Scripture chronicles a defining moment in the life of Judas (John 13:2). Nothing will be the same after this night. Judas follows the Lord for over two years but continues to give audience to the Devil. In that upper room, Satan had already prompted his heart to betray the Christ. Judas obeys. It is a fatal error in judgment. Jesus sadly confesses later to the Father, “I have lost none of these you gave me, except one.”
We are servants of whom we obey. Satan is real threat. He has power to destroy us and our loved ones, if we listen to him. We need only be aware of God's voice and follow his, not Satan's. He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.
If we accept that there is a “resident evil” in this world, then we must accept there is a resident good in us. This good is the power needed to live powerfully. This good overpowers sin and Satan. This good comes directly from Christ. This good is God in us.
If we are truly of God, we have God’s Spirit. Without God's help, we would be helpless and hopeless against the enemy.
Since we have hope and help, live and love powerfully. Live and love like God!
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I have always wondered about the people who don't believe in God but do believe in Satan. When all things are created good isn't evil just good things good bad. Probably bad because humans got involved and messed it up somthing fearse.
I was talking to a girl and she said she didn't believe in God. After questioning her I found out that she did believe in Satan. I asked her how there could be a Satan. I told her if Satin represented all the things that were bad in the world then somewhere there had to be a God (the oppossent) that represented all the good in the world. I mean, I told her, just so the comparison could be made and the choice could be made to choose from. That would mean that God did indeed exist. She agreed.
Then I told her now she would really have to choose wisely, because now you know and she said "know what?" That there is a God. Then I smiled and waved and said "lets do lunch sometime." We can talk about it.
I also hear Thomisticguy say all the time that evil is just the neglect of doing good. I'm just not sure that I agree with that. I've given it serious thought, but I can't swallow it yet. There's something not right about that statement. Let me see if I can explain.
Certainly we are not to neglect doing good. That's a command. But is an evil act performed by not doing good? You see that would make an evil act out of doing nothing. Personally, I would prefer someone do nothing rather than evil. That fact that someone can choose to do nothing RATHER than evil, at least to me, shows that doing nothing is not equivalent to doing evil. Does that make sense? (I almost confused myself!
Jesus condemns those who believed in him because they performed acts of evil. That one can perform an act of evil proves (at least to me) that evil is more than merely the neglect of doing good. It is truly the opposite of good, but more than that. There are many Christians who fail to do good in certain instances but they are far from evil persons. Those who are truly evil are far from good. They are not just merely neglectful of doing right. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference.
I think we elevate evil to a degree of respectability by saying that evil is merely the neglect of doing that which is good. Just me thinking out loud again!
You are saying, I assume, that by a "verb action" evil begins and not by doing "nothing" does it start. Let me give you a picture of nothing.
A baby fall into the water and the person does nothing. He didn't put the baby in the water so he is not at fault there. He didn't pull the baby out of the water and the baby drowns - Is he at fault for the babies drowning? Sometimes doing nothing is just as bad and doing something but not the right thing. Maybe a worse choice. And just because we are good - You know that we won't get to heaven - right?
There are times when doing nothing only shows "indifference" not innocence. That's my thought. God only creates good - He does not create evil. We turn the good to evil. Did I help explain it better?
If I can be so bold and answer this question and I am sure that Theo will also. But here goes my imput to your questions: Does that mean we must put on a suit of armor? How do we supply ourselves with such protection and how do we gain such strenght? Thru mere reading of God's word?
The Armor of God - you can read about it in the bible in Ephesians 6:11. That is in the New Testament. I just did a post on it called Stand Firm if you go to my blog. But what it is the the protection of God's word and believing in Him. It is not actually a physical thing you put on but a "suit of faith and truth and righteousness" that comes from believing in God the Father. It is called that because in God's Word (the Bible) is the knowledge to keep you safe for Satan and his demons.
It is a great question and either I or Theophileous would be glad to answer anyothers that you might have. Keep seeking the truth of God because He loves you and wants you to learn about Him.
We wish there was an easy formula. There isn’t. But, there is protection. See Ephesians 6 and the spiritual armor. Notice this armor of protection is FOR battle. Christians are not exempted FROM battle. The Christian is not promised deliverance from all suffering. Our Savior suffered. If our Master suffered, then why would we (his servants) think we would get excluded from suffering? We do not! I do not advocate the “health and wealth gospel” heard from many pulpits today. It’s a lie. The Christian has promises. God promises that he tempts no one. He promises that we will not be tempted above what they are able to bear and that, with every temptation, he provides a way of escape. He also promises that no one can take us from his hand.
One has to choose God. One has to then diligently seek him, his presence. One must choose love and truth above all else. One must choose to place the happiness of others above one’s own happiness. These are not easy choices. These are not easy. But, choosing so makes one less vulnerable to Satan’s snares.
The greatest protection and help is a gift. The gift of God’s indwelling Spirit. He indwells all who belong to him. This means believers who love and obey him. This doesn’t mean we earn it by our goodness. It means God knows his children and the condition of the heart. When the heart is right, he claims us by sending his Spirit into our hearts and, thereby, taking up residence. His children know his voice and they easily recognize truth when they hear it. They search out other truth-seekers and children of God. They read God’s word to learn more about Jesus as God in the flesh. They read God’s word to protect their hearts against the evil one and to feed their soul. The words of the Bible are true soul food. The Spirit works through the words but the words are not alone the Spirit! Do you understand the difference?
For years, I knew the Bible cover-to-cover but had no personal relationship with the author! Do you know this difference? After receiving the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, I am able to discern truth and benefit greatly from studying God’s word. Yet, I also learn lessons from God out a sunset or in the words of a small child. Sometimes truth comes from the mouth of my enemies! Truth is seen in many forms. It is easy to recognize when you know the one who is the essence of all truth.
The Spirit communicates with our spirits to reveal things we can never know by hearing with your ears or learning with your intellect (“mind power”)!
Our best protection of the enemy is to know our God well. Then, we cannot be deceived by the counterfeit! Satan is not God. He is not all-present, all-powerful, or all-knowing. Only God possesses these attributes. Satan wears a disguise. You can recognize him by the works he produces on the outside of us. You can recognize God by the fruit he produces inside us. Peace is possible on the inside when everything on the outside is chaos. Joy is possible with God (on the inside) when all that is outside is far from happiness.
Do you understand these things?
Great explanation. Yes, I get it. Here's my point: Did the person (by failing to rescue the drowning child) create evil in his refusal to act? He did sin, there is no doubt. For the Scripture says, "the one who knows to do good and does it not, to him it is sin." But, by his neglect, was evil created? You see, most Christians want evil to merely be the result of not doing good because they cannot answer the old argument: "If there is a God and he created all things then he must have created evil." Christians react to this because they don't know how to answer it. They come up with this answer, "No, evil is created when one fails to do good." I simply do not know if I can swallow that idea...yet. I'm open. Convince me.
In Genesis it tell how God created all things and they were good.
Convinced?
Just another thought - I don't believe that Satan has any power over God - but that God is allowing Satan to continue to do evil for now. So that by us at times doing "nothing" only allows the evil to continue. It doesn't start it - but it does continue because of that "snowball" effect. Does that makes since? or have I confussed us both?
This forum is a discussion of ideas and beliefs. This is not about disparaging remarks. Your desire for peace is honorable. From whom or what does it come? Is this from Wiccan beliefs? Or, did you desire peace before you became Wiccan?
Your tuff and your questions are good and taxing my biblical wisdom and my relationship to God - but I love it.
Questions: How do you explain the existence of the tempter in the garden? What about "fallen" angels? How would you explain these since man was yet uncreated?
Response: As far as tempter in the garden and the fallen angels which are believe are one in the same - God had never been a "dictator" I believe that He has always given "free will" to all of his creations of Angels and Mankind. Thus those who in heaven choose to follow other than God were banished to their choices. Just as Mankind will be Judged for their "choices"
We hear in the Bible how Satan was created by God and His most beautiful Angel (that was good) but Satan's "choice" (that was bad/evil) - The snowball continues!
How'd I do? Because this is what I believe and how I put my Trust in God to be what He shows me to be. Amen
So, evil comes from God since he gave humans and angels the power to choose evil? If so, what is the difference between that and saying that man creates evil each time he refuses to do good?
Your said: So, evil comes from God since he gave humans and angels the power to choose evil? If so, what is the difference between that and saying that man creates evil each time he refuses to do good?
Me: I do not believe evil comes from God (maybe in the overall, as God created everything including angels and humans and all of His creations) but our/angels choices created the evil to exist because of our choice. God only administers the result of that choice which is a choice to disobey Him. That is free will - we must have free will or it is a dictatorship. God is not a dictator. God is Love and Love does not dicate or hold against our desires. He walks with us even when we walk away.
Another thought - If evil came from God that would mean that He also did not give a way out of evil - he predestined our loss. We would have no way of being good because good would not be in us.
That could not happen under God - He is fair and Just and He would not let us be lost just for the sake of being lost. I know some religions that believe that - but not in Christianity. Not in me. Don't you agree?
If our Master suffered, then why would we (his servants) think we would get excluded from suffering?
My response:
See, I should never read thought provoking blogs! lol, Once my mind starts going it won't stop until all has been researched or my heart's desire is content. Jesus voluntarily offered up his life, he "bore our sins in his own body upon the cross, in order that we might be done with sins and live to righteousness." (1 Peter 2;24) Does this mean that Jesus' death opened the way for all mankind to regain the perfection that Adam had lost? If, so this taken place some 2,000 years ago, why do evil and death still exist?
You said:
The Spirit works through the words but the words are not alone the Spirit! Do you understand the difference?
My response:
Those who embrace God's word display such qualities as "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindess, goodness, faith, mildness, sefl-control, " despite all the evil that surrounds them. Would this be "God's spirit" talking to us, or an example of Godlike qualities for all Christians to follow? The spirit being the force which leads us to take the initiative to do good? I don't quite understand. Is the knowledge the source which leads people to life, Christian life?
You said:
For years, I knew the Bible cover-to-cover but had no personal relationship with the author! Do you know this difference?
My Response:
I've read the Bible cover-to-cover because I'm an avid reader, yet the information was not as vital to me, as the message appeared to be, I felt left out, somehow. You speak of a relationship with the author, being God himself, that's the part I don't quite grasp. I want that relationship, yet I don't feel or see it. Perhaps I'm not a chosen one? How do I acquire godly wisdom?
You asked:
Do you understand these things?
My Response:
I am trying to understand, and needing to do more research on this topic, you said we must beware, "Satan is real threat. He has power to destroy us and our loved ones, if we listen to him." I don't see how humans have the capacity to conquer the ultimate sponsor of evil. He has perpetrated so much evil through out history! Satan and his supporters have done much to destroy anything good, how can us..... being mere humans nullify or take our stand against such forces of evil?
Forgive me for such blunt questions, I am not trying to be difficult, I'm seriously interested in finding answers.
Wow you have the knowledge, some more than most. But here is the deal - Knowledge and more knowledge won't save you. See even the Devil (Satan) has knowledge that God and Christ exists, but He won't be saved. He won't be in Heaven. Do you understand?
Knowledge is good and we need it so that when Satan tries to slip in a falsehood we won't be fooled. But - our "faith" and that is the beginning of a relationship with Christ is brought about by "taking that step of faith" and surrendering ourselves to God's wishes. By saying I don't understand but I have faith that you are The Son of God, "Jesus" and that I put my eternal soul in your hands and I will do it your way not my way. I have tried it my way and I don't understand and I want to understand your ways. Then...
You must repent of your sins. That doesn't mean confessing everything you have done (because who could -we don't even know all we have done) but it does mean that you are repentant that you have sinned against God's wishes and want to do better.
First - You accept God and His Son Jesus as your savior and surrender (called submitting your faith to Him)
Second - Your repent (as I explained above)
third - You accept God's free gift of eternal life - not by what you have done - but because He love you and you have put your faith and trust in Him. Eph 2:8-9
That is how your are saved - you tranfer your faith from yourself, or anything else to Jesus. It just takes a little pray nothing fancy - just from your heart. After that is done there are other steps - but you will let Theo or a Pastor from a church or the Lord lead you as your eyes begin to open and your relationship with God develops.
Do you understand? Take a leap of faith - God loves you - just do it.
Please in my advice, if I left anything out - Please add to this. Your probably much better at this than I - but I just didn't want to wait.
You asked, “Does this mean that Jesus' death opened the way for all mankind to regain the perfection that Adam had lost? If so…why do evil and death still exist?”
The difference between Adam's sin and God's gift is that Adam’s one sin led to punishment, but God's gift made it possible for us to be acceptable to him. God is kind. He accepted us because of what Jesus did. And we will live and rule like kings.
First, we must live here in enemy territory. But, we are not alone. And, those who belong to Christ, are in Christ. In Him, we are free from the penalty and power of sin. In Him, we have life and defeat death. In Christ, we have the victory over death and evil. Christ’s Kingdom is spiritual, not physical. Satan owns this place. God permits it, for a time. His time is coming. God will deal with him and sin in one fatal blow. Of that, we have no doubt. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
You said, “Those who embrace God's word display such qualities as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindess, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control, despite all the evil that surrounds them. Would this be God's spirit talking to us, or an example of Godlike qualities for all Christians to follow? The spirit being the force which leads us to take the initiative to do good? I don't quite understand. Is the knowledge the source which leads people to life, Christian life?
Without your spirit, your body can do nothing. Your body is animated by your spirit. When your spirit is removed, your flesh is dead! It is the same way in Christ, except spiritual. When God's Spirit is allowed to rule in our hearts and lives, it is not us who are speaking and acting, it is God.
There is no doubt that knowledge plays a part. But this knowledge is not acquired from the world. Nor can the world give it. It comes from one place, the Father above. This knowledge is imparted by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.” He said this in the middle of a discussion concerning the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is God’s power that enables to overcome, but is not us. It is God in us. We must listen close and obey him. For only those who are led by the Spirit are sons and daughters of God. We listens and he puts on the fruit. It is not us. It is not our “qualities”. We produce no fruit. God puts on the fruit wherever he is present within. Our main objective is to stay subjected to him.
You said, “You speak of a relationship with the author, being God himself, that's the part I don't quite grasp. I want that relationship, yet I don't feel or see it. Perhaps I'm not a chosen one? How do I acquire godly wisdom?”
Godly wisdom comes one way. You must ask God for it through sincere prayer. One must ask with the correct motive. God gives it liberally to those who are his children.
A relationship with God is not based in subjective feelings. Feelings come and go. Faith is based in God-given knowledge. This is a gift to those who love him and accept his Son. No one comes to God unless he calls him. One must come through the door. That door is Jesus the Christ.
When Peter made the great confession, Jesus replied, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father which is in heaven.”
If you do not have it, God has not given it to you. Since he desires all to be saved, and since he gives it out liberallly to all who have the right heart and motive, maybe these are what you should examine. God looks at the inside. Man looks at the outside. When Jesus comes inside, and resides as Lord and Savior, fruit is produced supernaturally. It’s that simple.
You can “fake until you make it” all day long but until God puts on the fruit, it is from human effort and worldly wisdom, nothing else. It will not last. It will crumble when real temptation and testing comes.
You said, “…I don't see how humans have the capacity to conquer the ultimate sponsor of evil. He has perpetrated so much evil through out history! Satan and his supporters have done much to destroy anything good, how can us..... being mere humans nullify or take our stand against such forces of evil?”
We cannot! Only God in us can defeat sin and Satan. We have no power apart from him.
Do not apologize for blunt questions. They are acceptable here as long as they are asked in sincerity. The answers that you seek will not be found until you find God, personally and individually. He is not far from any of us. His desires that pursue him diligently. Once discovered, he gives out gifts to his children. He desires that you seek him above all else.
He loves you dearly.
You are so precious. You bring me so much joy! You don't have to wait for me. Just share your heart. You have the heart of God. You have equal access to the Spirit as anyone else. Keep letting him speak through you. I always enjoy what you have to say. It is sincere and honest. I love both! So does God! Preach on!
Thank you so much for the compliments. I love the Lord so much that I get excited when I talk about Him and His wonderous gifts of Love.
There is a song "Better One Day in Your House," than a Thousand Elsewhere - and that is exactly how I feel. Just One day with You Lord is worth everything Satan throws at me. Just one day is worth it all.