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Ok, here's a question that I thought of while reading through the "why does God battle Satan" thread. My husband has told me that Satan has to ask God's permission before he can tempt one of God's children. (That may not be exactly how he put it.) I am so very biblically illiterate! So, all you Bible scholars out there, help me out with this one. I also remember shortly after he had told me this, we were at "The Rock and the Rabbi" and I remember Jesus saying to Peter that Satan had "asked his permission" to sift him like wheat. I remember at the time connecting the two thoughts, but I guess I never thought about it again until now.
Also, if Satan does in fact require God's permission before he can do evil, why would God ever grant him permission?
Last edited by weatherologist; 06-06-2007 at 04:10 PM..
Reason: typo
I may be wrong, but I really don't think that satan has to get permission from God to tempt us. God gives US free will. We have to make our own right choices when it comes to temptation. If he did have to get permission, as stated, it wouldn't make sense that God would grant it and take the chance of losing any of His people. I think satan flourishes FREELY about us here on earth. It is up to US to look UP to God and stay away from looking straight ahead at what satan wants us to see Just a thought
I don't know about expressly asking permission, as in, "God, may I...?" But I do know that God created everything, according to the literature, and "everything" must include Satan. And if God created Satan and is capable of doing literally anything He wishes, then there is no way Satan could possibly do anything unless God allowed him to. If God wanted to, He could take Satan out of the earth right now and consign him to hell, where he couldn't touch any of us. I mean this is God we're talking about.
Hmmm... interesting question. In the book of Job, it appears that God allowed Satan to do certain things only within certain parameters. But we do have scriptures in the new testament where St. Paul is writing and he tells us to be watchful because our enemy walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Perhaps he already has "permission" or authority to do this?
Hmmm... interesting question. In the book of Job, it appears that God allowed Satan to do certain things only with certain parameters. But we do have scriptures in the new testament where St. Paul is writing and he tells us to be watchful because our enemy walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Perhaps he already has "permission" or authority to do this?
I would think that, according to that scripture and others, he (Satan) does.
Hmmm... interesting question. In the book of Job, it appears that God allowed Satan to do certain things only within certain parameters. But we do have scriptures in the new testament where St. Paul is writing and he tells us to be watchful because our enemy walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Perhaps he already has "permission" or authority to do this?
My thoughts as well. Yes, God may ALLOW satan to do things, but being allowed and having permission are 2 different things!
I may "allow" one of my kids to go and do something stupid, just so they learn a lesson...however, if they would have asked me, there would be NO WAY I would have given them permission...Know what I mean?!
Job 1:12 God gave the devil permission to attack Job. Christians can overcome attacks from the devil through God's power. God put limitations on what satan can do. Knowing what we do about satan should cause us remain close to the one who is greater, God.
That is an interesting question and if I were a believer I would think that satan does not have to have God's permission to do certain things because if that were the case then satan would just be a puppet in God's hands and all of the ideas about the battle between good and evil or God and satan would just be an illusion. The battle for the souls of human beings would also be a sham if this were the case because the deck would be stacked so to speak because God would be pulling the strings and guiding events in whatever direction he wanted to.
That is an interesting question and if I were a believer I would think that satan does not have to have God's permission to do certain things because if that were the case then satan would just be a puppet in God's hands and all of the ideas about the battle between good and evil or God and satan would just be an illusion. The battle for the souls of human beings would also be a sham if this were the case because the deck would be stacked so to speak because God would be pulling the strings and guiding events in whatever direction he wanted to.
I look at it more like in general that Satan has authority over certain things. Like the scripture says he is the prince and power of the air. Therefore, I kinda see it like God could stop Satan at any time but for whatever reason, God has elected not to. To take His hands off, so to speak. And yet at the same time, I think there are boundaries which God will not let Satan cross. I may not be making any sense to anyone but me. I badly need a nap.
Satan must fill out a "Permission to Tempt" form, have it notarized, and then mail (by registered mail) to the Office Of Holy Permission. It usually takes about two weeks before Satan gets a reply. Bureacracy is everywhere! If Satan's request is denied he can file an appeal within 3 days. If his request is approved he has a time limit of 6 months to do his tempting work. The Office Of Holy Permission is very strict, any tempting work done after the authorization has expired may jeopardize Satan's license to Tempt. Even for small violations Satan must attend mandatory classes on how to tempt correctly. Then he must take the Basic Tempting Test (multiple choice) and get a score of at least 70% to pass. Three violations in one year will certainly be cause to revoke his license to Tempt for 6 months.
I know, I used to work as a clerk at the Office of Holy Permission. I am not allowed to reveal the location of this office.
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Just a thought 
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