Hi B-A-C, Bit of a poser aye? It occurred to me, that Satan is a created being, as we are. And God, being omni present, omniscient and omnipotent, must have known before he created him what he would be. Throughout scripture he has had a job to do. First with Adam, later with Job, and later still with Judas and Paul not to mention us. Whether or not scripture sites him as my enemy, I know he is, otherwise why the armour and the Sword.Satan is never called "your enemy" in the Bible. I don't doubt that he is our enemy. But I think he is more Gods enemy, or an enemy of the kingdom as a whole.
He is called the adversary and the accuser, but not our enemy.
Hi Br Bear, I noticed your post says {quote} Be alert, be on watch! 'your enemy' roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. It's our enemies that Jesus is calling us to love. I, as one who seeks to understand the scriptures, find I cannot just pass a scripture by because it appears to fly in the face of the cannon of scripture. Jesus never uttered a word lightly. All the words he uttered were words of power. And he said "love your enemies". What do you make of it?Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Peter 5:8
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:9
Be sober, vigilant, because your opponent the devil, as a roaring lion, doth walk about, seeking whom he may swallow up,
and the great dragon was cast forth -- the old serpent, who is called 'Devil,' and 'the Adversary,' who is leading astray the whole world -- he was cast forth to the earth, and his messengers were cast forth with him.
Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
If we are to love our enemies, are we to love Satan, 'our enemy'?
● Matt 5:44 . . I say unto you: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
The Greek word for "love" in that verse is agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o) which is quite a bit different than the other word for love in the New Testament.
● Heb 13:1 . . Let brotherly love continue.
The Greek word for "brotherly love" in that passage is philadelphia (fil-ad-el fee'-ah) which refers to fraternal affection.
Agapao doesn't necessarily contain the element of affection; rather, it's an impersonal kind of love exemplified in behaviors like courtesy, kindness, sympathy, civility, good will, deference, and consideration. In other words, you don't have to be especially fond of your enemies in order to comply with Matt 5:44
Now as for the Devil; it's a sin to slander him. In point of fact, people who slander the Devil are regarded in scripture as senseless brutes. And if it's brutish to slander the Devil, then it's also brutish to slander US President Donald Trump. (Jude 1:8-10)
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Well put Paul, I can come together with that. Distinguishing between flesh and spirit hadn't occurred to me, and, I was teasing a bit. bless youGreeting Trevor, do I sense a little teaser here?
My answer, for what it is worth would be...
We are in the flesh, we are to love our flesh enemies.
The devil is an evil spirit, he loves to attack us humans, but only to get back at God.
Ephesians 6:12-13
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The battle is not ours to wrestle with brother, the battle is between God and satan, we are just to keep our eyes on Jesus, and protect ourself through the Blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross for us, and to put on the whole armour of God.
If satan comes to our door, wew are to send Jesus, it is not our fight.
Bless you
Hi Beetow, I did have agape love in mind when I wrote that, but as brother Paul reminded me, Jesus was likely speaking about us loving our enemies in the flesh and Satan is spirit. I still have to meditate some more on this though, as Satan is still my enemy and Jesus didn't actually differentiate between flesh and spirit. but thanks for your input. Bless you● Matt 5:44 . . I say unto you: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
The Greek word for "love" in that verse is agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o) which is quite a bit different than the other word for love in the New Testament.
● Heb 13:1 . . Let brotherly love continue.
The Greek word for "brotherly love" in that passage is philadelphia (fil-ad-el fee'-ah) which refers to fraternal affection.
Agapao doesn't necessarily contain the element of affection; rather, it's an impersonal kind of love exemplified in behaviors like courtesy, kindness, sympathy, civility, good will, deference, and consideration. In other words, you don't have to be especially fond of your enemies in order to comply with Matt 5:44
Now as for the Devil; it's a sin to slander him. In point of fact, people who slander the Devil are regarded in scripture as senseless brutes. And if it's brutish to slander the Devil, then it's also brutish to slander US President Donald Trump. (Jude 1:8-10)
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It has occurred to me Paul, that we as Christians are to conduct ourselves at all times with a loving disposition. This being the case, whoever we interact with, even Satan would be faced with love. bless you.Well put Paul, I can come together with that. Distinguishing between flesh and spirit hadn't occurred to me, and, I was teasing a bit. bless you
It has occurred to me Paul, that we as Christians are to conduct ourselves at all times with a loving disposition. This being the case, whoever we interact with, even Satan would be faced with love. bless you.
Jesus was likely speaking about us loving our enemies in the flesh and Satan is spirit.
Hi Paul,Greetings brother,
I laughed at this message to our friend in Christ @Beetow... loving our enemies in the flesh yes. I do not love satan, I do not believe we are intended to. Satan is Spirit. We are to love all flesh as Christ loves us.
Bless you
Regardless of what you suggest people are intended, I believe Jude 1:8-10 is saying that everyone be very careful what they say behind the Devil's back. And should they meet with the Devil face to face; render him all the respect due a superior rather than an equal. In other words: the Devil may be an evil angel, but he's still an angel; humans are lower in rank than angels. (Ps 8:4-5, Heb 2:6-7)I do not love satan, I do not believe we are intended to.
● John 3:16-17 . . God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The Greek word from which is translated "loved" in that passage is agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o). It isn't necessarily emotional, i.e. agapao doesn't necessarily express the elements of fondness and/or affection. But now the Greek word for "love" in this next passage does.
● John 16:27 . . The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
The Greek word from which is translated "loves" in that passage is phileo (fil-eh'-o). It's always emotional, i.e. always expresses the elements of fondness and affection.
In other words: though God gave His son for the world, it doesn't mean He did it out of fondness for the world. In point of fact, God pretty much reserves his feelings of affection for those in His own family circle.
● 1John 3:1 . . Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God
The manner of love that a normal father feels for his own children goes much deeper, and is far more bonding, than the love he might feel for his neighbor's children.
There's neither fondness nor bonding expressed in passages like John 3:16; which speaks of benevolence but not necessarily affection. God cares for the world, yes, but that doesn't mean that He likes the world. In point of fact, God quite despises the world; it disgusts Him and He'd really like for the world to give Him reason to improve His opinion.
Someone once complained to me that a loving God would never burn his children-- the work of His hands --in hell. I fully agreed God would never burn His children in hell, but He won't hesitate to burn yours should they neglect to take advantage of John 3:16.
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Regardless of what you suggest people are intended, I believe Jude 1:8-10 is saying that everyone be very careful what they say behind the Devil's back. And should they meet with the Devil face to face; render him all the respect due a superior rather than an equal. In other words: the Devil may be an evil angel, but he's still an angel; humans are lower in rank than angels. (Ps 8:4-5, Heb 2:6-7)
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Bible quotes that, at first glance, seem incomplete and/or ripped out of context, are generally no cause for alarm as it's a valid teaching method. Astute students of the Bible are aware that New Testament authors, and even Christ himself, commonly clipped excerpts from Scripture-- a.k.a. cherry picking --to emphasize a point. In other words; it's a waste of motion to quote an entire passage when only a little of it will suffice.I always recommend that all verses John 3:1-21 be read together, every part is connected in the conversation.
Bible quotes that, at first glance, seem incomplete and/or ripped out of context, are generally no cause for alarm as it's a valid teaching method. Astute students of the Bible are aware that New Testament authors, and even Christ himself, commonly clipped excerpts from Scripture-- a.k.a. cherry picking --to emphasize a point. In other words; it's a waste of motion to quote an entire passage when only a little of it is needed.
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