Fearing Man More Than The Devil...

[LOSTONE]

This is a subject matter a friend brought up to me last night over dinner. I have some great and wonderful friends with in the faith that like to bring up difficult subjects. They aren’t afraid to or worry about being hated for it. Over dinner last night with a few friends, one brought up the thought that man is more of a threat to man is than the devil. This was just a thought based on examples and was not an argument seeking factual foundation.

They gave examples like the creation of the ‘Web’ by man and all the issues and problems it has caused. Like the evolving media ( TV ) as it becomes more morally corrupts and idiotic. Politics and politicians which is self explanatory of the evil in those. Retailers creation and over use of ‘Black Friday’ early scheduling and customers insane grab it reactions. Other issues where used as an example of what might be a bases for the thought of man being more of a threat than the devil, but all seem to had some valid creditability in facts that makes one stop and think about this thought.

Is man more of a threat to man ( people more of a threat to people ) than the devil in our current age?

*** Any to avoid any incorrect thoughts. My friends and I were not drinking or under any medications. We aren’t that way. We just get into some deep conversations and don’t fear talking about difficult subjects.

[Tacenda]

This is a subject matter a friend brought up to me last night over dinner. I have some great and wonderful friends with in the faith that like to bring up difficult subjects. They aren’t afraid to or worry about being hated for it. Over dinner last night with a few friends, one brought up the thought that man is more of a threat to man is than the devil. This was just a thought based on examples and was not an argument seeking factual foundation.

They gave examples like the creation of the ‘Web’ by man and all the issues and problems it has caused. Like the evolving media ( TV ) as it becomes more morally corrupts and idiotic. Politics and politicians which is self explanatory of the evil in those. Retailers creation and over use of ‘Black Friday’ early scheduling and customers insane grab it reactions. Other issues where used as an example of what might be a bases for the thought of man being more of a threat than the devil, but all seem to had some valid creditability in facts that makes one stop and think about this thought.

Is man more of a threat to man ( people more of a threat to people ) than the devil in our current age?

*** Any to avoid any incorrect thoughts. My friends and I were not drinking or under any medications. We aren’t that way. We just get into some deep conversations and don’t fear talking about difficult subjects.

I think the devil is probably made up to keep people in the faith.  I think it definitely should be blamed on ourselves, not "the devil made me do it" mentality.  It's like a crutch for bad behavior.  I guess I'm bad for not really believing in it so much.  Just like now some are saying the Garden of Eden is more a parable with signs and symbols and possibly not literal, or that maybe the flood didn't cover the earth, I believe Satan and the wayward angels aren't there.  I think it's in people's minds.  I remember early in my FC, I'd be reading Staylds.com or NOM and feel this dark feeling!  Or when watching a program that also seemed anti Mormon, like Mormon Matters or Polygamy What Love is This, and feel a dark feeling.  Now I don't feel this at all.  It was all in my mind, and my own making.   Or maybe I'm full of the devil.

[Bobbieaware]

I think the devil is probably made up to keep people in the faith.  I think it definitely should be blamed on ourselves, not "the devil made me do it" mentality.  It's like a crutch for bad behavior.  I guess I'm bad for not really believing in it so much.  Just like now some are saying the Garden of Eden is more a parable with signs and symbols and possibly not literal, or that maybe the flood didn't cover the earth, I believe Satan and the wayward angels aren't there.  I think it's in people's minds.  I remember early in my FC, I'd be reading Staylds.com or NOM and feel this dark feeling!  Or when watching a program that's also seemed anti Mormon, like Mormon Matters or Polygamy What Love is This, and feel a dark feeling.  Now I don't feel this at all.  It was all in my mind, and my own making.   Or maybe I'm full of the devil.

Do you believe men can become become sons of perdition, entering a kingdom of no glory after the resurrection?

[Tacenda]

Do you believe men can become become sons of perdition, entering a kingdom of no glory after the resurrection?

Yes, I believe men become sons of perdition all the time, when they try to be Gods or more than God.  And they probably aren't getting a kingdom with glory in it. 

 

As per Google:

 

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).   

Edited October 18, 2014 by Tacenda

[Garden Girl]

Yes, I believe men become sons of perdition all the time, when they try to be Gods or more than God.  And they probably aren't getting a kingdom with glory in it. 

 

As per Google:

 

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).   

 

Hello Tacenda...

 

I don't know of any of our teachings that put us above God...   I'll just paraphrase, but we're all familiar with the scriptures that tell us that when we overcome the world and follow Christ, even as He overcame the world, He will grant us to sit with him in his throne even as he is set with his Father in his throne (see Rev 2, and Rev 3:12 and 21).

 

GG

[Tacenda]

I like this: POWER OVER SATAN

http://www.gloryofhiscross.org/pro6.htm

One verse that we should never forget in our whole life is

Hebrews 2:14,15 “Since then the children have partaken of

flesh and blood, He (Jesus) Himself likewise shared in the

same that through death (His death on  Calvary’s cross)

He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is

the devil, and release those who through fear of death

were all their lifetime subject to  bondage”  When Jesus

died, He made the devil powerless so that we might be

forever free of Satan and the bondage of fear that he had

put on us throughout out lifetime.  There are many types

of fears that people in the world have – fear of sickness,

fear of poverty, fear of failure, fear of people, fear of future

etc.  The greatest of all fears however is the fear of death.

Every other fear is inferior to the fear of death.  The fear of

death leads on to the fear of what will happen after death.

The Bible teaches very clearly that those who live in sin

will finally go to hell – the place that God has reserved for

those who do not repent.  The devil also will spend

eternity in the lake of fire along with those whom he

deceived and led into sin on this earth.  Jesus came to

this earth to save us from that eternal hell by taking the

punishment for our sins.  He also destroyed Satan’s power

over us so that he can never harm us again.

 

God will always be on our side against Satan. This is a

glorious truth which brings much encouragement, comfort

and victory to us.  The Bible says “submit to God.  Resist

the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  At the

name of Jesus, Satan will always flee.  The picture that

most Christians have in their minds is one of Satan

chasing them and of their running for their lives from him.

But that is exactly the opposite of what the Bible teaches.

Satan was scared to stand before our Saviour. Jesus is

the Light of the world and the prince of darkness had to

disappear from before Him.  Satan is also afraid of

everyone who uses the name of Jesus with divine authority

against him.  Jesus told his disciples about how he had

seen the fall of Satan in heaven.   And there, Jesus said

that Satan’s fall had been “like lightning” when God cast

him out. (Luke 10:18)  When Jesus told Satan in the

wilderness “Be gone Satan”, he disappeared from Jesus’

presence too at the speed of lightning.  And when we

resist Satan in the name of Jesus today, he will flee from

before us too at the speed of light.  The darkness flees

before the light.  Satan is afraid of the name of Jesus.  He

hates to be reminded of the fact that Jesus is Lord and

that he was defeated by the Lord Jesus.    Whenever you

are in a difficulty or face some insurmountable problem or

you face something for which there appears to be no

human answer, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

Say to Him “Lord Jesus, you are on my side against the

devil.  Help me now”  And then turn to Satan and tell  him

“In the name of Jesus I resist you Satan” Satan will flee

from you immediately, because Jesus defeated him on

the cross.  Satan is powerless  when you walk in the

light of God and resist him in Jesus’ Name.

 

Satan was defeated once and for all by the Lord Jesus

Christ on the cross.  You need never again be afraid of

Satan.  He cannot trouble you.  He cannot harm you.  He

may tempt you. He may attack you.  But the grace of

God in Christ will always make you victorious over him, if

you humble yourself, submit to God and walk in His light

at all times.  There is tremendous power in the light.

Satan, the prince of darkness, can never enter the realm

of light.  Satan has power over many believers because

they  are walking in darkness, living in some secret sin,

not forgiving others, jealous of someone, or pursuing some

selfish ambition in their lives etc.

 

You will have no power over Satan if you don’t walk in

purity.  And you will never have power over Satan if you

have not learnt to overcome his accusations by the blood

of Christ.  You will  have no power over Satan if  you love

the world – for Satan is the prince and ruler of this world.

If

love God, you will not be able to over power Satan (Rev

12:11).

 

Love the Lord Jesus Christ and His will for your life with all

your heart  with all your mind and with all your strength.

Never allow the devil to pollute your minds in any way.

Give your life to Christ completely and determine to live

totally for Him henceforth.you love anything or anyone on this earth more than you

 

Edited October 18, 2014 by Tacenda

[LOSTONE]

Wow! What a great set of replies I am reading on this post. Thank you all. The insightful wisdom of different views gives me more to think about this subject. It is replies like these that I seek when I post so I may discover more and learn. Thanks and I look forward to reading more.

[WysteriaBlue]

I just don't consider things or inventions "evil"....the TV, internet, phones, nuclear fission, scientific discoveries all have good aspects and can also be used for ill.  We have access to the Bible, the BBC news, latest information, good information and disinformation, inspirational materials and how to manuals on creating bombs.  It depends on our own wisdom and use of technology as to how they can be viewed.

 

A gun is just a piece of metal until a man aims it and pulls the trigger in malice.

 

I do believe that Satan and his spirits exist on Earth and did not hear that he was eliminated by Jesus nor would be until he is unleashed and defeated after the Millineum...

I believe Natural Man or the natural tendencies towards man towards sloth, greed, lust, rage, jealousy, bigotry, grandiosity, ego, etc are real and cause divisions, strife, false prophecies, war, murder, rape, discord and the victimization of the poor....also assisted and inspired by evil spirits and lack of faith, balance, common sense, wisdom and relationships. 

 

We have to constantly strive for wisdom and balance and the abilitiy to make good decisions how to best use "things" for good and not evil.  Free agency comes with responsibilities and consequesnces.

[DarkScythe]

there is a difference in equality with God and believing in becoming Greater than God. That is the sin of Satan, believing him greater/desiring to become greater than God.

[Silhouette]

I believe Satan is a very real entity who influences people to do evil and to use inventions and things towards an evil end. He is behind every evil thing. Yes, humans are given free agency, but Satan is the one who influences people to use their agency wrongly.

Addressing the OP's original question, I believe that the evils of man and the evils of Satan are one and the same. He is the father of all lies, and directly influences the evils that humans do to one another.

Edited October 19, 2014 by Silhouette

[Doctor Steuss]

Is man more of a threat to man ( people more of a threat to people ) than the devil in our current age?

 

If Satan is real, he's a dolt.