Considering how immoral everybody is, he ought to be sitting back in his fiery underground lair, perfectly assured that every human being on the planet is lining up outside his door--and why would he make a deal and offer you something for a soul he's going to get anyway?
2006-12-31 06:24:10 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Is Satan perhaps only the evil within people?
Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-7 tell about conversations between Jehovah God and Satan. If Satan were the evil in a person, the evil in this case would have to be in Jehovah. But that is in complete disagreement with what the Bible tells us about Jehovah as being One “in whom there is no unrighteousness.” (Ps. 92:15; Rev. 4:8) It is noteworthy that the Hebrew text uses the expression has·Sa·tan´ (the Satan) in the accounts in Job, showing that reference is being made to the one who is outstandingly the resister of God.—See also Zechariah 3:1, 2, footnote in NW Reference edition.
Luke 4:1-13 reports that the Devil endeavored to tempt Jesus to do his bidding. The account relates statements made by the Devil and answers given by Jesus. Was Jesus there being tempted by evil within himself? Such a view does not harmonize with the Bible’s description of Jesus as being sinless. (Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22) Although at John 6:70 the Greek word di·a´bo·los´ is used to describe a bad quality that had developed in Judas Iscariot, in Luke 4:3 the expression ho di·a´bo·los (the Devil) is used, thus designating a particular person.
Is blaming the Devil just a device used in an effort to escape from responsibility for bad conditions?
Some people blame the Devil for what they themselves do. In contrast, the Bible shows that humans often bear much of the blame for the badness they experience, whether at the hands of other humans or as a result of their own conduct. (Eccl. 8:9; Gal. 6:7) Yet, the Bible does not leave us ignorant of the existence and devices of the superhuman foe who has brought so much grief to mankind. It shows how we can get out from under his control.
From where did Satan come?
All of Jehovah’s works are perfect; he is not the author of unrighteousness; so he did not create anyone wicked. (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 5:4) The one who became Satan was originally a perfect spirit son of God. When saying that the Devil “did not stand fast in the truth,” Jesus indicated that at one time that one was “in the truth.” (John 8:44) But, as is true of all of God’s intelligent creatures, this spirit son was endowed with free will. He abused his freedom of choice, allowed feelings of self-importance to develop in his heart, began to crave worship that belonged only to God, and so enticed Adam and Eve to listen to him rather than obey God. Thus by his course of action he made himself Satan, which means “adversary.”—Jas. 1:14, 15; see also page 372, under the heading “Sin.”
Why did not God destroy Satan promptly after he rebelled?
Serious issues were raised by Satan: (1) The righteousness and rightfulness of Jehovah’s sovereignty. Was Jehovah withholding from mankind freedom that would contribute to their happiness? Were mankind’s ability to govern their affairs successfully and their continued life truly dependent on their obedience to God? Had Jehovah been dishonest in giving a law that stated that disobedience would lead to their death? (Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:3-5) So, did Jehovah really have the right to rule? (2) The integrity of intelligent creatures toward Jehovah. By the deflection of Adam and Eve the question was raised: Did Jehovah’s servants really obey him out of love or might all of them abandon God and follow the lead being given by Satan? This latter issue was further developed by Satan in the days of Job. (Gen. 3:6; Job 1:8-11; 2:3-5; see also Luke 22:31.) These issues could not be settled by merely executing the rebels.
Not that God needed to prove anything to himself. But so that these issues would never again disrupt the peace and well-being of the universe, Jehovah has allowed ample time for them to be settled beyond all doubt. That Adam and Eve died following disobedience to God became evident in due time. (Gen. 5:5) But more was at issue. So, God has permitted both Satan and humans to try every form of government of their own making. None have brought lasting happiness. God has let mankind go to the limit in pursuing ways of life that ignore His righteous standards. The fruitage speaks for itself. As the Bible truthfully says: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jer. 10:23) At the same time God has given his servants opportunity to prove their loyalty to him by their acts of loving obedience, and this in the face of enticements and persecution instigated by Satan. Jehovah exhorts his servants, saying: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.” (Prov. 27:11) Those proving faithful reap great benefits now and have the prospect of eternal life in perfection. They will use such life in doing the will of Jehovah, whose personality and ways they truly love.
How powerful a figure is Satan in today’s world?
Jesus Christ referred to him as being “the ruler of the world,” the one whom mankind in general obeys by heeding his urgings to ignore God’s requirements. (John 14:30; Eph. 2:2) The Bible also calls him “the god of this system of things,” who is honored by the religious practices of people who adhere to this system of things.—2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Cor. 10:20.
When endeavoring to tempt Jesus Christ, the Devil “brought him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time; and the Devil said to him: ‘I will give you all this authority and the glory of them, because it has been delivered to me, and to whomever I wish I give it. You, therefore, if you do an act of worship before me, it will all be yours.’” (Luke 4:5-7) Revelation 13:1, 2 reveals that Satan gives ‘power, throne and great authority’ to the global political system of rulership. Daniel 10:13, 20 discloses that Satan has had demonic princes over principal kingdoms of the earth. Ephesians 6:12 refers to these as constituting ‘governments, authorities, world rulers of this darkness, wicked spirit forces in heavenly places.’
No wonder that 1 John 5:19 says: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” But his power is only for a limited period of time and is only by the toleration of Jehovah, who is God Almighty.
2006-12-31 06:29:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Who says he is going to get everybody ? I dont share that belief. So, he would have to offer something special to some people to see if he could gain control. Remember when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness? Well, the temptations are still around. I do believe that there are some that resist.
2006-12-31 06:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by Paul & Cathy C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
“Satan is not in hell, the place created especially for him and his angels and he will certainly be cast into the lake of fire, but he is now heaven where he has access to God's presence and accuses the saints before Him, day and night”. His rejection from heaven, described in Revelation, is yet future.”
I don’t think Satan can help anyone right now, he seems to have enough problems of his own, because according to the Prophecy, Satan will be cast into hell at End of Days
And I don’t think we ought to lay all the blame on that D-irty E-vil V-icious I-nsecure L-oser, because man seems to be quite capable of the most depraved acts all on his own.
2006-12-31 08:12:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Listen Barbie, have some sympathy. My work may easy for arrogant people like yourself, but it's stressful dealing with a person who knows they're a sinner.
2006-12-31 06:29:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Satan does still roam the earth, to insure that he won't lose any of those that he has already made his. I knew a guy in a barn fire, who swears up and down that the devil came to bargain with him, that he made a deal with him, and that is why he got out of the fire. He could have been lying, but it is weird that the fire department could see no possible way that he could have gotten out.
2006-12-31 06:28:02 · answer #5 · answered by Christine5 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes, he is still out there looking for souls.
And if you make a deal with the devil, be warned that he will always double cross you.
2006-12-31 06:29:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can.
All you gotta do is believe in thy heart and confess with thy lips that He died for your sins and was Resurected after 3 days, thereby assuring yourself a place in His Kingdom.
2006-12-31 06:36:48 · answer #7 · answered by yomama 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your soul doesn't belong to God, you have nothing to offer the Devil. He has you altogether!
N.B. I used an impersonal 'you' here.
2006-12-31 06:32:06 · answer #8 · answered by Cristina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Satan is like a lion, always on the prowl waiting to see who he can devower.
2006-12-31 06:29:02 · answer #9 · answered by wizzygirl10 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the bible says that the devil comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. why would u want to make a deal with him.
2006-12-31 06:36:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because he tries to get your soul doesn't mean you have to give it to him.He is not going to get mine, I belong to Christ.Does he have yours?It is not good if he does.
2006-12-31 08:24:49 · answer #11 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋