(December 15, 2017 at 2:34 pm)vulcanlogician Wrote: YAY! I was hoping a Christian or two might come in and give a perspective on this. Thanks for your input, guys.
(December 15, 2017 at 3:39 am)Godscreated Wrote: It's a battle with the self, that is our sinful nature. Many want to attribute their spiritual battle to Satan, they do not realize Satan is frying bigger fish. Most Christians are minnows in a pond blaming anyone but themselves for there spiritual troubles. They will start praying for God to move Satan aside when they should be asking Him to help them overcome their own self righteousness or whatever else it is they are doing to hurt their relationship with God. When God doesn't answer their prayers because they have prayed for the wrong thing they give up and leave the church, this should sound familiar to some here. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying there are those who go through great spiritual battles with Satan or his demons, they would be the big fish in the ocean.
GC
So do you think exorcisms, laying on hands, and whatnot are misplaced spiritual efforts? I guess what I'm asking for is to explain what you are saying: are you redefining the concept of spiritual warfare or shaking your finger at it? At any rate, you can see why nonbelievers might view demonic possession and related cultural phenomena as oddities, I'm sure.
Your welcome, it's always good to respond to those who are serious about spiritual things even if they do not believe.
No they are not misplaced, I've never seen a demon possessed person that I'm aware of, I'm sure it happens, we've been given examples in the scriptures. Laying on of hands can be for physical or spiritual needs, but if the person who is in need is not willing then God most likely will not give the needed healing or blessing.
No I'm not redefining spiritual warfare, I'm saying that the spiritual battle for most Christians is with themselves and not necessarily with Satan or a demon. The original sin was a spiritual battle within Adam and Eve, they had to make a decision to obey or disobey God. In their case Satan was the direct tempter because the fall hadn't taken place with man. Since the fall man's battle is mostly with his sin nature that we all possess. Satan was a necessary part before the fall because Adam and Eve were pure of heart.
Yes I can see that nonbelievers would see this as an oddity but the truth is it's real. Satan doesn't need to worry much about nonbelievers because they have put themselves into the position of denial and thus lost to an eternal life with God. The last thing Satan wants nonbelievers to know is that he is real, if they did then they might just seek out God.
GC
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.
