2006-06-23 13:29:25 · 14 answers · asked by Robert M 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God and Jesus are good. They always have been and always will be.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
All evil is the work of Satan (AKA, The Devil) and man's inhumanity to man.
Question: Can you explain the devil?
Answer: The devil is an actual being (Matt. 4: 3-11). The devil is the author, if you will, of evil (cp. Jn. 8: 44). He is presented as man's adversary ("Satan," adversary, I Pet. 5: 8). He is known as "the tempter" (Matt. 4: 3), "Beelzebub" (Matt. 12: 24), and "the wicked one" (Matt. 13: 19). Devil (Gk. Diabolos, the accuser) is another name (Jn. 8: 44).
The origin of the devil. The scriptures are not explicit in the matter of the origin of the devil. It is believed by many that the devil was once was the chief head angel who as some point disobeyed God. The devil tried to mount a revolution against God by declaring himself to be worshiped, not God. God cast the devil and a third of the angels that joined him out from heaven forever. However, I do believe the premise "all things not created are deity" is true. Jesus, the Word, created all things; hence, the devil is a created being. Since creation consists of angels, man, and subservient life ("animals,") and matter, the devil appears to have been an angel (cp. 2 Pet. 2: 4).
The devil enjoys limited power. God had to grant the devil special power in Job's case (Job 1: 8-11, 12). The devil, though, is in general powerful (Matt. 13: 18, 19, 28, 37-40, 2 Cor. 4: 4, Eph. 2: 2). However, the devil can be resisted (Matt. 4: 1-11). James wrote, "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4: 7).
How the devil works. The devil is behind all sin (I Jn. 3: 8). The devil chiefly works through deception (Rev. 20: 10). Sin itself is deceiving (Heb. 3: 13). The devil often uses humans. He works through false apostles and teachers who appear to the uninformed as "ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11: 13-15, Matt. 7: 15 ff). The devil is a master when it comes to "handling the word of God deceitfully" (2 Cor. 4: 2-4). While the devil enjoys some success, his final destiny is "everlasting fire" (Matt. 25: 41, 46).
How the devil works today. God and the devil both seek to influence man, in totally opposite directions. God seeks to influence for good and the devil attempts to cause man to sin. The devil appears to be more direct in his appeal to man, while God works through mediums such as the word (cp. Gal. 6: 1; Jn. 6: 44, 45). Also, on the surface, doing evil requires less effort than doing right (cp. Matt. 7: 13, 14). The devil chiefly works through deception (Rev. 20: 10). He may employ false miracles ("lying wonders"), the temporary pleasure of sin, or false doctrine to deceive people (2 Thes. 2: 9; Heb. 11: 25; I Jn. 4: 1, I Tim. 4: 1 ff). The devil skillfully makes use of men who appear so righteous, but are actually teachers of false doctrine (2 Cor. 11: 13-15, Matt. 7: 15-20).
One primary way in which the devil works is through accusation. Diabolos (the accuser, devil) is used 38 times in the Greek New Testament. The devil succeeded in tempting Eve by accusation (Gen. 3). He is seen accusing God to man and man to God (Gen. 3: 5; Job 1: 6-11). He turns people against the plain truths of God's word by accusation. Speaking of God's people (the church), the devil accuses them thus: "they are self-righteous and opinionated." The avenues of appeal at Satan's disposal are the lust of the flesh, pride of life, and the lust of the eyes (Gen. 3: 6, Matt. 4: 1-11; I Jn. 2: 15-17).
The final destiny of the devil. The irony of this whole matter involving the devil and deception is that: the great deceiver is himself the most deceived of all! He can not ultimately succeed because he is destined to failure. "And the devil that deceiveth them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone," John writes, "where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Rev. 20: 10). Hell was actually prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25: 41).
In closing, I want to leave you with the thought of victory. Yes, the devil can be overcome. Consider the apostle John's statement, "…ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one" (I Jn. 2: 14). The word of God is the instrument to defeat and thwart Satan's attempts (Matt. 4: 4, 7,10). Also, to Christians John wrote thus: "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I Jn. 4: 4).
2006-06-23 13:53:59 · answer #1 · answered by mj456a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the bible, evil serves God for an eternal plan that we can't fully comprehend. It is one of those questions that will be fully explained to His children when they get to heaven.
But, in the meantime, we need to trust that God knows what He's doing.
The people that blame God and criticize Him for the evil in this world simply don't trust His judgments and wisdom. Something tells me that since we can't see the big picture like God can, we are in the dark about a few things. This is why faith is so important with God. You either have faith that He is righteous and perfect or you don't.
2006-06-23 13:42:26 · answer #2 · answered by IL Padrino 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes God made everything that exists both big and small. He did not create evil, that is something that is contrary to His character. Check out Ex 20 (KJV), and you will see that He is not a God who likes sin. Ez 28:15 (13-19). Satan is the one that you should be blaming, not God.
2006-06-23 13:38:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God made everything. Man messed it up. God made everything perfect, including mankind. He then gave man the choice between a life of perfection or a life of knowledge. Man chose knowledge. We've regreted it ever since.
Any questions, email me.
2006-06-23 13:33:11 · answer #4 · answered by Clay_vessel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Supposedly, it's satan/ the devil that's the source of evil. Also, God granted up free will and we choose to act evil.
2006-06-23 13:34:09 · answer #5 · answered by Kel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
evil came from an angel that wanted to be better than god(more powerful).
he became the devil when god banished him
2006-06-23 13:38:11 · answer #6 · answered by themanwithaplan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the Bible says about Slavery
Exodus 21:2
If thou buy an Hebrew servant....
Exodus 21:7
If a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant....
Exodus 21:20-21
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.
Exodus 22:3
If he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Leviticus 22:11
If the priest buy any soul with his money....
Leviticus 25:39
And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee....
Leviticus 25:44-46
Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever.
Ephesians 6:5
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ.
Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
1 Timothy 6:1
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:9-10
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
1 Peter 2:18
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
2006-06-23 13:31:58 · answer #7 · answered by pope 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God made everything and God is good. but why is it that you condem him? satan is the same person who deceived man but why aren,t you questioning him? o' ye of little faith. how i wish you were hot or cold,but because you are luke warm i will spit you out......
2006-06-23 13:39:09 · answer #8 · answered by 0samaria s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep. God made Satan, too. But if God is all powerful, can't he kill Satan?
AGH! PARADOX! MY BRAIN!!!
- 16 yo Pagan
2006-06-23 13:32:15 · answer #9 · answered by Lady Myrkr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything comes from god ,even this silly question indirectly
2006-06-23 13:34:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋