Fallen host

I personally think the "little guy on the shoulder"is normally "self" and the guy on the other shoulder is "Spirit."

I don't think that precludes Satan from EVER having an affect on us.

 

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:
14 but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

 

As Satan is not omni-present I wouldn't blame everything on him. I do believe that his followers can influence people to a certain degree.
I have heard testimonies from people who have been involved in satanic rituals, one in particular is remembered because the boy had attended the same church I did at the time. He decided to leave and began to study witchcraft. One night he and his friends held a seance or whatever it is they do, where they spoke with demons and he begged them to let him see what they saw. They said he couldn't handle it, but he continued and finally his wish was granted for a split second.
He never did say what he saw, but they took him away to a mental institute that night because it drove him insane for a while. It also drove him straight back into Christianity, and he said what he saw in that brief moment was enough to make him do anything possible to avoid ever seeing it again.
So...although not solely based on that as it was only an example, I do believe that both good and evil unseen presences exist all around us and do influence us to some degree.
Gina

 

I think since Satan tempted Jesus, Satan or demons could tempt us as well, but beleivers have the ability to resist temptation. I also think we are tempted by our own desires and weaknesses, of course. It is a combination of world, flesh and devil. 1 Pet 5:8 also says that Satan prowls about seeking someone to devour, but we are told to be alert and sober to prevent his gaining any ground this way.

When people are involved in occult activities especially, they are particularly opening themselves up to activity by demons (this can happen in other areas like false religions, I am not limiting it to the occult). The occult arts were part of the worship and consultation of false gods (Deut 18.10-12; Is 8.19; & many other passages) so this is not surprising. Having been involved in some of these areas, I am even more convinced of it.

But I also think it is unhealthy to focus on Satan or demons. God only gives us a little information on what Satan and demons do, so I think it's problematic to speculate too much beyond that. Some people go so far as to claim to have names for demons, get into the specifics of what they believe are territorial demons, and believe that believers can be controlled by demons. I think all that is unbiblical.

 

Notice who appears to have control of those who are not saved?

Who is titled the "god of this world" and what does he do?

If we do not think he exists - then who is it we "resist"? - Who prowls and seeks to destroy us?

Soldier of Christ -- how can you not know your enemy?

I don't know that these are "unhealthy texts" so much as they point us to our great need of Christ.

In Christ,

Bob

[ June 21, 2004, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: BobRyan ]

 

And lest I forget ---

The 1000 years are real.

The devil is real.

The war in heaven was real.

And he was really cast out of heaven.

And he really does wage war against the saints.

In Christ,

Bob

 

The point that has been made about Satan (and demons - which are fallen angels) is not omipresent is correct. But since the fallen angels (called demons) act under his direction, the Bible attributes the action of the entire group to its leader.

Christ tells Peter "Satan has desired to sift you like wheat". The point is not changed whether it is Satan himself or one of his fallen angels (demons).

Peter then tells US that OUR adversary the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. James says "resist the devil and he will flee from you" -- nobody in scripture argues "Satan and his angels are off doing nothing".

In Christ,

Bob

 

I don't think anyone would say that Satan and his demons never affect Christians, but I think we give them more "credit" than they are due.

I still think that most of the time, my biggest enemy is my flesh.

 

The fact that we have a great emeny prowling the earth - with all his army of fallen angels here to destroy mankind - does not mean that our totally depraved sinful nature is not "also a problem". I agree with that.

But we do have "the New Birth" - a new creation in which old things are passed away and all things have become new. 2Cor 5

We do have the indwelling Holy Spirit and by that Holy Spirit (Romans 8) we put to death the deeds of the flesh daily.

Though Peter had many flaws it is interesting that Christ said to him just before he betrayed Christ "Satan has desired to sift you like wheat but I have prayed that your faith fail not" - the war was engaged and Christ was not willing to blame it all on Peter's own faults.

In Christ,

Bob

 

Satan is alive and well on planet Earth. That is about the only statement that Hal Lindsey and I could agree on! While I don't believe that it is possible for any Christian to be demon-possessed, it is likely that demonic oppression, of some kind, is the experience of most Christians, especially those committed to holiness. When I pray the Lord's prayer, I pray first "lead me not into temptation," which I believe addresses my own carnal nature (which is also alive and regretfully still doing well on planet earth). I then pray, "deliver (me) from evil," which addresses demonic oppression. As a pastor, I KNOW that they Enemy directs a lot of his time, his talent and his attacks ON clergy...if he can destroy us, he can cause great harm to the Body of Christ. So I would encourage you to PRAY for your Pastor's protection. We are in a real war, and there is a real enemy. Thank God (literally) we are not alone.