I thought god created everything, then why would he create the devil or did the devil just appear out of something else he created? why can't god do something with the devil.
Category: Society & Culture > Religion & Spirituality
2007-07-01 17:37:48 · 15 answers · asked by Ben Z 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The devil began as an angel. He became jealous of the worship God was getting. He tempted Adam and Eve. They chose to follow Satan, who had given them nothing, rather than God, who had given them everything. God could have destroyed them right away. But all of the angels were watching. They might think that Satan was right. Also, Satan, in effect, said that God was witholding good from Adam and Eve and questioned God's right to rule.
Could God have just simply forgiven Adam and Eve?
No! As perfect humans, Adam and Eve made a deliberate choice to reject God's sovereignty and to accept the guidance of Satan instead. There was no sign of repentance. However, when people ask about forgiveness in the matter, they may actually be wondering why God did not simply lower his standard and tolerate the existence of sin and rebellion. The answer involves a quality that is essential to God's very nature--his holiness.--Exodus 28:36; 39:30
The Bible emphasizes God's holiness hundreds of times. Sadly, though, few people in this corrupt world understand that quality. God is clean, pure, and separate from all sinfulness. (Isaiah 6:3; 59:2) When it comes to sin, he has arranged a means for atoning for it, wiping it away, but he will not tolerate it forever. If God were willing to tolerate sin eternally, we would have no hope for the future. (Proverbs 14:12) In his due time, God will bring all creation into a state of holiness. That is certain, for it is the will of the Holy One.
Could God have merely destroyed the rebels in Eden and started over?
He had the power to do so; soon he will use that power to destroy all wicked. 'Why,' some may wonder, 'did he not do so when there were only three sinners in the universe? Would not the spread of sin--and all the misery we see in the world--have been prevented?' Why did God not choose that course of action? The answer is in Deuteronomy 32:4 where we learn that all God's ways are justice. God is a love of justice. (Psalm 37:28) Because of this love of justice, God refrained from wiping out the rebels in Eden. Why?
Satan's rebellion raised a question regarding the rightness of God's sovereignty. God's sense of justice required that Satan's challenge be given a just answer. The immediate execution of the rebels, while well-deserved, would not have provided such an answer. It would have provided further evidence of God's supremacy in power, but his power was not in question. Furthermore, God stated his purpose to Adam and Eve. They were to fill the earth, subdue it, and have all earthly creation in subjection. (Genesis 1:28) If God had simply destroyed Adam and Eve, his stated purpose regarding humans would have become empty words. God's justice would never allow for such an outcome, for his purpose is always accomplished.--Isaiah 55:10,11
Could anyone in the universe address the rebellion with greater wisdom than God?
Some people might propose their own "solutions" to the rebellion in Eden. In doing so, however, would they not be suggesting that they could think of better ways to handle the issue? They might not do so out of a wicked motive, but they do not have an understanding of God and his awe-inspiring wisdom. In writing to Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul delved deeply into God's wisdom, including the sacred secret regarding God's purpose to use the Messianic Kingdom to bring about the redemption of faithful mankind and to sanctify His holy name. HOw did Paul feel about the wisdom of the God who devised this purpose? The apostle concluded his letter by telling us that God is wise alone.--Romans 11:25; 16:25-27
Paul understood that God is wise alone--the very pinnacle of wisdom in the universe. What imperfect human could possibly think of a better way to handle anything--let alone the most difficult challenge to divine wisdom ever made? Feel awe for the God who is wise in heart. (Job 9:4) The better we comprehend God's wisdom, the more fully we will trust that His way of handling matters is best.--Proverbs 3:5,6
God is love. (1 John 4:8) The Bible identifies God's dominant quality, the quality that is the most appealing of them all and the most comforting for those troubled by the prevalence of wickedness. God has shown love in every aspect of the way he has handled sin's terrible blight upon his creation. Love moved God to give hope to the sinful offspring of Adam and Eve, providing them with a means to approach Him and come into an approved relationship with Him. Love moved God to provide a ransom that would open the way for full forgiveness of sins and restoration to perfect, everlasting life. (John 3:16) And love has moved him to be patient with mankind, giving as many as possible the opportunity to reject Satan and choose God as their Sovereign.
2007-07-01 18:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Catherine♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lucifer was once an angel, he wasn't always evil. Also, God probably allows the devil to continue to exist for two reasons: 1) It goes against God's own teachings to kill anything, 2) The devil does a pretty good job running a place to put all those who are evil.
2007-07-01 17:45:05 · answer #2 · answered by Uryx 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God gave free will. The devil was an angel that rebelled against God. Jesus has already defeated the devil by rising from the dead.
Fortunately for you and everybody else...
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Seek the Lord while he can still be found.
2007-07-01 17:50:43 · answer #3 · answered by Joy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First thing you have to know is that there is no devil, never was.
Second - The Devil is a prototype of what evil looks like so that we as people will know what that is. Each one of us has some of these traits in one degree or another.
God - Is the only one, did not create the devil, did not create evil, did not create bad stuff. If God even thought about killing everything would vanish. "And God Saw that it was good and so it was."
When you think that the "Devil made me do it" you are just trying to avoid the responsibility for thinking, and doing whatever it is that you did, that was a transgression of your own ethic.
When we have real integrity, honesty, and responsibility for ourselves then we know that we sometimes think thoughts that are in opposition to ethical and moral standards. However it is our job to transform those kinds of thoughts into thoughts and actions that produce on-going happiness for ourselves and or lives.
The devil as a prototype simply shows us where to look within ourselves for the difficulties that we face as human beings.
2007-07-02 01:53:04 · answer #4 · answered by dennywisard 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I dont' know about Christianity, but in the vedik scriptures it states that nothing exists in defiance to God.
There is the illusory energy of God, also called maha maya.
Maybe this energy could be called the devil, but it also works under the Lord's direction. This energy really only helps us do what we want to do- which is believe what we want to believe.
Since we are here, people predominantly want to believe that they are the controlers, the creators, the god in their life. (the universe spins around me- that kind of attitude) it's a selfish perversion of the soul, but it is facilitated by The Lord's energy mahamaya.
And under this energy we have very balanced existence. when we're good we get good, when we're bad we get bad... It's a very fair system of karma, action and reaction.
Then there is described hellish planets in the vedik scriptures, but there is no devil. The hellish planets are ruled by the demigod of justice- Yamaraj (who is good). He deals out what punishment or enjoyment a person deserves.
All things within the material universes are temporary, so that includes hell. You remain in hell for as long as you deserve, then you are back to earth sphere, where you can do more karma.
Also it's described that hell only lasts for a few seconds between the transmigrating soul, (in other words between bodies) but it can feel like almost eternity..
anyways it's all relative :-P
check my previous answers on heaven and hell for more details, or you can write me if you're curios about more.
2007-07-01 18:06:43 · answer #5 · answered by happy_n_freeone 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God created the devil. He was a beautiful creation. He turned against God and yes God knew he would turn. God has had a plan from the beginning of the universe, angels, and man. Think of it as a great movie you are watching only to realize it is a mini series and you have to wait until the next episode and the next. Life is a drama. Some good and some bad and some tragic. I love a good movie. So think of this life as a drama on the TV or the movie screen and God is the viewer.
2007-07-01 17:47:05 · answer #6 · answered by Chloe 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
"The Devil" is Lucifer, who used to be an angel. God's favored angel, in fact. Lucifer decided that God should not have the kind of authority that He asserted over the heavens and the Earth, so Lucifer revolted. The revolution failed however, and Lucifer was cast out of Heaven. God is not about killing things that displease him. If God killed everyone who displeased him, would you still be here? Or any one of us for that matter?
2007-07-01 17:57:07 · answer #7 · answered by adkins_rita 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well u should read the bible theres alot of stuff in there well ill tell u this god created an angel named lucifer and he made him into an archangel and lucifer wanted to be like god and made the other angels think the wrong way then they rebeled against god and there was a fight in heaven and the end saint michael the archangel threw lucifer (now the devil) and the other angels (now the demons) out of the heavens and threw them into hell thats why devil came to be the devil and ever since the devil tryed to make the people rebel against god too.
2007-07-01 18:05:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently, Satan was like someone else stated, a fallen angel. Yes, God created everything in heaven and earth including Satan. Hell was created for the devil and his angels. Sure, God can do anything He wants to do, but, keep in mind, God cannot lie and he does not change. He is not a repector of persons either. We do have a choice of doing what the Bible says or doing nothing, which, would be to follow Satan. If we do not do as we are commanded, we will not go to heaven. It is our choice. God created us in his image, which means, we have a say in our future. It does not mean we look like God by any means. Obey the Bible and you will be in heaven and away from Satan.
2007-07-01 17:57:21 · answer #9 · answered by John M 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
God gives all his creatures the free-will to accept him or not. The devil is already condemned and at the end of time, everyone will recieve final judgement.God bless.
2007-07-01 17:42:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋