"If I were the devil" (beliefs, scriptures, mystic)
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Thanks. Well, I don't believe in a Satan or devil that exists as an entity that is separate from man. Without man, there is no Satan. We have two natures. One is opposed to the other. All that is not Christ is anti-Christ. Jesus was speaking to that part within Peter that was opposed to the things of God. The same goes for every person on the planet. Our two opposing natures are Universal to mankind. We inherited the carnal nature from our parents and their parents before them, and on and on and on it goes throughout our ancestry. But since Jesus came into the world and Christ died and was raised again, God has planted the good seed of Christ in every man (the whole field). There is a battle within every human being until such time as we are released from our mortal bodies. The only devil you will ever encounter will be inside yourself or inside of your brothers and sisters.
Amen, Heartsong!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Julian658
My point is that the temptation is internal and not external, Temptation is not about the devil made me do bad things. Temptation is about being intrinsically weak and away from God.
The devil lives inside of us 24/7 and if we are not weak he does nothing. The devil is the evil within us which is a much more powerful point than ascribing evil to an external force.
Amen, Julian!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vizio
I recognize that temptation is internal. I agree. There are, of course, outside factors that affect us...but it's an internal struggle.
The Bible talks about an actual being named Satan. He is real. He was an angel of God--the archangel Lucifer.
Do you believe that Satan is an actual being? Or do you, as you seem to be suggesting, believe that he's just an allegory that describes our internal struggle?
You believe in ancient fables derived from the ignorance of our savage ancestors, Vizio. We were warned that in the latter days people would follow fables and false teachings. Be careful, Vizio. We all have an internal Serpent that is the source of ALL our inner urges and desires. That is the Serpent that deceived Eve and is the one that deceives each of us by its indiscriminate generation of drives in search of pleasure and in avoidance of pain.
"If I were the devil..." I would take a deep look inside at myself and contemplate on why I'd get pleasure and feel content by afflicting pain and suffering to mankind, why do I do what I do, why do I perpetuate the evil stereotype and perhaps try to find a way to break the devilish mold. It must be terrible being the devil and be hated by most for centuries, but then perhaps hatred from others is precisely what feed the devil's appetite and longevity, and so the vicious circle continues for eternity. I don't know, just a philosophical way of looking at it....
Satan is merely that which is adversarial, "friend or foe."
A derivative
from within the minds of men or that of their nature.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmiej
What is your authority for this?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerwade
Reading Scripture, under the light of truth.
Many read scriptures and understand these truths:
Satan is more than just a personification of evil
2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
1 John 5:19, 'We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one."
John 12:31, "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out."
The evil within us or an actual person who practices deception?
2 Corinthians 11:4, "And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light."
The evil within us or an actual person who practices deception?
2 Corinthians 11:4, "And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light."
This refers to the widespread tendency for us to excuse or rationalize our behaviors and put them in the best light . . . whether or not they deserve it. It reminds me of the antics of Alibi Ike.
My point is that the temptation is internal and not external, Temptation is not about the devil made me do bad things. Temptation is about being intrinsically weak and away from God.
The devil lives inside of us 24/7 and if we are not weak he does nothing. The devil is the evil within us which is a much more powerful point than ascribing evil to an external force.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hd4me
Many read scriptures and understand these truths:
Satan is more than just a personification of evil
2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
1 John 5:19, 'We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one."
John 12:31, "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out."
The evil within us or an actual person who practices deception?
2 Corinthians 11:4, "And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light."
I look at it this way; if Satan is not real then angels are not real. If angels are not real then the angel of God also referred to as the angel of the LORD is not real. If the angel of God is not real then God is a liar for God said, "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Exodus 23:20
I look at it this way; if Satan is not real then angels are not real. If angels are not real then the angel of God also referred to as the angel of the LORD is not real. If the angel of God is not real then God is a liar for God said, "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Exodus 23:20
A series of non sequiturs from a verse produced by the ancient ignorance and superstition of the OT writers.
Originally Posted by hd4me
The evil within us or an actual person who practices deception?
2 Corinthians 11:4, "And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light."
Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticPhD
This refers to the widespread tendency for us to excuse or rationalize our behaviors and put them in the best light . . . whether or not they deserve it. It reminds me of the antics of Alibi Ike.
Or instead of applying our own interpretation we can just let Scripture interpret Scripture and get the sense of whether Satan is real.
I look at it this way; if Satan is not real then angels are not real. If angels are not real then the angel of God also referred to as the angel of the LORD is not real. If the angel of God is not real then God is a liar for God said, "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Exodus 23:20
Fear!!!!!!!!!
I see this in the ALL or NOTHING folks. They must believe everything 100% because if one part is allegoric then there is the chance the entire bible is an allegoric tale. And this is something an ALL or NOTHING Christian that expects the REWARD of salvation cannot face.
That is why sometimes the ALL or NOTHING folks become atheists. They must verify everything with 100% certainty.
Your point is well taken but there is another side to Christianity and that is to be a Christian for the sake of being a Christian with NO EXPECTATIONS. Can a person that has doubts be a Christian? What is a Christian?
As I said if we make Satan allegoric the message of Christianity remains unchanged. The only issue is that it causes people to think that other things may also be allegoric. And that is terrifying!
I look at it this way; if Satan is not real then angels are not real. If angels are not real then the angel of God also referred to as the angel of the LORD is not real. If the angel of God is not real then God is a liar for God said, "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Exodus 23:20
You got it.
Many believe modern fables thinking they are really wiser than man in the past. What arrogance and foolishness.
Modern Fable: Satan is not real he is you and your own inward desires, etc.
Just what Satan wants and they ... cooperate with him.
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So true. Thanks
