohim, and those who insist on ruling over us should regret that they ever tried.  


This brings up a good point for us to learn from. The Elohim, the Father, the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, do not “jerk our chain”. They instead dwell in us saving our souls. No one can understand the transformation that occurs within a child of the Most High Living God, unless they experience it themselves. Therefore to the unbeliever maybe God seems nonexistent. But the only purpose to spew ridiculous statements to the world is to keep us spinning in circles. There is a better way.


James 1:12 G3107 Blessed is G435 a man G3739 who G5278 endures G3986 test; G3754 for G1384 [2unadulterated G1096 1becoming], G2983 he shall receive G3588 the G4735 crown G3588   G2222 of life, G3739 which G1861 [3promised G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G3588 to the ones G25 loving G1473 him.

  13 G3367 [2no one G3985 3being tested G3004 1Let] say G3754 that, G575 From G2316 God G3985 I am tested! G3588   G1063 For G2316 God G551 is beyond testing G1510.2.3   G2556 by evils, G3985 [3tests G1161 1and G1473 2he himself] G3762 no one.

  14 G1538 But each G1161   G3985 is tested G5259 by G3588 his own G2398   G1939 desire, G1828 being dragged away G2532 and G1185 being entrapped.

  15 G1534 So then G3588 the G1939 desire G4815 having conceived, G5088 gives birth to G266 sin; G3588   G1161 but G266 sin G658 being perpetrated, G616 engenders G2288 death.


3985 LSJ Gloss:πειράζω to make proof

Dodson:πειράζω I try, tempt, test.

TBESG:πειράζω to test/tempt

G:V

πειράζω poët. and late prose form of πειράω, which see, 

[in LXX for נָסָה pi. ;] 

Thayer:

1) to try whether a thing can be done 

1a) to attempt, endeavour 

2) to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself 

2a) in a good sense 

2b) in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments 

2c) to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin 

2c1) to solicit to sin, to tempt 

1c1a) of the temptations of the devil 

2d) after the OT usage 

2d1) of God: to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith 

2d2) men are said to tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted 

2d3) by impious or wicked conduct to test God's justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were to give proof of his perfections.


πειράζω 

peirazō pi-rad'-zo From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline KJV Usage: assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.


3986 LSJ Gloss:πειρασμός trial, temptation

Dodson:πειρασμός trial, testing, temptation

(a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, (b) temptation, (c) calamity, affliction.

TBESG:πειρασμός temptation/testing

G:N-M

πειρασμός, -οῦ, ὁ

(< πειράζω), [in LXX for מַסָּה, עִנְיָן ;] 

Thayer:

1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving 

1a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 

4:14) 

1b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy 

1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances 

1b2) an internal temptation to sin 

1b2a) of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand 

1b3) of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness 

1b4) adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness 

1c) temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men 

1c1) rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves


πειρασμός 

peirasmos pi-ras-mos'  From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity KJV Usage: temptation, X try.


If Yahweh doesn’t test us who does? It is Drakōns job to make angels fall, and then angels are rewarded for making us fall. Likewise, fallen manfaced is rewarded by Satanas and Drakōn for making other manfaced fall. So what do they do? The try to make others fall for a reward. 


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-prick-drakons-testing-dont-look.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/07/unsuccessful-testing-trials-sport.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/01/samson-parenting-nazarite-lords-plans.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/01/sporting-with-devil-not-victims-but.html


Who was testing Jesus in the wilderness? Drakōn and Satanas. Think about this, Jesus knew that he was going to be tested so he fasted. Then He went to be tested. 


Mathew 4:1 G5119 Then G3588   G* Jesus G321 was led G1519 into G3588 the G2048 wilderness G5259 by G3588 the G4151 spirit, G3985 to be tested G5259 by G3588 the G1228 devil.

  2 G2532 And G3522 he fasted G2250 [2days G5062 1forty] G2532 and G3571 [2nights G5062 1forty]; G5305 afterwards G3983 he hungered.

  3 G2532 And G4334 having come forward G1473 to him, G3588 the one G3985 testing G2036 said, G1487 If G5207 you are son G1510.2.2   G3588   G2316 of God, G2036 speak! G2443 that G3588   G3037 these stones G1473   G740 [2bread loaves G1096 1should become].

  4 G3588   G1161 And G611 responding G2036 he said, G1125 It has been written, G3756 Not G1909 by G740 bread G3441 alone G2198 shall [2live G444 1a man], G235 but G1909 by G3956 every G4487 word G1607 coming forth G1223 by G4750 the mouth G2316 of God.


Drakōn spoke to Jesus’ hunger but also to his identity. Jesus says that not only does man live by bread but also by every rhēma that comes through the mouth of the Elohim. Why was this statement a rebuttal? Because Jesus is the Elohim, of the triune Elohim, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit  (Remember, Elohim is plural in Hebrew meaning “three or more”). Drakōn’s challenge was not only for the mortal manfaced shell that Jesus inhabited, it was a challenge as to Him being the Elohim. In the LXX-WH the statement of verse three reads, “if Son you are the Elohim” or “if you are the Son Elohim”.If” Jesus is the Elohim, the Son, Drakōn says then do a miracle by turning stones into bread. The challenge is if he is the Elohim, not if he is hungry, which his manfaced body is after fasting forty days. Drakōn tries to trick Jesus using the word “if”. Certainly he is the Son, the Elohim, then certainly he can do miracles. Instead of playing the game Drakōn lays out, Jesus doesn’t play. Instead He says that he lives by every word he utters, he is the Elohim. Therefore manfaced lives by bread and every word that Jesus utters. 


Mathew 4:5 G5119 Then G3880 [3takes G1473 4him G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G1519 unto G3588 the G39 holy G4172 city, G2532 and G2476 he stands G1473 him G1909 upon G3588 the G4419 border G3588 of the G2413 temple.

  6 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to him, G1487 If G5207 you are son G1510.2.2   G3588   G2316 of God, G906 throw G4572 yourself G2736 below! G1125 for it has been written G1063   G3754 that, G3588 To G32 his angels G1473   G1781 he shall give charge G4012 concerning G1473 you; G2532 and G1909 by G5495 hands G142 they shall lift G1473 you, G3379 lest at any time G4350 you should stumble G4314 [2against G3037 3a stone G3588   G4228 1your foot]. G1473  

  7 G5346 [2said G1473 3to him G3588   G* 1Jesus], G3825 Again G1125 it has been written, G3756 You shall not put to test G1598   G2962 the Lord G3588   G2316 your God. G1473  


Drakōn takes Jesus to the extremity of the sacred. Someone assumed and translated this as temple because of the preceding word city, polis, but the word here is hieros. Some translations use the word hieron, meaning “sacred place”. The word for temple is naos, which is the “actual building or a shrine”. Considering how accurate Matthew is in his account of Jesus, we might be talking about a different sacred extremity than the temple in Jerusalem which was not a particularly holy place at all. Taking Jesus to the holy city, then taking him to the extremity of the sacred could be talking about a place above Jerusalem. There are principalities in control over the lower heavens and angels assigned to nations. Taking Jesus to the extremity of the sacred is different than taking him to the temple.  


Drakōn again says that “if you are the Son Elohim” throw yourself down because it is written that the angels will help you, Psalms 91. Drakōn knows what is written. Instead of addressing what has been written in Psalms, Jesus says Deuteronomy 6:16 has also been written, “don’t tempt Yahweh Elohim”. Who is Yahweh Elohim? Jesus. What Jesus is saying is don’t tempt me. 


We can see how Drakōn is distorting the written word of the Elohim, attempting to apply the angels help to intentionally attempting suicide, expecting the angels to stop Jesus from committing suicide. Also the testing or tempting of Yahweh Elohim is written for the Israelites. However it is also known that on the mount of the congregation Yahweh questioned  Drakōn rather than Drakōn challenging Yahweh Elohim. Just because Jesus is in a manfaced body does not mean that Jesus is not Yahweh Elohim. Jesus is attesting to who he is. 


Mathew 4:8 G3825 Again G3880 [3takes G1473 4him G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G1519 unto G3735 [3mountain G5308 2high G3029 1an exceedingly], G2532 and G1166 shows G1473 to him G3956 all G3588 the G932 kingdoms G3588 of the G2889 world, G2532 and G3588   G1391 their glory. G1473  

  9 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to him, G3778 All these G3956   G1473 I will give to you, G1325   G1437 if G4098 falling down G4352 you should do obeisance G1473 to me.

  10 G5119 Then G3004 [2says G1473 3to him G3588   G* 1Jesus], G5217 Go G3694 behind G1473 me G* Satan! G1125 For it is written, G1063   G2962 [2 the Lord G3588   G2316 3your God G1473   G4352 1You shall do obeisance to], G2532 and G1473 to him G3441 alone G3000 you shall serve.

  11 G5119 Then G863 [3left G1473 4him G3588 1the G1228 2devil]; G2532 and G2400 behold, G32 angels G4334 came forward G2532 and G1247 served G1473 to him.


Drakōn takes Jesus up a mountain and shows him the kingdoms of the world. But now Drakōn and Satanas are both there. Why? Satanas is the god of this world, the prince of this world, and the prince of the power of the air. Drakōn cannot give Jesus the kingdoms, only Satanas can. Jesus responds by telling Satanas to get behind him because Deuteronomy 6:13 says that Satanas should fear Yahweh Elohim, serve Yahweh Elohim, and swear by Yahweh Elohim’s name, Jesus. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Yahweh Jesus Messiah. This includes Drakōn and Satanas. 


Once again the test was to give Jesus something he already had, the world. Jesus will be coronated King of kings and Lord of lords. It is already his because he created it all. Satanas is ruler for a short time, Jesus is ruler for eternity. Satanas will worship Jesus. Drakōn and Satanas left. The angels ministered to Jesus as his manfaced body had not eaten for forty days. Just to point out, Jesus was not his body. Neither are we our body. We are spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. Our spirit and soul have authority over our body. One of Drakōn and Satanas’ tricks is to make humans think that they are their body and that they must feed their body all the lusts it desires. This is not true.


Jesus endured these three tests declaring who he is to Drakōn and Satanas. Once they knew for sure they had to devise a way to eliminate him. They could not eliminate him themselves, they had to influence manfaced to kill him and that is what they did. Jesus just announced who he is, Yahweh Elohim, the Son, and neither Drakōn and Satanas could kill him themselves. Neither threw Jesus off a building or mountain. Neither crushed his weak manfaced body. Neither sent him to a high tower as prisoner, or locked him in a castle with Drakōn the fire-breather as guard.   


People claim to worship Satanas or Drakōn but do they know who they really are, and the the limits that they both have? No. All of the things people think about Satanas and Drakōn are incorrect, such as Satanas’ name or the type of being he is. Most people are very confused as to thinking Satanas has some power or can take over the creation from Yahweh Elohim. He cannot. He is not a cherub he is an incorporeal. He has no power other than manipulation, intimidation, or domination. He is not a goat headed man. He is not human looking at all. He is air, aether, fire, or light. Drakōn is a dragon, he is a one of a kind being according to Yahweh, and a chief of all creation. Yet Drakōn must worship Jesus as well. 


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/01/fallen-beings-drakon-satanas-partners.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/01/fallen-beings-drakon-satanas-partners.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2020/05/gold-diffused-or-specular-incorporeal.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/10/satan-venus-hesperus-evening-star.html


As with Job the Elohim will make a way for us through the testing.


1 Corinthians 10:13 G3986 A test G1473 [3you G3756 1has not G2983 2taken] G1508 except G442 what belongs to a human; G4103 [3is trustworthy G1161 1but G3588   G2316 2God], G3739 who G3756 will not G1439 allow G1473 you G3985 to be tested G5228 above G3739 what G1410 you are able; G235 but G4160 will make G4862 with G3588 the G3986 test G2532 also G3588 the G1545 way out, G3588   G1410 [2to be able G1473 1for you] G5297 to endure.


Paul explains that the tests are tests that are human, anthrōpinos, meaning they are tests for humans, not angels, not cherubim, or any other spiritual son of God. In other words, these tests are human tests. We are not tested over or beyond dunamai, our ability, or capability. Manufactured together with the test there is an exit. The exit will be a dunamai, an ability or capability to hupopherō bear-under or endure. Think of the test as a strength building exercise. These tests are for humans. These tests are not beyond our capability. These tests have an exit. We have the capability to bear under the pressure. Job was told of an exit that he had and that is when the pressure broke. 


Jesus tells the church at Ephesus that Drakōn will throw some of them in jail. Is Drakōn opening the cell door? No. Drakōn is persuading civic leaders to throw people in the Ephesus church in jail. This is how he works, through people. The test is jail, the exit could be singing which opens the door. Or worshipping and an angel breaks you out. Or it could be endure the test in prison with your capability.


Revelation 2:10 G3367 Do not G5399 fear G3739 the things G3195 you are about G3958 to suffer! G2400 Behold G1211 indeed, G3195 [3is about G906 4to throw G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G1537 some of G1473 you G1519 in G5438 prison, G2443 that G3985 you should be tested. G2532 And G2192 you shall have G2347 affliction G2250 [2days G1176 1ten]. G1096 Be G4103 trustworthy G891 unto G2288 death! G2532 and G1325 I will give G1473 to you G3588 the G4735 crown G3588   G2222 of life.


Become faithful until death. This is a hard word. No matter how badly Drakōn and Satanas test us, we should be faithful until death. But when we learn to endure and not melt down over every prick or goad then we gain something more valuable, we gain the harpazo. Notice what was happening in the Philadelphian church. 


Revelation 3:9 G2400 Behold, G1325 I give G1537 from out of G3588 the G4864 synagogue G3588   G4567 of Satan G3588 of the ones G3004 saying G1438 themselves G* to be Jews, G1510.1   G2532 and G3756 are not, G1510.2.6   G235 but G5574 lie. G2400 Behold, G4160 I will make G1473 them G2443 that G2240 they shall come G2532 and G4352 do obeisance G1799 before G3588 the G4228 feet G1473 of you, G2532 and G1097 they should know G3754 that G25 I love G1473 you;


The people in this church obeyed Jesus’ words and confessed his name. They were being persecuted by people from the synagogue of Satanas. Satanas has assemblies and congregations? Yes. What do they do? Persecute churches. These particular people are of the church of Satanas but were calling themselves Jews. They were not real Jews. They could have been Pharisaical Jews, or Philistine Jews. They may not have been either, just simply fakers or liars. One day these people  from the church of Satanas will worship at the feet of the people they persecuted. We know that there is a similar incident recorded for us regarding the end of the Nephilim. The people who were persecuted lead these heirs of fallen angels to their place of torment as Joel explains. 


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2018/11/joel-3-end-of-nephilim-one-blood.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-day-of-lord-eradication-of-sons-of.html


What happens when people can endure to the end? They are kept from the hour of testing coming on the entire world. 


Revelation 3:10 G3754 for G5083 you kept G3588 the G3056 word G3588  G5281 of my endurance, G1473   G2504 and I G1473 will keep you G5083   G1537 from G3588 the G5610 hour G3588 of the G3986 test, G3588 of the one G3195 about G2064 to come G1909 upon G3588 the G3611 [2world G3650 1entire], G3985 to test G3588 the ones G2730 dwelling G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth.


What is this hour of testing? It is the tribulation. It is a time that will test every person on the earth after the saints have been called up. The test is going to test everyone. We know what happens during that time, there are scroll judgments, trumpet judgments, and bowl judgments. It is the time of the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of the Father. 


Drakōn and Satanas are the ones testing us now, not the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Yet in the tribulation it will be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit  testing the world which will be under the exclusive rulership of Drakōn and Satanas. 


We can endure the testing, the pricking, and the goading, because when we overcome we are headed for redemption before the tribulation. 


2 Peter 2: 9 G1492 but the Lord knows G2962   G2152 [2 the pious G1537 3from G3986 4tests G4506 1to rescue], G94 and the unrighteous G1161   G1519 [2for G2250 3a day G2920 4of judgment G2849 5being punished G5083 1to keep];


How did Yahweh rescue Noah, Lot, and Daniel? How did Yahweh rescue David? How did Yahweh rescue Peter? There is a day of judgment coming, collectively but there are also days of judgment now where the righteous  God-fearing children of Yahweh are rescued now. If we think about some of these men, Noah was opposing genetic mutations and hybrids. Lot was opposing rape and human trafficking. David was opposing hybrid domination and hybrid world rulership. Daniel was opposing political enemies. Peter was opposing anti-Christs. These are not unlike our oppositions today.


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2022/04/lewdness-righteous-are-free-breaking-up.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/08/unjust-judgments-not-destroying-just.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/09/why-noah-job-and-daniel-testing-whole.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/08/noahs-faith-evil-cain-antediluvian.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/08/daniels-faith-our-part-gods-part-cyrus.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/08/jobs-faith-imprecation-power-right-hand.html


We have a way out of the tests and trials from Drakōn and Satanas. Yahweh explained it to Job. Besides just enduring, there is a weapon of our warfare, the power or ability to imprecate.  


Job 40:14 (LXX-WH) G3670 V-FAI-1S ομολογησω G685 PRT αρα G3754 CONJ οτι G1410 V-PMI-3S δυναται G3588 T-NSF η G1188 A-APN δεξια G4771 P-GS σου G4982 V-AAN σωσαι 

    

“Acknowledge imprecation that powerful the right hand your rescue”


Written this way, the answer to how Job is to save himself is written in the verse. Job is to save himself by imprecation. There is power dunamai in the right hand used with imprecations. Hands distinguish humans from all other beings on earth. The devil/dragon/Dracōn, does not have hands. What can we learn about hands? 


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/08/jobs-faith-imprecation-power-right-hand.html


Just as Paul told us and as Yahweh is telling Job, we have dunamai. Dunamai for what? Imprecations. What is inherent in us, our ability, our capability, and our power, is our own rescue or exit. 


We have the power of imprecations. We can turn around a prolonged attack. But what do we do when we hear something stupid from an old guy who has a messiah complex? Two things are appropriate here. One is to pray for their salvation, coming to Jesus and confessing him as Lord. The second is to use the power of the curse, and delivering that one to Satanas for the destruction of the flesh. Imagine if Christians actually did what Job was told to do; as soon as the old guy who wants to pretend to create what Jesus already created opens his mouth then Christians should stand together to stop the lies and misdirections; and then we would see these people thwarted until we leave the earth. 


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/03/imprecations-birkat-ha-minim-prophecies.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/04/dark-and-light-cursing-belial-essene.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/11/curses-calling-down-doom-to-curse-or.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/11/psalms-109-intercession-for-warriors.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/11/destruction-of-flesh-judicial-hearing.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/09/imprecations-and-curses-shadow-curse.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-ignorant-curse-goodly-not-godly.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/12/psalms-5-psalms-143-immediate-judgment.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/10/katara-kingly-priests-bringing-lawsuit.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/03/pauls-imprecation-self-inflicted-curses.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-prick-drakons-testing-dont-look.html


When was the last time the Body of Christ was told that they have a recourse to testing, pricking, and goading? Are there any pastors who taught their congregations the power of what David did regularly? Why do pastors hide from the power of the curse? David wrote many imprecatory Psalms for us to learn from. Paul cursed of a worm tongued politician attempting to keep the proconsul from salvation. Why can’t we do the same? We can. Notice what Solomon says.


Ecclesiastes 8:11 G3754 Because G3756 there is no G1510.2.3   G1096 existing G496.4 objection G575 for G3588 the ones G4160 doing G3588   G4190 evil G5036 quickly, G1223 therefore G3778 by this G4135 [4have full assurance G2588 1 the heart G5207 2of the sons G3588   G444 3of man] G1722 in G1473 themselves G3588   G4160 to do G3588   G4190 evil.


Ecclesiastes 8:11 (ISV)  Whenever a sentence for a crime is not carried out swiftly, the human mind becomes determined to commit evil.


Ecclesiastes 8:11 (DRB)  For because sentence is not speedily pronounced against the evil, the children of men commit evils without any fear.


Every time an enemy of Yahweh raises his ugly head, we can use our inherent dunamai against that attack. Too many times we ignore the onslaught of evil, focus on ourselves or our families, and wait it out. The inherent power that we have is for action. We usually do not find ourselves in such a position as Job, but maybe like Lot we live in Sodom. Or maybe like Daniel, evil politicians want to kill us. Whatever the case may be, we are allowed to use our inherent dunamai. If we do nothing, the test will eventually stop. If we enter the trial, it may end sooner. It is completely up to us. We, like Job, can save ourselves. Study Job’s faith and realize that Moses wrote this for our learning. 


The idea here is punching back. There are many people in the church who do not know how to punch back. It can be a cultural thing, people living peacefully just let things go. But in bigger cities, like New York, the culture is to punch back. If someone steals your lunch money you punch back. If someone hits you, you punch back harder. This is a culture that people live in all the time in some places. It looks distasteful to the small town onlookers, but it is something that we should learn from. If evil knocks at your door, do not let it in. Attack it. Chase it down the street with a blow torch. 


What can we learn from Paul?


Acts 13:9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, looked steadily at [Elymas] 

10 And said, You master in every form of deception and recklessness, unscrupulousness, and wickedness, you son of the devil, you enemy of everything that is upright and good, will you never stop perverting and making crooked the straight paths of the Lord and plotting against His saving purposes? [Hos. 14:9.]

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, [so blind that you will be] unable to see the sun for a time. Instantly there fell upon him a mist and a darkness, and he groped about seeking persons who would lead him by the hand. 


 The Amplified Bible. (1987). (Ac 13:9–11). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.


Evil always plots against the saving purposes of Jesus Messiah. Everything we have ever needed we have already been given. The question is will we rise up and use it, or not? Let’s end remembering David’s words. 


Psa 35:1 (Brenton) A Psalm of David. Judge thou, O Lord, them that injure me, fight against them that fight against me.

Psa 35:2  Take hold of shield and buckler, and arise for my help.

Psa 35:3  Bring forth a sword, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I am thy salvation.

Psa 35:4  Let them that seek my soul be ashamed and confounded: let them that devise evils against me be turned back and put to shame.

Psa 35:5  Let them be as dust before the wind, and an angel of the Lord afflicting them.

Psa 35:6  Let their way be dark and slippery, and an angel of the Lord persecuting them.

Psa 35:7  For without cause they have hid for me their destructive snare: without a cause they have reproached my soul.

Psa 35:8  Let a snare which they know not come upon them; and the gin which they hid take them; and let them fall into the very same snare.

Psa 35:9  But my soul shall exult in the Lord: it shall delight in his salvation.