Attack of the devil or........

[Esther]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Who made the wrong choice? The devil can beguile, lie, and deceive all day long, but we have to make a choice to do what he is tempting us to do.

Yes, BUT as I see it it is his fault for prompting the tempation, IF he had left her alone all would be well, sooooooooo it is his fault!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLUS God spoke to Adam and HE partook KNOWING it was wrong.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Esther

Yes, BUT as I see it it is his fault for prompting the tempation, IF he had left her alone all would be well, sooooooooo it is his fault!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLUS God spoke to Adam and HE partook KNOWING it was wrong.

But, if you use this logic, isn't it God's fault for creating mankind knowing they would be tempted, and give in to that temptation? Not that I believe this at all in any way... I just don't think it's the devil's fault either. It's what happened. God knew it was going to happen. And created everything that is anyhow. Since God is perfect, there must be a pretty good reason for that.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Years ago there was a minster that told me his family was under attack of the devil every spring, from my perspective it was a matter of how he and his family were treating folks that caused these "attacks".

How can one discern, when untoward happenings in our lives occur, whether it's a reaping of what was sown or an attack of the devil? Can it be both?

Originally Posted by RevDWW

That expression "Give the devil his due" seems to get worked overtime in some of the ranks of Pentecost. I think at times he gets way more credit then he should.

I also think at times he is a scape goat for when we are reaping things we have sown and the harvest is a bumper crop of trouble.

What did you do that you are paying for? Come on. Out with it! Confession is good for the soul, Brudda! Tell us all the details!

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Rico

What did you do that you are paying for? Come on. Out with it! Confession is good for the soul, Brudda! Tell us all the details!

I'm paying for a house. But that ain't bad........

I don't have any confession worth hearing. I was just wanting to discuss how to tell the difference between an attack of the devil and things we bring on ourselves.

[AbundantGrace]

Originally Posted by Esther

Yes, BUT as I see it it is his fault for prompting the tempation, IF he had left her alone all would be well, sooooooooo it is his fault!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLUS God spoke to Adam and HE partook KNOWING it was wrong.

Meaning no disrespect, but I disagree with this argument. Yes, the devil played his part and still does even now. HOWEVER, we can't blame him for what we CHOOSE to do. We are creatures of free-will and therefore we are held accountable for our choices. We have to take personal responsibility for the things that we do.

Eve can blame the serpent. Adam can blame Eve. I can blame the devil or my parents for the way that I was raised or my peers for pressuring me too hard, but in the end, it boils down to Personal Responsibility. That is something that is lacking in America today. We're always wanting to blame someone else for what we CHOOSE to do, but nobody has ever held a gun to my head and forced me to do anything.

Anyway, just my humble opinion.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by AbundantGrace

Meaning no disrespect, but I disagree with this argument. Yes, the devil played his part and still does even now. HOWEVER, we can't blame him for what we CHOOSE to do. We are creatures of free-will and therefore we are held accountable for our choices. We have to take personal responsibility for the things that we do.

Eve can blame the serpent. Adam can blame Eve. I can blame the devil or my parents for the way that I was raised or my peers for pressuring me too hard, but in the end, it boils down to Personal Responsibility. That is something that is lacking in America today. We're always wanting to blame someone else for what we CHOOSE to do, but nobody has ever held a gun to my head and forced me to do anything.

Anyway, just my humble opinion.

Personal Responsibility....what a concept! Jesus taught it when He said "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or "turn the other cheek". Not only am I able, but I must make the decision on how I respond to the things that effect me.

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Years ago there was a minster that told me his family was under attack of the devil every spring, from my perspective it was a matter of how he and his family were treating folks that caused these "attacks".

How can one discern, when untoward happenings in our lives occur, whether it's a reaping of what was sown or an attack of the devil? Can it be both?

I think sometimes both, and sometimes neither. Bad things happen because we live in a sinful world that's a battleground. Sometimes we are just casualties of the battle.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by AbundantGrace

Meaning no disrespect, but I disagree with this argument. Yes, the devil played his part and still does even now. HOWEVER, we can't blame him for what we CHOOSE to do. We are creatures of free-will and therefore we are held accountable for our choices. We have to take personal responsibility for the things that we do.

Eve can blame the serpent. Adam can blame Eve. I can blame the devil or my parents for the way that I was raised or my peers for pressuring me too hard, but in the end, it boils down to Personal Responsibility. That is something that is lacking in America today. We're always wanting to blame someone else for what we CHOOSE to do, but nobody has ever held a gun to my head and forced me to do anything.

Anyway, just my humble opinion.

Oh I 100% agree Eve had a choice, not debating that at all. My point is that satan instigated the sin, and in MY opinion it is his fault. But yes we all have a will to do right or wrong, no debate there.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

But, if you use this logic, isn't it God's fault for creating mankind knowing they would be tempted, and give in to that temptation? Not that I believe this at all in any way... I just don't think it's the devil's fault either. It's what happened. God knew it was going to happen. And created everything that is anyhow. Since God is perfect, there must be a pretty good reason for that.

No I don't think it is God's fault for creating mankind. I wonder if He regrets it sometimes.

God allowed sin to give man a choice to serve Him or evil, rather than force man to worship Him. True worship if you will.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Esther

No I don't think it is God's fault for creating mankind. I wonder if He regrets it sometimes.

God allowed sin to give man a choice to serve Him or evil, rather than force man to worship Him. True worship if you will.

Wonder no more,
Genesis 6:6 8 (KJV)
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.