willing_servant

Hi there,

I know that many of us christians have a fright of the devil. It doesn't seem so prevalent anymore as in the medieval times, but it's there. I certainly know that fear myself.

But I was thinking today, ok the devil tried to overthrow God. And God cast him down. Now let's think about it. God is almighty, we all know that.

The thing is, if the devil didn't get it that God is almighty, what a stupid guy is he? Why should someone fear him? The devil has nothing. He's blind and ridiculous. He never posed a problem for God.

The only problem, for us humans, which is no real problem really, is that the devil is our enemy. That is no problem? No, it isn't because this enmity is good and refreshing for us. It allows us to resist the snake. It must always come crawling on its belly, that's how we recognize the devil, he comes with the dirt, the profane, all the crappy stuff. He is easy to resist, just despise him.

Thanks be to Jesus for limiting the devils power. He has already thrown him out and now the devil is simply some ugly puppet who tries to confuse you. Don't think about him and you'll be fine, and whenever he comes by just laugh about it and move on.

NearertoGod

I really don't know (or think, whichever) that it was him trying to overthrow God.

Whatever happened, happened. I really can't understand how anyone can be terrified; of course some of things that happen to scare us. I've had those scary moments but I got over it at some point.

I think what happened in Heaven is left between God and the devil. I think if we knew, we'd probably be a lot more surprised, or just really confused.

I would say something else, but I don't want people to call me any names.

__________________
****IN LOVING MEMORY****
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You will never be forgotten
Rest In Peace, Happy. You were more than just a dog, a pet, you were a best friend.
I LOVE YOU

Ginger

I do not fear satan. He has no more power over Christians then what we give him. We, Christians, have power over him. He is the one who should be afraid!

Rom 8:31¶What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

SweetSurrender

I'm not sure. I know I fear God and what will happen if/when I get out of His Word and back into the world. Then the devil could deceive me, trip me up and he is a clever lier when you don't have your armour on. If you believe his lies when he attacks your self esteem, or hits you with a temptation he knows is your weakness, then you'd better be afraid of him because you are out of God's will.

I don't know if God can protect you then if you are not into His Word and have not been in communication with Him in awhile. It's happened to me since I've been a Christian and it was harder to cry out to Him because the devil put someone right in my face and I could have fallen, but I cried out "Jesus, help me!" and ran in the opposite direction. Was I just lucky? I don't think so. I think Jesus just wanted me to call to Him and I intend to stick my nose in the Word now so I can renew my mind and feel God's presence.

__________________
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument."

Boanerges

The Word says to fear God:
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
We are God's children and as we press into His presence we know peace and rest. God is love and perfect love casts out all fear.

satan was indeed foolish to think he could sit on the throne of the most high but even then we are not to disrespect him:
Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.


We are told that we have authority over the powers of darkness in the Name of Jesus but that is kind of like a loaded gun- it is only effective if used properly. We move only at the Spirit's lead- Like Jesus we move only at the Father's biding in the power of the Spirit.

__________________
Because the Lord Jesus died on the Cross, I have received forgiveness of sins; because the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, I have received new life; because the Lord Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of the Father, I have received the outpoured Spirit. All is because of Him; nothing is because of me."
Watchman Nee

Ginger

Sweet and Bo,

Very good posts!

We must always be focused on God. When we "take time off" from our fath or go chasing after earthly desires we step out from under God's protection and become volnerable.

I do not play games with demons. As Bo suggested, it is dangerous. But I am not afraid. I continually appeal to God to keep me safe, not only from outside forces, but from my own weaknesses and ignorances that could easily lead me astray.

Ginger

Jon-Marc

Satan can do nothing to us that God does not allow him to do. The thing is that He might allow the devil to do quite a bit to us--as he did to Job. Still, we have absolutely NO reason to fear the devil. If we are born again, we are safe in God's arms for eternity. If we are faithful to Him regardless of our trials, we will come through with our faith increased and with God's blessings. God gave Job twice everything he had before the trial he suffered.

Satan will try to deceive us, but we are on the winning side. Satan has already lost.

Atonement

I agree with the post here and the verses quoted. But we as Christians must keep ourself guarded and protected in God's Armour every day. Every day we are tempted and we can never underestimate the power that Satan has. He is very cleaver and wise and can deceive the very elect if possible.

Jesus mentions this in the book of Matthew:

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Who am I

__________________
Blessings to all

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jax

I actually dont think that satan has any control or power over Christians other than what we allow him.
It isnt God, God has done all that is neccesary for us to be set free from sin and the devil.
He may allow certain situatuions if we are in sin or something,
but really that is still our sin, not because God wants to use the devil to discipline us.
He is God , one Word from Him, and we would be as dust,
He doesnt need the devil to do His work.
The Bible says it is His workmanship.

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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that 'WHOSOEVER' believes, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.