Evil...!

[AudreyNicole]

Is everything that happens in this world that is bad the work of satan?

In church today the sermon was about faith and they said that even the most random things that make you mad are "evil" at work. Like if you get in a car accident, is that evil? Or is that just life? Or if you get sick... is that satan? Or is that just life?

Just wondering... thanks!!

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Is everything that happens in this world that is bad the work of satan?

In church today the sermon was about faith and they said that even the most random things that make you mad are "evil" at work. Like if you get in a car accident, is that evil? Or is that just life? Or if you get sick... is that satan? Or is that just life?

Just wondering... thanks!!

Yes. Every good thing is from above. Conversely every bad thing is from the enemy.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Can you think of anything that does not come under the heading of "Steal, kill, or destroy"? I can't

 

[Boanerges]

Is everything that happens in this world that is bad the work of satan?

While the devil is busy I would attribute much of what goes on in most lives to their own rotten flesh which is always anti-Christ in nature (Gal 5:17 ) . Mans fallen nature easily succumbs to temptation and the corrupt world appeals to this same flesh (1Jn 2:16).

 

[El Hombre viejo]

While the devil is busy I would attribute much of what goes on in most lives to their own rotten flesh which is always anti-Christ in nature (Gal 5:17 ) . Mans fallen nature easily succumbs to temptation and the corrupt world appeals to this same flesh (1Jn 2:16).

While this applies to an unsaved person, Bo, it does not have to apply to a Christian. Christians do not have a sin nature. That died when we were born again. We now have the Holy Spirit residing in us and we are to take on His nature.
2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

[Boanerges]

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

While I know what you are saying I agree and disagree at the same time so if I may I will share my view on this. If we can agree totally that is great if not let us agree to love each other in Jesus Name anyway.:shade:
It is indeed the born again believers at the church of Galatia that Paul (by the Holy Spirit) is addressing when he declares:
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

And again to the church at Rome:
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

God is a triune God : Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God made man in His own image (Gen 1:26) which is also triune or tripartite (1Th 5:23).
God gives us a new inner man or spirit when we are born again (Eze 36:26, 1Jn 5:18, Eph 4:24) at the same time it is our soul (mind, will, intellect, emotions) that is being saved (Heb 10:39, Jas 5:20). One is an accomplished fact and the other walked out experentially day by day.
This is a manifests as fact in the life of the believer as his mind is renewed (Rom 12:2) according to the Word of God by the revealtion of the Holy Spirit of God. Thus by believing God's Word over what one could see feel, touch, taste or comprehend in the natural that one begins to think like God and walk in faith according to that revealed Word- this is having the active Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God or literally renewed "life force or spirit" of that mind. The spirit receives revelation from God, the mind is renewed and the body follows the thoughts of that renewed area of that ones mind. This is the manifestation of the sanctification that was an accomplished fact in Christ (in our spirit) and yet remains to be walked out experientially.
We are to be led of the Spirit and not vice-verse ( Rom 8:13-14).
I have said a lot to say this; if the great Apostle struggled with his flesh (Rom 7:24-25) then we can expect to do the same.
There is literally only one time a believer is totally free from it's influence and that is this:
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Anything else is both contradictory to the example given by Jesus Christ and seeking ones own way for what is born of the flesh is always flesh (Joh 3:6) and unacceptable to God. The scriptures are indeed full of examples of New Testament saints who in their immaturity walked contrary to the will of God.
Was my old man crucified with Christ? Yes. Does my flesh rise up at any given opportunity? Yes.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.


Anyway, I just wanted to share those thoughts with you.
Many blessings and much love in Christ,
your brother Larry.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

While I know what you are saying I agree and disagree at the same time so if I may I will share my view on this. If we can agree totally that is great if not let us agree to love each other in Jesus Name anyway.:shade:
It is indeed the born again believers at the church of Galatia that Paul (by the Holy Spirit) is addressing when he declares:
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

And again to the church at Rome:
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

God is a triune God : Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God made man in His own image (Gen 1:26) which is also triune or tripartite (1Th 5:23).
God gives us a new inner man or spirit when we are born again (Eze 36:26, 1Jn 5:18, Eph 4:24) at the same time it is our soul (mind, will, intellect, emotions) that is being saved (Heb 10:39, Jas 5:20). One is an accomplished fact and the other walked out experentially day by day.
This is a manifests as fact in the life of the believer as his mind is renewed (Rom 12:2) according to the Word of God by the revealtion of the Holy Spirit of God. Thus by believing God's Word over what one could see feel, touch, taste or comprehend in the natural that one begins to think like God and walk in faith according to that revealed Word- this is having the active Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God or literally renewed "life force or spirit" of that mind. The spirit receives revelation from God, the mind is renewed and the body follows the thoughts of that renewed area of that ones mind. This is the manifestation of the sanctification that was an accomplished fact in Christ (in our spirit) and yet remains to be walked out experientially.
We are to be led of the Spirit and not vice-verse ( Rom 8:13-14).
I have said a lot to say this; if the great Apostle struggled with his flesh (Rom 7:24-25) then we can expect to do the same.
There is literally only one time a believer is totally free from it's influence and that is this:
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Anything else is both contradictory to the example given by Jesus Christ and seeking ones own way for what is born of the flesh is always flesh (Joh 3:6) and unacceptable to God. The scriptures are indeed full of examples of New Testament saints who in their immaturity walked contrary to the will of God.
Was my old man crucified with Christ? Yes. Does my flesh rise up at any given opportunity? Yes.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.


Anyway, I just wanted to share those thoughts with you.
Many blessings and much love in Christ,
your brother Larry.

Ya I'll go for that... We have to train our minds and bodies to line up with the Word.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ephesians 5:25-27
"......even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

I agree that we should agree that even when we disagree Jesus' love is flowing though us to everybody around us.

 

[AudreyNicole]

What is evil?

So if all bad things come from the enemy, what constitutes a "bad thing"?

If I forget to do my homework and receive an F on that assignment, that's bad. But is that evil? If I don't make a shot during a basketball game and my team loses, that's bad. Is that evil? If I catch a cold during the winter and get really sick, that's bad. Is that evil? If I break my foot playing soccer, that's bad. But is it evil?

Is it all simply black and white/Good and evil? Or is there grey area??

 

[El Hombre viejo]

So if all bad things come from the enemy, what constitutes a "bad thing"?

If I forget to do my homework and receive an F on that assignment, that's bad. But is that evil? If I don't make a shot during a basketball game and my team loses, that's bad. Is that evil? If I catch a cold during the winter and get really sick, that's bad. Is that evil? If I break my foot playing soccer, that's bad. But is it evil?

Is it all simply black and white/Good and evil? Or is there grey area??

At the risk of precipitating another round of heated debate....No gray areas. Its either black or white

 

[rjones]

I think what should also be considered here is The Father correcting His children.

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Hebrews 12:5-6
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

God’s chastening can come in many forms; and what may be God’s chastening to endure in the life of one believer may be a Satanic attack to resist in the life of another. This is why James recommends a prayer for wisdom in the context of enduring trials (James 1:2-5). We need to know how to react differently when God does different things.

God has a purpose for correcting and training us. Think of David after being attacked by a lion while he was just a boy tending the sheep. Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen to him? God had a giant named Goliath he was destined to face, and the battle with the lion prepared him ahead of time. God always has a purpose. We can trust Him. So when bad things happen to us, it's not necessarily the devil doing it.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

I think what should also be considered here is The Father correcting His children.

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Hebrews 12:5-6
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

God’s chastening can come in many forms; and what may be God’s chastening to endure in the life of one believer may be a Satanic attack to resist in the life of another. This is why James recommends a prayer for wisdom in the context of enduring trials (James 1:2-5). We need to know how to react differently when God does different things.

God has a purpose for correcting and training us. Think of David after being attacked by a lion while he was just a boy tending the sheep. Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen to him? God had a giant named Goliath he was destined to face, and the battle with the lion prepared him ahead of time. God always has a purpose. We can trust Him. So when bad things happen to us, it's not necessarily the devil doing it.

Wow!!! There's a religious answer. God corrects us by His Word not by slapping us with some sickness or financial devastation. He never inflicts us with painful circumstances.
One cannot blame God for our getting a result for our actions. This world is based on causality. Gods Word is based on, and is LOVE

Try looking at God and the way He teaches us through love. No sane parent would inflict suffering and disease etc on their children just to teach them.

 

[rjones]

Hebrews 12:5-13 NIV
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Wow!!! There's a religious answer. God corrects us by His Word not by slapping us with some sickness or financial devastation. He never inflicts us with painful circumstances.

I'm wondering, Have you read the book of Job?

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Hebrews 12:5-13 NIV
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

I'm wondering, Have you read the book of Job?

Are you saying you're not stung to repentance by the Word? Are you saying it takes an earthquake to get your attention? Are you saying that the Word is not enough to get you back onto the path?

Yup I've read the book of Job. Why? You're not saying God inflicted all that crap on Job are you?

 

[rjones]

Job 5:17
Psalms 39:11
Proverbs 3:11

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Job 5:17
Psalms 39:11
Proverbs 3:11

RJ Are you reading my posts? I never even intimated that God does not correct or chastise us. So what's your point?

 

[just-a-servant]

Is everything that happens in this world that is bad the work of satan?

Short answer: YES, if it's bad it cannot be of (from) the Father. However, nothing bad ever happens that God did not allow to happen. What is the distinction? Consider Job 1:8-22. God did not initiate the calamities against Job but he knew Satan would be doing them. Satan is doing this to us all the time, God knows of it and allows it. It is our responsibility to know where it comes from, to "not curse God and die," and praise God for all circumstances we find ourselves in. 2Cor 12:10 sums it up nicely.

Wow!!! There's a religious answer. God corrects us by His Word not by slapping us with some sickness or financial devastation. He never inflicts us with painful circumstances.
One cannot blame God for our getting a result for our actions. This world is based on causality. Gods Word is based on, and is LOVE

Try looking at God and the way He teaches us through love. No sane parent would inflict suffering and disease etc on their children just to teach them.

El Hombre: While your answer has some truth, i.e., correcting by His word, not blaming God, and God is love, the remainder of your comment is not borne out by scripture.

The Israelites wandered in the desert 40 years as punishment for the unbelief they registered after the report from the 12 spies. All but two of the generation lead into the desert out of Egypt by Moses died there. That may not be sickness or financial devastation but certainly is painful circumstances.

Again, David's first son by Bathsheeba, was allowed to die after birth because of David's sin of murder and adultery. David writhed in agony for several days because of this suffering.

By saying "he never inflicts us with painful circumstances," is contrary to what the scriptures tell us. Look at the persecutions and deaths of John the Baptist, Stephen, Paul, or any of the 12 apostles. Those guys were inflicted to death. Did they deserve it? Probably not, but by their endurance, they and we have ALL learned a great deal. If I were to guess, I would say that was the greater purpose.

I appreciate your belief that the scripture is useful in correcting, rebuking, etc., but you must understand God doesn't limit his discipline to just his Word.

IMHO,
just-a-servant

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Short answer: YES, if it's bad it cannot be of (from) the Father. However, nothing bad ever happens that God did not allow to happen. What is the distinction? Consider Job 1:8-22. God did not initiate the calamities against Job but he knew Satan would be doing them. Satan is doing this to us all the time, God knows of it and allows it. It is our responsibility to know where it comes from, to "not curse God and die," and praise God for all circumstances we find ourselves in. 2Cor 12:10 sums it up nicely.



El Hombre: While your answer has some truth, i.e., correcting by His word, not blaming God, and God is love, the remainder of your comment is not borne out by scripture.

The Israelites wandered in the desert 40 years as punishment for the unbelief they registered after the report from the 12 spies. All but two of the generation lead into the desert out of Egypt by Moses died there. That may not be sickness or financial devastation but certainly is painful circumstances.

Again, David's first son by Bathsheeba, was allowed to die after birth because of David's sin of murder and adultery. David writhed in agony for several days because of this suffering.

By saying "he never inflicts us with painful circumstances," is contrary to what the scriptures tell us. Look at the persecutions and deaths of John the Baptist, Stephen, Paul, or any of the 12 apostles. Those guys were inflicted to death. Did they deserve it? Probably not, but by their endurance, they and we have ALL learned a great deal. If I were to guess, I would say that was the greater purpose.

I appreciate your belief that the scripture is useful in correcting, rebuking, etc., but you must understand God doesn't limit his discipline to just his Word.

IMHO,
just-a-servant

Think what you like

 

[just-a-servant]

Think what you like

Seeing is believing (you believe as you see).

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Seeing is believing (you believe as you see).

Boy!! Have you ever got that one backward!!

 

[just-a-servant]

Boy!! Have you ever got that one backward!!

I confess, I peeked at your profile before my last post. In it you said your favorite saying is:

Credendo Vides

You even sign your posts with that saying. The meaning of the Latin saying is:

Seeing is believing (you believe as you see).


I just used your words.

I submit it is not I who has it backwards, but you. I will stand by my post and ask you to provide evidence in support of your belief: ". . . He never inflicts us with painful circumstances."

I'm sure you mean well by your post, I just don't think you've thought it through completely. In any event, may the Lord bless you, as He has me. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Prov. 27:17

IMHO
just-a-servant

 

[El Hombre viejo]

I confess, I peeked at your profile before my last post. In it you said your favorite saying is:

Credendo Vides

You even sign your posts with that saying. The meaning of the Latin saying is:

Seeing is believing (you believe as you see).


I just used your words.

I submit it is not I who has it backwards, but you. I will stand by my post and ask you to provide evidence in support of your belief: ". . . He never inflicts us with painful circumstances."

I'm sure you mean well by your post, I just don't think you've thought it through completely. In any event, may the Lord bless you, as He has me. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Prov. 27:17

IMHO
just-a-servant

I don't know where you got that translation my friend but it's backward. Credendo Vedes means "In Believing You See"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=credendo+vides&go=Go