For Curiosity's Sake

[JoeC]

Two questions:


ONE: Is Satan directly responsible for tempting you?


It seems that Christians give Satan too much credit by ascribing every temptation to him. It's my opinion that many times it's simply our old stinky flesh that's pulling us down - Satan not even having to lift a finger. Granted, there's plenty of other times where the forces of evil are responsible, but is Satan even the one tempting a Christian the majority of the time?

God didn't talk to Mary directly, he sent an angel. Likewise, it would seem to follow that Satan doesn't usually tempt directly - choosing rather to send a demon.


TWO: Is Satan Omnipresent?

We know that Satan is neither omnipotent nor omniscient, but many Christians seem quick to see Satan himself practically everywhere. Can he really be in so many places at once?

[joris]

TWO: Is Satan Omnipresent?

We know that Satan is neither omnipotent nor omniscient, but many Christians seem quick to see Satan himself practically everywhere. Can he really be in so many places at once?no but he has some awful lot of helpers...

[HotShot53]

I would agree with Joris... Satan just has an awful lot of helpers, and anything any of them does, everyone just attributes to Satan (since he is their leader, after all...)

[jtucker]

1: not always
2: no because he isn't ominiscient, but as it has been said he does have control of the principalities of hell demons included!

[NeedGod]

i agree with Joris.
i also wondered about the whole sin thing. whether satan was reponsible. i mean, what about the fact that we dont sinas Christians and therefore we cant. isnt it his fault then when we make mistakes?

[BroTrevor]

I just had an observation... and I'm really tired..so I hope it makes sense.

However.... Bro Branham paraphrases the Bible as saying "we are borned in sin, shaped in iniquity, come into the world speaking lies"

SO, really we are born of a sinful nature, and left to our own devices even without the devils help, it would seem to me we would be most disagreeable liars and people who don't do what is right, even when we know what is right.

So, while I'm sure many other arguments could be made, from my way of thinking....the answer to 1 is NO satan is not always directly responsible...however he is responsible for the fall of man, thus making it so we are born in sin, so you could say he is directly responsible that way.

[joris]

So, while I'm sure many other arguments could be made, from my way of thinking....the answer to 1 is NO satan is not always directly responsible...however he is responsible for the fall of man, thus making it so we are born in sin, so you could say he is directly responsible that way.uhm that sounds very indirect :confused:

[Angelo]

So, while I'm sure many other arguments could be made, from my way of thinking....the answer to 1 is NO satan is not always directly responsible...however he is responsible for the fall of man, thus making it so we are born in sin, so you could say he is directly responsible that way.
I think Bro Trevor is implying that Satan is directly responsible in the sense that he is the author and mother of sin: the tree where all the bad fruits came from.

[joris]

I think Bro Trevor is implying that Satan is directly responsible in the sense that he is the author and mother of sin: the tree where all the bad fruits came from.ah like that... sorry I didn't read carefully enough I guess :embarrassed:

[Angelo]

Having a different mother tongue makes it more difficult for me Bro Joris, but I really enjoyed english ever since, a language with eloquence and art. I have to double my effort here y'know...:)

[joris]

Having a different mother tongue makes it more difficult for me Bro Joris, but I really enjoyed english ever since, a language with eloquence and art. I have to double my effort here y'know...:)yeah, it's not my mother tongue either
though I just didn't really "get" the point first time I read it I guess :y10:

[Angelo]

It's my opinion that many times it's simply our old stinky flesh that's pulling us down - Satan not even having to lift a finger.
Genetic make up can be changed or altered by the way we mold and handle ourselves. We are privileged because we can overcome the urge of the flesh by God's grace.