The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
If God wanted people to believe in him, Why does he make it more difficult for people to understand, so that they will be able to believe in him?
2007-08-03 19:05:05 · 18 answers · asked by Sandra B 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"the god of this age" is the devil, not God (since Adam and Eve obeyed him; see 1 John 5:19, for instance). The devil is the one who doesn't want people to understand and believe.
What I think about this: The implication is that you have to PRAY for people, in order for them to be able to see the light. That is the reason a lot of people seem to be unable to understand even simple things about God and Jesus: they have a veil; which has to be took off with prayer.
2007-08-03 19:12:20 · answer #1 · answered by Joshua 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Verse is saying that Satan has blinded non believers from understanding. It is an encouragement to believers that they are doing the right thing by believing and explaining why some don't believe. Jesus said, " Those that have eyes will see and those who have ears will hear. Remember that man wrote the words and you may have to study mans words and interpretations to understand the bible.
One could say that unless you take the effort and seek the answers, then you will continue to be blinded to understanding. Jesus often spoke in parables so those who were against him and his followers would not understand and there would be less reason for the Romans or the temple to persecute them because they would not be able to figure out his opposition against traditions and authority. He sometimes even had to explain his parables to his disciples because they didn't understand. So give yourself time to learn and don't use this as an excuse not to believe.
Rev. TomCat
2007-08-03 19:21:35 · answer #2 · answered by Rev. TomCat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says "the god of this age" is Satan, so it's not God the creator who is blinding people from the truth.
Note that according to the text it is "unbelievers", people who have already decided not to believe, that Satan makes sure are kept from the light - not believers and not people who have not yet made a decision.
Those unbelievers who now belong to Satan, had every opportunity to hear and believe God's word but the chose not to and now Satan is going to make sure it stays that way!
2007-08-03 19:18:48 · answer #3 · answered by jeffd_57 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because those who have accurate knowledge will use it dangerously or to fool others by manipulation to carry out an evil deed.
I used to wonder this myself, but Jehovah God knows at times that it is necessary to even he, blind the minds of the unbelievers because what they will do with the truth will be provoked by the evilness down deep in their hearts.
I thought about this for years before finally asking an Elder what did it mean. Ask an Elder, but this forum when you ask questions like this, is full of dirty unbelievers who will post derrogatory blasphemy as you can see.
EDIT:
If you are speaking about Satan, yes, Satan blinds the minds of the unbelievers and it's because many do not want to believe the truth about Godly standards. Many want to live rebellious lives so this is what Satan gives them. But there is a scripture where God does blind the minds of the unbelievers as stated in my original answer above.
2007-08-03 19:09:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
"in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
There's a difference between a god and God.
2007-08-03 19:09:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
You are picking it apart and trying to make it sound as though Paul is explaining that God doesn't want you to know him. What he is talking about in these verses is about those who DO NOT believe! If you read ALL of Ch.4 Verses1-18, you will better understand what Paul is saying. I commend you for at least trying to read the Bible and trying to understand. :)
2007-08-03 19:34:23 · answer #6 · answered by Linda M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God does not "want" us to believe in Him. He lacks nothing. He was content before our creation...He does not need any of us.
Out of His good pleasure He made everything. He even made free will so that we could choose to worship Him.
We are the ones who will not to follow Him. We are the ones who get distracted or disinterested. The problem is people, not the Lord.
2007-08-03 19:17:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a question from someone who really cares, and it's nice to see. The Apostles also wanted Jesus to show God's power so that all would believe, yet if God were to do so, all those not truly called would follow just to escape hell, not because they loved Him. And If you trully love Him then you will suffer for Him just as Jesus did. If God showed all His power, it would undo all of Jesus' life and God WILL NOT go against His own Word! God bless you.
2007-08-03 19:11:39 · answer #8 · answered by stetson 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The "god of this Age" refers to Satan. He has another title too "prince of power of the air" (Eph. 2:12). It is not the Almighty God that is being referred to. That is Satan's plan since the beginning.. to frustrate God through his oppositions..
2007-08-04 12:37:58 · answer #9 · answered by Jay R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i can see how you could get confused here... notice that ''god'' isn't capitalized. paul isn't referring to the Holy One of israel, but to the devil. the devil is called many different things; the god of this world, the prince of the power of the sky and air (i know i'm at least close on that last one), etc, etc. satan is called the god of this world or this age because mankind turned the authority of the world over to him after it was given to man by God. that's one reason Jesus died for us- to give us back the authority that's rightfully ours. that's what is meant when you hear someone say that Jesus ''conquered hell.''
2007-08-03 19:18:10 · answer #10 · answered by That Guy Drew 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋