Are Christians Afraid To Talk About the Devil?

[Adrift]

That's entirely possible -- but it also made me think (that's always dangerous).... I would rather people come to Jesus because of who He is, than run from the Devil because of fear or for "fire insurance".

Absolutely! Just so you know, I didn't create this thread to argue that people need to be afraid of the Devil, but was simply curious if people are afraid to talk about the Devil.

[Cow Poke]

Absolutely! Just so you know, I didn't create this thread to argue that people need to be afraid of the Devil, but was simply curious if people are afraid to talk about the Devil.

Yeah, absolutely understood! So, for the record, I'm not so much "afraid" to talk about the Devil, I just don't see much value in it. And you may have hit on something --- when I was a kid, there were SO MANY sermons on hellfire and damnation and it seemed the emphasis was on "not going to Hell" more than "following the Christ".

[Thoughtful Monk]

That's entirely possible -- but it also made me think (that's always dangerous).... I would rather people come to Jesus because of who He is, than run from the Devil because of fear or for "fire insurance".

I agree that it is better to come from a love of Jesus than fear of the Devil. On the other hand, I've heard testimonies from both starting points and in the end, both are saved.

[Cow Poke]

I agree that it is better to come from a love of Jesus than fear of the Devil. On the other hand, I've heard testimonies from both starting points and in the end, both are saved.

Yeah, that's where the guidance of the Holy Spirit is invaluable.

But I can't help but think "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me".....

[seanD]

I wonder what Christians think about 2 Thess 2:9-12 in relation to the OP. I've noticed some saying that Satan gets too much credit for the problems in the world, but that passage about those that are deluded by Satan seems pretty broad and wide-sweeping. It also makes you wonder, if we assume he's limited in power, how he's capable of such a broad and wide-sweeping reach on humanity.

[Cow Poke]

I wonder what Christians think about 2 Thess 2:9-12 in relation to the OP.

I think, like other Scripture, it needs to be taken in the overall context of the rest of Scripture.

I've noticed some saying that Satan gets too much credit for the problems in the world, but that passage about those that are deluded by Satan seems pretty broad and wide-sweeping. It also makes you wonder, if we assume he's limited in power, how he's capable of such a broad and wide-sweeping reach on humanity.

Well, he IS limited in power -- and time. He's a "short timer", to use unofficial military jargon.

Source: Rev 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

© Copyright Original Source

[Paprika]

2.) Biblical descriptions of demonic activity like possession are now viewed through the lens of modern medicine as mental illness. So what once was attributed to demons is now attributed to psychiatric episodes. That isn't to say that mental illness doesn't exist, I believe it does, its just that its not uncommon to read interpretations of the Gerasene demoniac suffering from schizophrenia or what have you. So Christians are embarrassed to mention possession because it makes them look like superstitious kooks.

You may be interested in Walter Wink's trilogy on Powers:

“Every Power tends to have a visible pole, an outer form – be it a church, a nation, and economy – and an invisible pole, an inner spirit or driving force that animates, legitimates, and regulates its physical manifestation in the world. Neither pole is the cause of the other. Both come into existence together and cease to exist together”

“To put the thesis of these three volumes in its simplest form: The Powers are good. The Powers are fallen. The Powers must be redeemed. These three statement must be held together, for each, by itself, is not only untrue but downright mischievous. We cannot affirm governments or universities or businesses to be good unless at the same time we recognize that they are fallen. We cannot face their malignant intractability and oppressiveness unless we remember that they are simultaneously a part of God’s good creation. And reflection on their creation and fall will appear only to legitimate these Powers and blast hope for change unless we assert at the same time that these Powers can and must be redeemed”

It sounds most fascinating, but sadly I have yet to read it.

[Paprika]

I think, like other Scripture, it needs to be taken in the overall context of the rest of Scripture.



Well, he IS limited in power -- and time. He's a "short timer", to use unofficial military jargon.

Source: Rev 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

© Copyright Original Source

I doubt there'd be "woe to the inhabiters of the earth" if the devil wasn't capable of causing great damage.

[Cow Poke]

I doubt there'd be "woe to the inhabiters of the earth" if the devil wasn't capable of causing great damage.

Why SURE he's capable of causing great damage -- but that's still limited to whatever God allows. We can spend so much time focusing on what the Devil can and can't do that we fail to fulfill the great commission.

[seanD]

Why SURE he's capable of causing great damage -- but that's still limited to whatever God allows. We can spend so much time focusing on what the Devil can and can't do that we fail to fulfill the great commission.

And 2 Thess 2 indicates that God allows a deluding force from Satan to deceive all those that refuse the truth. That's not only a pretty powerful delusion but, as I said, a wide reaching one. That passage also seems to imply that wickedness is a direct result of being deceived.

[Cow Poke]

And 2 Thess 2 indicates that God allows a deluding force from Satan to deceive all those that refuse the truth. That's not only a pretty powerful delusion but, as I said, a wide-reaching one. That passage also seems to imply that wickedness is a direct result of being deceived.

Nobody's disputing that, Sean.... but do you want to spend all your time worrying about that? Don't you trust in God to protect, guide and defend you? Are you doing your part to disciple the nations?

[Paprika]

Why SURE he's capable of causing great damage -- but that's still limited to whatever God allows. We can spend so much time focusing on what the Devil can and can't do that we fail to fulfill the great commission.

And we can spend too little time focusing on what he does such that his attacks limit and disrupt efforts to fulfill the Commission.

[Cow Poke]

And we can spend too little time focusing on what he does such that his attacks limit and disrupt efforts to fulfill the Commission.

And I think you'd prefer to argue with the devil than obey the Savior*.




*being factious -- my mom used to tell me that very thing during my relatively short lived rebellion.

[seanD]

Nobody's disputing that, Sean.... but do you want to spend all your time worrying about that? Don't you trust in God to protect, guide and defend you? Are you doing your part to disciple the nations?

This is a false dichotomy. And yes, previous posts indicate that that was in dispute which is why I pointed it out. It also would be another possible reason Christians are reluctant to discuss Satan, because they oversimplify or underestimate his potency.

[Cow Poke]

This is a false dichotomy.

Of course it is.... this is part of my whole point!

And yes, previous posts indicate that that was in dispute which is why I pointed it out. It also would be another possible reason Christians are reluctant to discuss Satan, because they oversimplify or underestimate his potency.

Are you a soul winner, Sean? Do you actively win people to Christ? Do you disciple anybody?