Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!whuxlb!pyuxll!eisx!npoiv!npois!hogpc!houxm!hocda!spanky!burl!sb1!sb6!emory!msdc!itm!bob From: bob@itm.UUCP Newsgroups: net.philosophy Subject: Re: What evil is Message-ID: <1023@itm.UUCP> Date: Wed, 13-Jul-83 20:44:41 EDT Article-I.D.: itm.1023 Posted: Wed Jul 13 20:44:41 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 15-Jul-83 12:16:34 EDT Lines: 140 To: Randy and et al, Concerning: Satan Randy states: "Just as there is no evil without good, so there cannot be good without evil( no rose with no thorns.)" Randy, I would like to add that in the beginning there was good without evil. Then Satan(adversary) fell and rebelled against God, taking along a third of the angels in heaven. You see God gave all His creatures a freedom of choice. Satan has the following: 1.He possesses Intellect 2 Cor 11:3 Here The apostle Paul shows that Satan had the ability to deceive. Which requires intelligence. "But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." 2 He has emotions Rev 12:17 Satan is show as being filled with rage. which is a human emotion. "And the dragon(another name for Satan) was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." 3.He has a will 2 Tim 2:26 "and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." 4.He is treated as a Morally Responsible Person Lake of fire was created for Satan and his angels because God holds them accountable for their actions. God can not and will not allow evil to go on. "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels." Randy also states thus: "Remember, God didn't create Satan (nor Allah America); Satan is merely the other side of God." --Randy rh@mit-eddie Let me show you why I believe that is in total error. THE NATURE OF SATAN: A.His character: 1.He is a creature. Eze 28:14 (in reference to Satan)"You were the anointed cherub who covers(guards), and I(GOD)placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire." B.He is a spirit being Eph. 6:11,12 "Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places." This is a charge the Apostle Paul gave to the Ephesian Church. C.He is of the order of angels called cherubim. Eze. 28:14 (verse quoted above) HIS PERSONALITY TRAITS: A.He is a murder John 8:44 (Jesus speaks to the unbelieving Jews) "You are of you father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murder from the beginning and dose not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; For he is a liar, and the father of lies." B. He is a liar John 8:44(see above verse) C.He is a confirmed sinner 1 John 3:8 "the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil." D.He is an accuser Rev 12:10 "And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, `Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.'" Satan accuses three ways; One he accuses us before God Two he accuses us before each other Three he accuses us to ourselves. This is for both believers and unbelievers. Plus he does accuse God to us. Saying If God really Loves you why did such and such happen? E.He is an adversary 1 Pet 5:8 "Be of sober(serious) spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour(destroy)." HIS LIMITATIONS: A.He is a creature and therefore not omniscient or infinite. B.He can be resisted by the Christian. James 4:7 "Submit therefore to God. Resis the devil and he will flee from you. C.God places limitations on him Job 1:12 "Then the Lord said to Satan, `Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.' So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord." Before Satan can test God's children, he has to recieve permission from God. God allows the testing because it strengthens our faith in Him(God). God will not allow anything more than what each one of us could stand. Satan is powerful but God is all powerful. Satan could do nothing except God allow it. No man can do anything except God allow it. Randy, I wrote this from a christian perspective. I know you and others are not christian. The word of God(the bible) is the christians authority. I pray that you will receive it as such, and at least give consideration to what I have written and not just up and reject it. So from the christian aspect Satan is not another side of God but a spiritually fallen creature. Bob Langdon itm!-Alanta Ga msdc!itm!bob itm = In Touch Ministries