The god of this world

[Dawnofhope]

The influence of the Liar and Destroyer of humanity should not be overlooked or underestimated, in the unfolding history of man.

He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.

There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:

1. Fear him, and overestimate his power
2. Underestimate him, or depreciate his influence

Most people err in one of these 2 extremes. The most popular view of the enemy of humanity now, is to caricaturize the devil, and make him into a mythical joke. This is his work, too, to blind people to Reality.

It is not my goal here to empirically prove, or disprove the existence of the devil, but to address his outworkings, of deception and destruction, in the human experience. The evidence of a Great Deceptive Force, in the history of man, is obvious.

I will also relay some biblical facts, about the nature of this influence, in the world of man. As this is a deep and involved subject, and too long for a forum thread, my points will be general, and not expanded upon. I and others can happily expand and clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings about this constant menace to Truth and the individual soul.

1. He is a fallen Angelic being, rebelling against God, and took 1/3 of the angels with him
2. He was defeated at the Cross, when Jesus's blood paid the penalty for humanity's sin
3. He is a liar, and the father of lies
4. He comes to kill and destroy
5. He knows his time is short, and works tirelessly to destroy the relationship between God and man.
6. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so they cannot see the redemptive work of Jesus.
7. Some humans are devoted followers of Satan.. and some completely unaware that they are.
8. He is the accuser, who tries to derail the redemptive process with false accusations and guilt trips.

Jn8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2co4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel..

Rev12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray..
10 For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death...
12 But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

From a Baha’i perspective Satan is symbolic of our lower nature. Regardless whether Satan is literal or allegorical, each of us has the power in our lives to move towards the light and away from the darkness. Did Christ enable His followers to conquer evil? I believe He did.

 

[Katzpur]

Now I have the authority to distinguish between the liar and the Truthfull.

And of course, you're the only one with such authority.

 

[Subduction Zone]

And of course, you're the only one with such authority.

Of course. He patented it

 

[atanu]

The influence of the Liar and Destroyer of humanity should not be overlooked or underestimated, in the unfolding history of man.

He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.

There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:

1. Fear him, and overestimate his power
2. Underestimate him, or depreciate his influence

Most people err in one of these 2 extremes. The most popular view of the enemy of humanity now, is to caricaturize the devil, and make him into a mythical joke. This is his work, too, to blind people to Reality.

It is not my goal here to empirically prove, or disprove the existence of the devil, but to address his outworkings, of deception and destruction, in the human experience. The evidence of a Great Deceptive Force, in the history of man, is obvious.

I will also relay some biblical facts, about the nature of this influence, in the world of man. As this is a deep and involved subject, and too long for a forum thread, my points will be general, and not expanded upon. I and others can happily expand and clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings about this constant menace to Truth and the individual soul.

1. He is a fallen Angelic being, rebelling against God, and took 1/3 of the angels with him
2. He was defeated at the Cross, when Jesus's blood paid the penalty for humanity's sin
3. He is a liar, and the father of lies
4. He comes to kill and destroy
5. He knows his time is short, and works tirelessly to destroy the relationship between God and man.
6. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so they cannot see the redemptive work of Jesus.
7. Some humans are devoted followers of Satan.. and some completely unaware that they are.
8. He is the accuser, who tries to derail the redemptive process with false accusations and guilt trips.

Jn8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2co4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel..

Rev12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray..
10 For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death...
12 But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

Is devil unborn like God or is devil created? If he is created by mistake, why does not God destroy him? If devil is created on purpose, then for what purpose?

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Reverend Bob]

What if it is all fake like in The Matrix. What if the devil is really the Architect?

 

[SA Huguenot]

And of course, you're the only one with such authority.

Not realy.
There are many others.
However, anyone who did not read a certain religions' books, can not critisize it.
They have no authority to do so.
My point is, once you did read what a religious book says, only then do you have the authority to critisize.
Lets say I am ignorant to Einsteins' theory of Special relativity, iow, I never bothered to read what he wrote, and I never even attempted to learn the Lorenz transformation, but I am adament that Eisteins' theory is a hoax because I believe tmy holy book says Time can not be changed; then I am a fool.
But If I studied the SR Theory, and I show depth on my argument, I am a person with Authority on the subject.
We have many such examples where people argue, but never bothered to investigate for themself.
I just think this is the only way to debate a point.

 

[sealchan]

The influence of the Liar and Destroyer of humanity should not be overlooked or underestimated, in the unfolding history of man.

He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.

There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:

1. Fear him, and overestimate his power
2. Underestimate him, or depreciate his influence

Most people err in one of these 2 extremes. The most popular view of the enemy of humanity now, is to caricaturize the devil, and make him into a mythical joke. This is his work, too, to blind people to Reality.

It is not my goal here to empirically prove, or disprove the existence of the devil, but to address his outworkings, of deception and destruction, in the human experience. The evidence of a Great Deceptive Force, in the history of man, is obvious.

I will also relay some biblical facts, about the nature of this influence, in the world of man. As this is a deep and involved subject, and too long for a forum thread, my points will be general, and not expanded upon. I and others can happily expand and clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings about this constant menace to Truth and the individual soul.

1. He is a fallen Angelic being, rebelling against God, and took 1/3 of the angels with him
2. He was defeated at the Cross, when Jesus's blood paid the penalty for humanity's sin
3. He is a liar, and the father of lies
4. He comes to kill and destroy
5. He knows his time is short, and works tirelessly to destroy the relationship between God and man.
6. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so they cannot see the redemptive work of Jesus.
7. Some humans are devoted followers of Satan.. and some completely unaware that they are.
8. He is the accuser, who tries to derail the redemptive process with false accusations and guilt trips.

Jn8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2co4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel..

Rev12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray..
10 For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death...
12 But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

I love how the devil is faring in politics these days...

Literalism is perhaps his greatest weapon. Take God's word and shape it into a tool to deceive...brilliant!

 

[sealchan]

I suppose I should follow UK politics. I thought that you might have made an error in regards to our Veep, Pence. Why are both of our countries so messed up right now?

Loss of white, male, Christian dominance...

 

[JJ50]

I love how the devil is faring in politics these days...

Literalism is perhaps his greatest weapon. Take God's word and shape it into a tool to deceive...brilliant!

The devil could be no worse than the Biblical depiction of the god character.

 

[SA Huguenot]

The devil could be no worse than the Biblical depiction of the god character.

now, what is the Biblical depicttion of the God of the Bible you have?
teach me too, I sort of missed out on it when I read the Bible over 15 times and summarised it.

 

[sealchan]

The devil could be no worse than the Biblical depiction of the god character.

Sometimes they make quite the pair.

 

[Spartan]

Humans are the 'gods' of this world, there is no evidence there is any external entities.

There's a lot of evidence but you won't apply yourself and read anything but left-wing propaganda.

 

[Spartan]

This boogeyman crap is too silly for me. The entire idea that the Creator of the universe is having some feud with a creation of its own is too dumb for me

It's not dumb at all. Parents have serious issues with their children all the time. That's what can happen when angels and humans have free will. Some of them will go ballistic.

 

[Left Coast]

There's a lot of evidence but you won't apply yourself and read anything but left-wing propaganda.

Yes, if there's just one thing we hate around here it's considering people's evidence for their worldviews.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The influence of the Liar and Destroyer of humanity should not be overlooked or underestimated, in the unfolding history of man.

He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.

There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:

1. Fear him, and overestimate his power
2. Underestimate him, or depreciate his influence

Most people err in one of these 2 extremes. The most popular view of the enemy of humanity now, is to caricaturize the devil, and make him into a mythical joke. This is his work, too, to blind people to Reality.

It is not my goal here to empirically prove, or disprove the existence of the devil, but to address his outworkings, of deception and destruction, in the human experience. The evidence of a Great Deceptive Force, in the history of man, is obvious.

I will also relay some biblical facts, about the nature of this influence, in the world of man. As this is a deep and involved subject, and too long for a forum thread, my points will be general, and not expanded upon. I and others can happily expand and clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings about this constant menace to Truth and the individual soul.

1. He is a fallen Angelic being, rebelling against God, and took 1/3 of the angels with him
2. He was defeated at the Cross, when Jesus's blood paid the penalty for humanity's sin
3. He is a liar, and the father of lies
4. He comes to kill and destroy
5. He knows his time is short, and works tirelessly to destroy the relationship between God and man.
6. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so they cannot see the redemptive work of Jesus.
7. Some humans are devoted followers of Satan.. and some completely unaware that they are.
8. He is the accuser, who tries to derail the redemptive process with false accusations and guilt trips.

Jn8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2co4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel..

Rev12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray..
10 For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death...
12 But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

Welcome to your own choices.

All Good is from God, all evil is from ones own self.

"..Will ye not bear witness? Men, however, have wittingly broken His law. Is such a behavior to be attributed to God, or to their proper selves? Be fair in your judgment. Every good thing is of God, and every evil thing is from yourselves. Will ye not comprehend? This same truth hath been revealed in all the Scriptures, if ye be of them that understand. Every act ye meditate is as clear to Him as is that act when already accomplished. There is none other God besides Him. His is all creation and its empire. All stands revealed before Him; all is recorded in His holy and hidden Tablets...." Baha'u'llah.

Regards Tony

 

[usfan]

Is devil unborn like God or is devil created? If he is created by mistake, why does not God destroy him? If devil is created on purpose, then for what purpose?

Thanks in advance.

According to biblical theology, Satan, Lucifer, or the devil was a high ranking angelic being, who rebelled against God, and was cast from His presence until a final judgement. He was not equal to God, and was a created being.

He was not created 'evil', but chose that path, implying free will for the angelic spirits, as well.

Many theories and speculations abound, regarding this historical enemy of God and humanity. Those who have encountered him, like those who have encountered God, may not know or understand the theology, but they know he is a dangerous enemy, intent only on lies and destruction.

 

[JJ50]

According to biblical theology, Satan, Lucifer, or the devil was a high ranking angelic being, who rebelled against God, and was cast from His presence until a final judgement. He was not equal to God, and was a created being.

He was not created 'evil', but chose that path, implying free will for the angelic spirits, as well.

Many theories and speculations abound, regarding this historical enemy of God and humanity. Those who have encountered him, like those who have encountered God, may not know or understand the theology, but they know he is a dangerous enemy, intent only on lies and destruction.

If Satan and god exist maybe it had good reason to rebel against it. Maybe god is lying when it says Satan is evil, when in fact it is god, which is the fount of all that is evil.

 

[Lionel Refson]

The influence of the Liar and Destroyer of humanity should not be overlooked or underestimated, in the unfolding history of man.

He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.

There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:

IMO There can not be any devil in the world and all evil is created by humanity as is all good . That is because God would never allow another force to hold any influence over God's children. God can do this because God can do anything. because we have freewill we choose to do evil things
This is the weakness with the christian view of satan etc.To suppose satan exists imo is an insult to our beloved Creator who went as far as to bless us to be fruitful and multiply It makes no sense that God would do this and then create or allow to exist (or whatever you think ) a satanic powerful force to ruin our lives. God's blessing cannot be divisive... God is ONE

........and of course no I cannot prove God exists

 

[usfan]

If Satan and god exist maybe it had good reason to rebel against it. Maybe god is lying when it says Satan is evil, when in fact it is god, which is the fount of all that is evil.

Yes, there are a lot of different beliefs, regarding the presence of evil..

IMO There can not be any devil in the world and all evil is created by humanity as is all good . That is because God would never allow another force to hold any influence over God's children.

If 'humanity' is the source of all evil, then why did God allow that? God has allowed evil, and whether you believe the influence of an external agent, or exclusively human, it is a real problem.

 

[Catholicus]

You know for the entirety of the Bible. Satan still comes out as being pretty much the good guy all things considered.

How ? Satan is the source of all the moral and spiritual evil in the world.