Originally posted by Cow Poke
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Are Christians Afraid To Talk About the Devil?
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Originally posted by Adrift View PostAbsolutely! Just so you know, I didn't create this thread to argue that people need to be afraid of the Devil, but was simply curious if people are afraid to talk about the Devil.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 PostThat's entirely possible -- but it also made me think (that's always dangerous).... I would rather people come to Jesus because of who He is, than run from the Devil because of fear or for "fire insurance"."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 Thoughtful Monk View PostI agree that it is better to come from a love of Jesus than fear of the Devil. On the other hand, I've heard testimonies from both starting points and in the end, both are saved.
But I can't help but think "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me".....The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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I wonder what Christians think about 2 Thess 2:9-12 in relation to the OP. I've noticed some saying that Satan gets too much credit for the problems in the world, but that passage about those that are deluded by Satan seems pretty broad and wide-sweeping. It also makes you wonder, if we assume he's limited in power, how he's capable of such a broad and wide-sweeping reach on humanity.
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Originally posted by seanD View PostI wonder what Christians think about 2 Thess 2:9-12 in relation to the OP.
I've noticed some saying that Satan gets too much credit for the problems in the world, but that passage about those that are deluded by Satan seems pretty broad and wide-sweeping. It also makes you wonder, if we assume he's limited in power, how he's capable of such a broad and wide-sweeping reach on humanity.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Adrift View Post
2.) Biblical descriptions of demonic activity like possession are now viewed through the lens of modern medicine as mental illness. So what once was attributed to demons is now attributed to psychiatric episodes. That isn't to say that mental illness doesn't exist, I believe it does, its just that its not uncommon to read interpretations of the Gerasene demoniac suffering from schizophrenia or what have you. So Christians are embarrassed to mention possession because it makes them look like superstitious kooks.
It sounds most fascinating, but sadly I have yet to read it.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostI think, like other Scripture, it needs to be taken in the overall context of the rest of Scripture.
Well, he IS limited in power -- and time. He's a "short timer", to use unofficial military jargon.
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Originally posted by Paprika View PostI doubt there'd be "woe to the inhabiters of the earth" if the devil wasn't capable of causing great damage.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 PostWhy SURE he's capable of causing great damage -- but that's still limited to whatever God allows. We can spend so much time focusing on what the Devil can and can't do that we fail to fulfill the great commission.
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Originally posted by seanD View PostAnd 2 Thess 2 indicates that God allows a deluding force from Satan to deceive all those that refuse the truth. That's not only a pretty powerful delusion but, as I said, a wide-reaching one. That passage also seems to imply that wickedness is a direct result of being deceived.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 PostWhy SURE he's capable of causing great damage -- but that's still limited to whatever God allows. We can spend so much time focusing on what the Devil can and can't do that we fail to fulfill the great commission.
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Originally posted by Paprika View PostAnd we can spend too little time focusing on what he does such that his attacks limit and disrupt efforts to fulfill the Commission.
*being factious -- my mom used to tell me that very thing during my relatively short lived rebellion.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 PostNobody's disputing that, Sean.... but do you want to spend all your time worrying about that? Don't you trust in God to protect, guide and defend you? Are you doing your part to disciple the nations?
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Originally posted by seanD View PostThis is a false dichotomy.
And yes, previous posts indicate that that was in dispute which is why I pointed it out. It also would be another possible reason Christians are reluctant to discuss Satan, because they oversimplify or underestimate his potency.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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