Do you think of him as a real person who tempts people to do wicked things, or does he merely represent the principle of evil?
Is the Devil someone to be feared, or should he be dismissed as nothing more than a superstitious notion or a mythological unreality?
Does the word “devil” refer to some abstract destructive force in the universe?
Could the term simply be a symbol of the evil traits in humans, as many modern theologians claim?
2006-12-10 17:04:46 · 22 answers · asked by papavero 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He was one of the most powerful angels in heaven. When he rebelled he was thrown out. He retained his power. He hates all that God loves, which means he hates me and you and all other humans. He is a liar and a thief. He prowls around seeking whom he may devour. He would kill you now if God allowed him to. The devil is VERY real.
2006-12-10 17:09:51 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I'll give you my view as a Christian. OK? Lucifer was in charge at one time with praise and worship so that being said you've got to think that that is a way for him to be able to connect to people. There are many songs written that glorify the Lord but we still have to be careful in that in all the things that we do that we don't carry too much credence into "feeling" the music. If there is no peace and you are feeling "haunted" by the music then stop immediately. You already said that is is getting you away from God. My pastor and his wife visited a church at one time that had this praise and worship that would make the enemy smile. Girls came out in light airy outfits and drums were beating, people were swaying, tambourines on hips while the girls danced circles around the congregation. The only spirit there was not from the Lord. Be careful in all that you do and make sure that all you do you do it unto the Lord. Ask Him what it is that you should be doing for Him. It might have nothing to do with music. When we come to Him we are to come to Him with empty hands for He alone will fill them. This is what consecration means in the Hebrew. To have empty hands made full. Made full of what you ask? Made full of Christ. He has no need for our natural abilities. Even if you were a great orator it might not be that He wants you to be a pastor or speaker somewhere. If you sing like a lark this does not mean that He wants you to be in choir or cut a CD. We are to give our talents to Him and let Him give you His. There is a place in the Body of Christ for all them that believe. Our job is to just enjoy the Lord and sit at His feet for it is there that we serve Him best for it is the better part.
2016-05-23 04:19:29 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lucifer was an Angel in heaven at one time. He wanted to have the power God had and God threw him out of heaven. This is in Revelation.
The devil is evil The one who is always against God. He is not to be feared because Jesus fought for us and the battle is won.
He can tempt us, trip us, lie to us basically try to get us from God. So he to definitely be taken seriously.
Read Job, the devil went before God to ask to tempt Job. He is limited. We have a choice which side to choose. God gave us that choice.
Each day, and everything we do we choose to feed the spirit or the flesh. But in all we have to know we are doomed without Christ.
2006-12-10 17:13:22 · answer #3 · answered by P&B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I personally am an atheist. In that case, I don't believe in a devil. It's just another god.
"...should he be dismissed as nothing more than a superstitious notion or a mythological unreality?" Exactly, yes.
BTW: All of you who say atheists "work" for the devil... grow up.
How can we work for something/someone we do NOT believe in? You Christians invented this devil. We reject BOTH of your gods.
2006-12-10 17:12:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
According to a former teacher of mine who had a doctorate in ancient Religion...The myth of the Devil was created as Christians were busy burning Pagans, and trying to scare people into Christianity.
This new religion called Christianity created the devil by taking the name Lucifer which was a Pagan God, and for the Visual Facade they used the Picture of another Pagan God called Pan
(Goat like) they added a few horns and a spear, created a domain for him called Hell. Then Created a beautiful alternative place called heaven which was the Promise land for all who agreed to live their lives as a Christian.
Peace...
2006-12-10 17:14:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am not a Christian, although I believe that Jesus was a real person. I don't believe in the Devil as a deity or personage, and it is far to simple to create a negative to blame all your problems and ills on rather than taking responsibility for your own actions. I do believe in a greater power, but not in a western religion sense, because have you seen what has gone on/ is going in the world in the name of religion. If there was a God like the Jews/Christians/Muslims say, then do think for one moment that he would allow all the evil that is perpetrated in his name. Ridiculous!!!!
2006-12-10 17:11:05 · answer #6 · answered by Crowfeather 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Satan is a fallen angel who attempts to sway humanity to follow him rather than God the Almighty. If you have faith in God, there is no reason to fear Satan. Satan should not be dismissed. He is always ready to fill the void when man strays from God. Those "modern theologians" you speak of should read the Bible rather than try to translate it into something it is not.
2006-12-10 17:19:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
He is very real and certainly a lot smarter than us! He has many believing that he doesn't exist only because he makes it easier to manipulate them. For a really good description of Satan read Ezekiel Ch.28 V13-19
2006-12-10 18:23:59 · answer #8 · answered by mandbturner3699 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lucifer was the most beautiful angel in heaven he at one time glorified the throne of our Father God with his beauty he is the musical angel with the pipe built within his wings he is a morning star light bearer but his Pride brought him to want to be worshiped his pride was the original sin still one of the deadly sins Michael the Arch Angel of God cast Lucifer out of heaven with a third of the stars (angels) the were none as the sons of God when Lucifer came to the earth he shook his fist at God and said he would exalt him self above God and sit on the most High this will be when the anti-christ rules the earth Lucifer has been given many names, Satan, Devil, Bealzebub, Dragon, Beast, more then i care to think of at this time. His Pride and anger and Hate for God has made him evil the other third of the fallen angels also have names but we have no need to call upon them they are now know as demons, evil, foul, and unclean spirits. They lost their bodies in the flood of Noah but they still seek bodies to possess it could be a animal or it could be man. you might not believe in them but they believe in you and they are in everyones life and bussiness everyday it's up to you if you let them have control over you or not if you have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ they have no power over you for Greater is He that is in me then He that is in the world.
2006-12-10 17:25:22 · answer #9 · answered by jamnjims 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it is just a symbolic representation of evil that happens either in the natural world or in people's actions. I don't consider him "real".
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2006-12-10 17:07:11 · answer #10 · answered by Alan 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋