Under Whose Influence Are You? — The Holy Spirit or Strange Powers Every human life operates under an influence. No one lives independently. But whose influence controls your decisions, actions, and direction. Influence determines: ** What you desire ** How you react ** Where you go ** What you become In the spiritual realm, there are only two dominant influences: -- The Holy Spirit -- Strange powers (demonic forces, ancestral spirits, occult manipulation, fleshly impulses) Neutrality does not exist. 1. THE MEANING OF SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE Influence is the power that guides, controls, or directs behavior without force. Holy Spirit influence leads through conviction, truth, and righteousness. Strange powers manipulate through fear, pressure, deception, and appetite. 📖 1 Corinthians 12:2 shows that before Christ, people were “carried away”—not led intelligently, but driven spiritually. 2. THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is God’s authorized influence on earth. What the Holy Spirit Does: ** Leads (Romans 8:14) ** Teaches (John 14:26) ** Convicts (John 16:8) ** Empowers (Acts 1:8) ** Produces godly fruit (Galatians 5:22–23) Evidence of Holy Spirit Influence: -- Hunger for holiness -- Hatred for sin -- Love for God’s Word -- Sensitivity to conviction -- Peace even in pressure 📖 Galatians 5:16 — Walking in the Spirit gives victory over the flesh. 3. THE INFLUENCE OF STRANGE POWERS Strange powers are unauthorized spiritual forces seeking control over human lives. They include: ** Occult powers ** Ancestral spirits ** Familiar spirits ** Fleshly desires energized by darkness ** False prophetic and mystical influences 📖 Isaiah 8:19 condemns seeking guidance from spirits instead of God. How Strange Powers Operate: -- Through fear and intimidation -- Through impatience and shortcuts -- Through ungodly covenants -- Through unsubmitted desires 📖 John 10:10 — The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. 4. SIGNS YOU MAY BE UNDER STRANGE INFLUENCE -- Prayerlessness without conviction -- Comfort with sin -- Disobedience without guilt -- Attraction to secret powers -- Restlessness with God’s Word -- Rebellion against spiritual authority 📖 Romans 8:6 — “To be carnally minded is death.” 5. YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO INFLUENCES 📖 Matthew 6:24 — “No man can serve two masters.” Attempting to mix: *** Holy Spirit and occult help *** Prayer and divination *** Church life and secret sins *** produces confusion and spiritual defeat. 📖 2 Corinthians 6:14–17 — “What fellowship hath light with darkness?” 6. HOW TO COME UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -- Repent sincerely (Acts 3:19) -- Renounce strange powers and covenants (Ephesians 5:11) --Yield daily to the Spirit (Romans 12:1) -- Feed on the Word (Colossians 3:16) -- Pray consistently (Jude 1:20) 📖 Ephesians 5:18 — “Be filled with the Spirit.” CONCLUSION Your destiny responds to your influence. Your influence determines your direction. Your direction determines your destination. You cannot be under the Holy Spirit’s influence and still be controlled by strange powers. 📖 Joshua 24:15 — “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” ALTAR CALL “Holy Spirit, take full control of my life. I renounce every strange influence. I submit my mind, will, and destiny to You alone. Lead me, fill me, and keep me in Jesus’ name.” Pastor Abiodun Kadri #HolySpiritInfluence #SpiritualAuthority #ChooseYourInfluence #LedByTheSpirit #NoStrangePower #LightOverDarkness #SpiritualDiscernment #KingdomLiving #WalkInTheSpirit