Christians Only: Is Satan real?

[Eddi]

A question for Christians only:

Do you believe that Satan exists?

If so why so? And if not why not?

And if you believe that he exists do you also believe that he somehow exerts an influence over the affairs of this world?

If so why so? And if not why not?

For me:

Yes, I believe that he exists and exerts some influence over this world

Why? Because I believe that I have experienced demonic forces: I believe that I have first-hand experience of the demonic

Also, he is clearly mentioned in the bible

 

[Brickjectivity]

Also, he is clearly mentioned in the bible

Not clearly but obscurely. The word 'Satan' is Hebrew not English and means 'Enemy' and could be translated as such instead of left untranslated. By leaving it untranslated it has the appearance of being a proper name; but its not a name. It never was a name, not when Jesus said it nor anybody else in the books of the bible. There are multiple enemies in there, multiple satans, not one exclusive satan.

 

[Eddi]

Not clearly but obscurely. The word 'Satan' is Hebrew not English and means 'Enemy' and could be translated as such instead of left untranslated. By leaving it untranslated it has the appearance of being a proper name; but its not a name. It never was a name, not when Jesus said it nor anybody else in the books of the bible. There are multiple enemies in there, multiple satans, not one exclusive satan.

Interesting, thanks for sharing...

But I don't see why these multiple enemies couldn't be organised into some kind of hierarchy with a chief enemy in charge of them all

 

[Psalm23]

I chose the first option.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Yes. There are too many accounts of personal, visible, & tangible experiences!

And apparently, you’ve had one (or more.)

It would be disrespectful and belittling of me to claim that you (and all the others) had made it up.

These facts support the evidence provided in the Bible

 

[74x12]

A question for Christians only:

Do you believe that Satan exists?

If so why so? And if not why not?

And if you believe that he exists do you also believe that he somehow exerts an influence over the affairs of this world?

If so why so? And if not why not?

For me:

Yes, I believe that he exists and exerts some influence over this world

Why? Because I believe that I have experienced demonic forces: I believe that I have first-hand experience of the demonic

Also, he is clearly mentioned in the bible

It's all real. It's all true. Demons are real. Witchcraft is real. Witches exist and do a lot of harm. It's all true. People can deny it and stick their head in the sand because they're scared. Fine, but there is a lot more out there than just that. If just that scares people then I don't know what to tell them.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Why? Because I believe that I have experienced demonic forces: I believe that I have first-hand experience of the demonic

I am sorry that you’ve had such experiences!

What you said about the Bible revealing a Satan (which means Opposer, or Resister [Devil means slanderer]), is correct. But while God’ Word doesn’t go into too much detail about the Devil (which we can understand, because it’s Jehovah’s/Yahweh’s book....what author writes a book about about his dealings, but then describes his enemy’s accomplishments?) it gives us enough information to try and avoid his influence.

I just wanted to let you know that the Bible tells us about the origin of Satan’s cohorts, the demons.
It’s interesting, that we have to use the entire Bible, to reach an accurate conclusion.
In 2 Peter 2 4, it discusses “angels that sinned”, then immediately mentions (vss5&6) ‘Noah & the ancient world’, then discusses Sodom & Gomorrah, then immediately mentions “righteous Lot”. Since we know the Bible ties in Sodom&Gomorrah w/ Lot, we can also tie in the angels with Noah&the Flood.

Jude 1:6 gives us more info....it tells us about angels who “abandoned their proper dwelling place.”

From what I was taught, this explains Genesis 6:1-4. Peter & Jude are telling us these “sons of God” of Gen.6 are angels “who sinned.” (Not descendants of Seth, as some purport.)

Take care.