Originally posted by Obsidian
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Are Christians Afraid To Talk About the Devil?
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Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostI'm not afraid to talk about the devil - I just don't find many opportunities where it's necessary. I'd much rather talk about Jesus.Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
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I think sometimes the devil gets too much credit --- some of the sin we do is because we WANT to do it, not because "the devil made me do it". I like to focus on the fact that Christ has set us free from the POWER of sin, and we can choose NOT to sin, for we are not slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostI think sometimes the devil gets too much credit --- some of the sin we do is because we WANT to do it, not because "the devil made me do it". I like to focus on the fact that Christ has set us free from the POWER of sin, and we can choose NOT to sin, for we are not slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness.
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostI'm not afraid to talk about the devil - I just don't find many opportunities where it's necessary. I'd much rather talk about Jesus.
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Originally posted by Adrift View PostBut didn't Jesus interact with devils and Satan himself?
I can't imagine talking about Jesus without talking about the temptation in the desert, or how he saw Satan fall like a flash of lightning from heaven, or how through his death He destroyed "the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb 2:14). I don't think its necessary to discuss Satan all the time, and in fact, I think there are some churches that do nothing but talk about Satan (especially as part of some hellfire and brimstone message) but in certain circles, even when Christians talk to other Christians, a lot times there seems to be a certain understanding that "we don't talk about that".
Have you noticed that at all? Its okay if you haven't. Like I said, I think it largely depends on the circles you find yourself in.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostI think sometimes the devil gets too much credit --- some of the sin we do is because we WANT to do it, not because "the devil made me do it". I like to focus on the fact that Christ has set us free from the POWER of sin, and we can choose NOT to sin, for we are not slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
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Originally posted by Adrift View PostBut we're also told,
Is there not maybe a middle way between giving the devil too much credit and not giving him enough?
It's a good subject, Adrift, and I always enjoy interacting with you.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostYes, we are to dress for combat!
OK, this may seem a bit silly, but I don't have diplomatic relations with Satan. Jesus fights my battles for me, and all I need to do is dress for battle and report for duty. In contending with the devil.... well, let Jude say it...
It's a good subject, Adrift, and I always enjoy interacting with you.
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Originally posted by Adrift View PostWe dress for battle, but we also carry a sword
When I was in the military I didn't put on armor so that I could sit behind a wall and let someone else do my fighting. Ephesians says that this is "our struggle" not just Jesus' struggle.
I think we certainly need to be prepared for battle, but not everything we do is "battle". Jesus said they'll know we are His disciples by our love, not our warfare.
Maybe "a season for everything".
You too CP!The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostAnd shield!
Well, yeah, but we could play Bible battle all day:
I think we certainly need to be prepared for battle, but not everything we do is "battle". Jesus said they'll know we are His disciples by our love, not our warfare.
Maybe "a season for everything".
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Originally posted by Adrift View PostI wonder if the Old Testament saints were equipped in the same those in Christ are thanks to the Holy Spirit. Maybe the Old Testament prophets who had the spirit for a time.
Joshua, son of Nun, meet Y'shua, Son of God!
That's why I believe maybe there's a middle way.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Paprika View PostI am interested if you see any correlation between the attitude towards discussion about Satan and his effects and the attitude towards discussion about the Spirit and its effects.
I'm wondering if their is a correlation between discussing Satan and discussing sin and its impact on the world."For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostOr COURAGE! Like when Joshua faced off "the man with the sword" and demanded to know if he was friend or foe, and found himself face to face with "the Captain of the Hosts of the Army of the Lord".
Joshua, son of Nun, meet Y'shua, Son of God!
But you're allowing me to take your thread off topic. Perhaps we should stop chasing this rabbit and go back to the bush out from under which he ran!
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Originally posted by Adrift View PostI think we're still close to the topic. Maybe this rabbit trail puts a light on another reason why Satan is rarely discussed among Christians. Maybe the church spent so much time talking about him, especially in hellfire and brimstone type teachings, that people were turned off by it, and the church swung in the opposite direction.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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