I have just seen a post about good luck charms warding off the devil
most suggested that Jesus is the only way to do this
my question is
before Jesus died , what warded off evil or the devil ?
I am genuinly curious to this so no disrespect intended
but Satan/Devil has been mentioned in Genesis ... what kept him at bay then when Jesus was not around ?
2007-03-31 12:18:12 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not superstitious so this isnt about defending good luck charms ..
merely curious about things
2007-03-31 12:25:14 · update #1
When you get the answer to this question, promise me you will apply to the Nobel prize society for peace or something.
Okay, what I was taught and sort of believe is that as far as Genesis, Garden of Eden stuff and all that, is that God was very near to Adam and Eve, visiting them every day. Imagine that you have 2 close friends, one that wants you to plant corn in your back yard, another that wants you to plant tomatoes. Now, if I was a brand new person, I really wouldn't have a clue that corn or tomatoes was better. but the point is that I would have both people talking to me on a daily basis. My point is that before Jesus came, if you really want to go WAY back into Genesis, God is presented like a friend we would talk to every day about any ordinary stuff.
Your question says "when Jesus was not around".. Well that's tricky. Some, many, will say Jesus was never NOT around. Because God was never NOT around. Jesus is God (I don't understand it either, i'm just saying. ... based on what I have been taught and believe, Jesus and God are like two sides of the same coin, one on earth, one in heaven).
"what kept him (Satan) at bay)" -- well, absolutely nothing. Satan, if such a being exists, is free to wreak all kinds of havock on us. Nothing keeps him "at bay"--like tied up in control. He is free just as we are. He's like a free person that is a creeped out murderer--i can't make him not exist, but so what! But we are in some ways equal to Satan--we both have free will. What keeps Satan "at bay" is you, and me, and my neighbor, and my grocery store clerk, and my hairdresser, and my aunt, and my friend, and ANYONE who stands against Satanic influence.
I heard someone say once that when you think about it, Satan is kind of stupid, because he can't create anything new. Satan is going to use a method of making us hurt ourselves and doubt ourselves by bringing up the past. He can't think of anything new to torture us with. That was personally very powerful to me. With that said, there's no need for good luck charms. If a charm makes you feel good then use it. But it's not power against Satan. Satan is really no more powerful than we are, collectively if we have a few of us gathered together.
And if I'm wrong and Satan is more powerful and you need some certain good luck charm to ward off Satan, well then hell's bells, we're screwed. And sell me the charm for 9.95 please!
2007-03-31 12:46:11 · answer #1 · answered by weallwannaknow 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
But Jesus has always been around.
" ... And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
Who then do you suppose preserved the children of Israel against all destructions to the coming of Christ in perfect and detailed fulfillment of the many prophecies from hundreds to thousands of years previous and in the perfect accordance with God's promise and plan ? Now the Israelites have been scattered and mixed that the prophecies could no longer be fulfilled.
The Devil can do nothing except by God's permission, moreover God is even able to turn and use the Devil's works to God's own purpose. Consider Judas.
God's power alone. He is the God Almighty.
2007-03-31 12:48:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The jews don't view satan as a fallen angel, and they never have. He has never been G-d's enemy to them.. he has always been in G-d's employ.
The idea of a fallen angel comes from Greek beliefs.. and those began to be incorporated into jewish culture during the 400 years between the testaments (you can see in the old testament that Satan is one of the sons of g-d who presents himself before g-d in the book of Iyov aka Job).
When the Greeks invaded, they defiled the temple and began translating jewish texts into greek (there is, to this day, a jewish day of mourning for when the greeks did this with their holy writings). They forced their beliefs of good versus evil on that culture, and that's why you see this surge of "demons under every rock" in the new testament.
Satan wasn't mentioned in Genesis... it was a serpent.. not Satan.. again, that comes from the Greek interpretation of the jewish text and not from the jews.
I hope this helps with an explanation.
Hugs,
K
2007-03-31 12:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by Kallan 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As Kallan says, the serpent in Genesis was NOT satan. The satan mentioned in the Book of Job is the adversary, or our evil inclination. God is the judge, satan is the prosecuting attorney. If you think satan has power equal to God, then you have 4 gods, not 3.
.
2007-03-31 15:28:33 · answer #4 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your question suggests that the devil is constantly trying to posess everyone. why would he want to do that? he is much more successful convincing everyone that he does not exists and if you dont believe in the devil, you probably dont believe the teachings of the Bible. His mission is accomplished.
He was so active around the time of Jesus because he thought he was going to stop God's plan. He was mistaken, just as you and your like are.
2007-03-31 12:29:00 · answer #5 · answered by whosajiggawhat? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You know what "wards" off the devil? God's word! His powerful word! The Holy Bible!
As it says, it is our sword and shield in Ephesians!
And:
Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
-Do not buy into that junk about a good luck charm- JESUS CHRIST IS our good luck charm! He is our Savior!
2007-03-31 12:23:48 · answer #6 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 7⤊ 1⤋
God is what has kept Satan from reeking havoc on the earth . God keeps him at bay but occasionally he lets him at us. Either individually or as a nation when we deserve it.
2007-03-31 13:35:25 · answer #7 · answered by swindled 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God, but then Jesus is God and the Father God has always been around. From the beginning the Trinity was in God.
Jesus said "I was slain from the foundation of the world."
Jesus said, "The Father and I are One."
Jesus said, "If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father."
2007-03-31 12:26:38 · answer #8 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
He was not at bay,He caused Adam and Eve to sin,Cain to kill his brother,etc.etc.when Jesus arrived He cast out legions of demons.
2007-03-31 12:22:23 · answer #9 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm no expert--
but I believe it was the offerings of animals, prayer and living a Godly life.
Hope that helped!
2007-03-31 12:22:36 · answer #10 · answered by Lisa the Pooh 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋