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Princes: In a general sense, a sovereign; the chief and independent ruler of a nation or state. Hence, a chief in general; as a prince of the celestial host. A sovereign in a certain territory; one who has the government of a particular state or territory but holds of a superior to whom he owes certain services; as the princes of the German states. dignity; In Scripture, this name prince is given to God, Daniel 8:11; to Christ, who is called the prince of peace, Isaiah 9:6, and to the chief of the priests, the prince of the sanctuary, Isaiah 43:28; to the Roman emperor, Daniel 9:25; to Satan, who is called the prince of this world, John 12:31., and prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2.
Greek: Archon [ar-khone] = ruler [22], prince [11], chief [2], magistrate [1], chief ruler [1]. present participle of (archo); a first (in rank or power): - chief (ruler), magistrate, prince, ruler. Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. Usage Notes: the present participle of the verb archō, "to rule;" denotes "a ruler, a prince (d) of members of the Sanhedrin, Luke 14:1, RV, "r" (AV, "chief"); Luke 23:13, 35, "r;" so Luke 24:20; John 3:1; John 7:26, 48; John 12:42, RV, "r" (AV, "chief r."); "r" in Acts 3:17; Acts 4:5, 8; Acts 13:27; Acts 14:5 (f) of the Devil, as "prince" of this world, John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; of the power of the air, Eph. 2:2, "the air" being that sphere in which the inhabitants of the world live and which, through the rebellious and godless condition of humanity, constitutes the seat of his authority; (g) of Beelzebub, the "prince" of the demons, Matt. 9:24; Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words.
There are several ways of looking at this word as we can see, but the idea in this passage of scripture is more the idea of the devil and his influence in this life both in the physical and the mental areas. Yes, if you are a believer, the devil has no position or place in your life as you are hidden away with Christ and set with Him at the right hand of the Father. Ephesians 2:6 (AMP) And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
This is a very enviable place to find yourself, but it is of no value to us if we do not believe what the Spirit is saying to us. He has made us joint heirs with Him and our position is one of friend and brother and He wants us to know all things and what He is doing, all the time. John 15:15 (AMP) I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]. This is a great mystery hidden in Christ and it is an enviable position to hold as it was the will of the Father to place us there.
We are not floating around in the air, seeking someone to devour for the devil has found himself in a very, very dry place and it is a place of torment, so he harasses us to be like him and if we will very simply cast down his ugly thoughts and ideas and make ourselves obedient to the promises of God, the devil will have no place in us. 2 Corinthians 10:5-7 (KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
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