> General Discussions
Evil Spirits
gk@rivervalley:
Hi Dave, I appreciate the correction, it's a small thing but no impact as 'depraved' can be defined as 'morally corrupt', and morally corrupt we are. I'm sure we could argue that for a time but there would be no point as we would find ourselves, at the end, agreeing that 'weakness', first or whenever, leads to actions that show as morally depraved, corrupt, 'weak', what have you. A small nugget but nonetheless useless in any argument, which we have none. And I'm way past the point of believing the 'demon' that a creator would use eternal torture for his creation regardless of how 'bad' we are. Thanks for the definition of demon, and your check box example is good. That helps. Appreciate you sharing.
"An evil Spirit is unseen... I believe its main function is to oppose or exult itself above God by manipulating our thoughts or our understanding (they dwell/operate in high places)heavenly places.To me that represents our understanding impacting our minds or thoughts .They are false spirits and they are liers.."-----Ian
"manipulating our thoughts"....."impacting our minds or thoughts"
Ian, that's about as centered as it can get. For me anyway. Thank you.
While I can't admit to 'seeing things' (and I hope I never do), I am in constant argument with myself, and for some time now, as to why at one point in life I was ravishing in the 'solidness' of my belief in God/Christ and scripture, only now to find myself doubting EVERYTHING. I don't want to get centered on me, (not the reason for the post) but the doubting is undeniably strong and gets stronger every single day and I wonder where this could be coming from. I've known nothing like it. It's relentless, tiring, and (whoever/whatever it is)...is devouring every strand of 'belief' and I wonder 'where is my God who does not abandon..??, (or at least I always believed he wouldn't.)
So back to my post, is it possible that 'evil spirit's are indeed 'roaming the earth' looking for any weakness to devour, and if they "do not have free will any more that we do"---Rick...then why would this creator need to 'send forth' in such a manner? If that is 'truth' then the conquering is a silly point as 'we all' have no ability to fight those battles. We are not, and will not be 'warriors' in an un-seen battle where we have not the armor to defend ourselves in the fight. If there are 'evil spirit's that wage these battles (in the human mind) they know we are armor-less. They must laugh at our attempts to fight by 're-call' of scripture verses. Where is the truth?...where is our 'defense' mechanism and how do we, as mere 'weak' humans, trigger our defense to gain a foot-hold in what seems a losing battle in the front?
Kat:
--- Quote from: gk@rivervalley on June 07, 2015, 08:43:32 AM ---
While I can't admit to 'seeing things' (and I hope I never do), I am in constant argument with myself, and for some time now, as to why at one point in life I was ravishing in the 'solidness' of my belief in God/Christ and scripture, only now to find myself doubting EVERYTHING. I don't want to get centered on me, (not the reason for the post) but the doubting is undeniably strong and gets stronger every single day and I wonder where this could be coming from. I've known nothing like it. It's relentless, tiring, and (whoever/whatever it is)...is devouring every strand of 'belief' and I wonder 'where is my God who does not abandon..??, (or at least I always believed he wouldn't.)
So back to my post, is it possible that 'evil spirit's are indeed 'roaming the earth' looking for any weakness to devour, and if they "do not have free will any more that we do"---Rick...then why would this creator need to 'send forth' in such a manner? If that is 'truth' then the conquering is a silly point as 'we all' have no ability to fight those battles. We are not, and will not be 'warriors' in an un-seen battle where we have not the armor to defend ourselves in the fight. If there are 'evil spirit's that wage these battles (in the human mind) they know we are armor-less. They must laugh at our attempts to fight by 're-call' of scripture verses. Where is the truth?...where is our 'defense' mechanism and how do we, as mere 'weak' humans, trigger our defense to gain a foot-hold in what seems a losing battle in the front?
--- End quote ---
Hi gk, I believe that it is very important, even critical to our faith, to have some way to feel secure in truth, for me it is the Scripture. I totally believe that God inspired the Apostles in their writings and what is now our NT. Now I also recognize that translations have corrupted that to a degree, so God sent Ray Smith and now I have confidence in studying, that I can overcome the error and see the absolute truth that were in the original writings.
So I rely heavily on God's Word to teach me and I firmly believe God uses it to reveal everything that He desires for us to know concerning His truth and that in turn gives us confidence and assurance. Yes there are unseen forces/powers that we war against in this world...
Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
But God has given us a sure defense that will not fail us.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
v. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
v. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
v. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
v. 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
v. 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
v. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
v. 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
All of this is revealed in God Word (the 'Bread' of life) if we study and believe what it says. Of course praying is our way of showing we seek contact with God, by taking that time and making the effect to talk to Him... He wants us to show we desire Him!
John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
v. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
v. 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
lilitalienboi16:
I will add to what Kat posted about our warfare. Scripture is very powerful and not to be under estimated. The Word of God made flesh is Jesus and demons tremble at His very name.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Matthew 8:28 When He [Jesus] had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
God is our defender and protector from all forces in this world be they of men or other dominions. There is no power other than God.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
2Ki 6:15-17 "And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and hesaw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Lastly, we are more than conquorers in all things through Christ Jesus. We are certainly not defenseless for if God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31-37
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
You asked, "why would the creator need to send forth in this way?" It's all part of God's plan. He calls it a strange plan and tells us not to lean on our own understanding. The pot is marred in the hands of the potter the first time it is made so he makes it again a second time. We are being made again a second time. Conceived by the seed of God from on high so that we can be birthed spiritually into the kingdom of God. God's ways are perfect and He is perfect. You have to trust in Him.
Isaiah 28:21 For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon— That He may do His work, His awesome work, And bring to pass His act, His strange act.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
2 Samuel 22:31As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him
Psalm 18:30As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
God bless,
Alex
lilitalienboi16:
2 Timothy 3:12-17 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Gina:
--- Quote ---I am in constant argument with myself, and for some time now, as to why at one point in life I was ravishing in the 'solidness' of my belief in God/Christ and scripture, only now to find myself doubting EVERYTHING. I don't want to get centered on me, (not the reason for the post) but the doubting is undeniably strong and gets stronger every single day and I wonder where this could be coming from. I've known nothing like it. It's relentless, tiring, and (whoever/whatever it is)...is devouring every strand of 'belief' and I wonder 'where is my God who does not abandon..??, (or at least I always believed he wouldn't.)
--- End quote ---
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting;
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
You asked, where is the doubt coming from? It's coming from you, gk. Nothing out there can make you doubt.
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You have a choice.
When Thomas was doubting, Jesus didn't look for the one outside of Thomas as the cause for Thomas' doubt.
John 20:25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing."
28 Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."
1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
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