Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Focus on the Family

    Strengthening families through biblical principles.

    Focus on the Family addresses the use of biblical principles in parenting and marriage to strengthen the family.

  • Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ

    Heard of "The Gospel"? Want to know more?

    There is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men, by which it behooves us to be saved."

Bible Study authority of the devil

2024 Website Hosting Fees

Total amount
$905.00
Goal
$1,038.00

dirtfarmer

Member
dirtfarmer here

What authority does the devil have over man? We know that the devil has no authority over the believer, but what authority does he have over the unbeliever?
 
dirtfarmer here

What authority does the devil have over man? We know that the devil has no authority over the believer, but what authority does he have over the unbeliever?

I think this is a good topic to consider. Reason being, a person who is unsure can know who they belong to by who has authority over them.

Jhn 8:42-47
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Just like an earthly father has authority over his children, so too does the 'spiritual' father have authority over 'his/His' children. However, we know that satan only has as much authority over his children as God allows - because ultimately God created all things - and is the only sovereign One.

Satan has all authority of worldly things in the life of an unbeliever - except the authority to keep the unbeliever from repenting and turning to God.

Eze 33:11
Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?


Paul, speaking of his conversion and appointment by God, said this;

Act 26:15-18
And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

 
What authority does the devil have over man?
Dear Brother dirtfarmer, I’ve not had success at delivering what I believe, and have been driven by the opinions of others mixing the context of the present with the past. I reckon that the only thing to satisfy the confusion is probably to no longer attempt to discus scripture, but ask questions as to the literacy of phrases I read; this way I’m no longer blamed as a false prophet, but seen as someone that can’t read instead. E.g., the words eternal, and everlasting are subject to other’s interpretation of their validity, and/or God’s purpose in using them. That said, I will continue with my questions.
We know that the devil has no authority over the believer
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou?
How is it that God being all knowing didn’t know where Satan came from? Next thing we know He will not know what He is saying when He uses the words “God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
what authority does he have over the unbeliever?
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he (Job) hath is in thy power . .
Does this mean that Job’s children were not believers, because Satan was not allowed to put not forth his hand against Job; that perfect & an upright man, but allowed to kill Job’s children?
I would like to also ask the question that if Satan could not test Job’s faith for instance (Put his hand against him?), where was the test coming from, and for what purpose? Thanks.
 
Dear Brother dirtfarmer, I’ve not had success at delivering what I believe, and have been driven by the opinions of others mixing the context of the present with the past. I reckon that the only thing to satisfy the confusion is probably to no longer attempt to discus scripture, but ask questions as to the literacy of phrases I read; this way I’m no longer blamed as a false prophet, but seen as someone that can’t read instead. E.g., the words eternal, and everlasting are subject to other’s interpretation of their validity, and/or God’s purpose in using them. That said, I will continue with my questions.

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou?
How is it that God being all knowing didn’t know where Satan came from? Next thing we know He will not know what He is saying when He uses the words “God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he (Job) hath is in thy power . .
Does this mean that Job’s children were not believers, because Satan was not allowed to put not forth his hand against Job; that perfect & an upright man, but allowed to kill Job’s children?
I would like to also ask the question that if Satan could not test Job’s faith for instance (Put his hand against him?), where was the test coming from, and for what purpose? Thanks.

hello Eugene, dirtfarmer here

It is not possible for every one to agree with every one. Christians are at different levels of maturity. Answers that you give are just as important as anyone else's. The major doctrine of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the only doctrine that we must agree on, most every thing else is up to the interpretation of the individual as they progress in their maturity. Some on once told me, as long as you can back your belief by scripture it doesn't matter what others think. If we base our beliefs on what man has taught and not what the Spirit has revealed to us, then our beliefs are on man-made doctrine and are not scripturally sound. Even the preacher that we set under should be subject to the test of comparing scripture with scripture.

God knew where Satan came from; it is my understanding that he was asking, "For what purpose have you come." In Job 2 you find that Satan was allowed to "put forth his hand" but he could not take his life. It is my belief that Satan wants people to live as godly as possible while denying Jesus Christ as savior. I do not believe that Satan is as happy with a prostitute as he is with a church member that is trying to live good enough to earn salvation. Salvation brings works, but works don't bring salvation.

There are those that believe that we keep ourselves saved, or that we can lose our salvation by turning our back to Christ after we are saved. It is my belief that once we have died to self and have been resurrected in Christ to walk in newness of his life, we are sealed with the Spirit and are secure in our salvation.
 
Then there are those(like me :)) that believe man cannot earn salvation by doing something. Yet it seems God gives satan the authority to deceive people into thinking they can do something in order to posses something.

1 John 3
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
 
We're not just saved by Grace. But by grace through faith. In my mind, this means that the Grace comes first of course, and then it's waiting for a response from us.
 
We're not just saved by Grace. But by grace through faith. In my mind, this means that the Grace comes first of course, and then it's waiting for a response from us.

hello Edward, dirtfarmer here

Grace is the longsuffering of God; not giving us what we deserve, physical death immediately. I like that: grace is waiting for a response from us, faith.
 
hello Edward, dirtfarmer here

Grace is the longsuffering of God; not giving us what we deserve, physical death immediately. I like that: grace is waiting for a response from us, faith.

It sure is Brother! I thank God a lot that He's longsuffering.
 
We're not just saved by Grace. But by grace through faith. In my mind, this means that the Grace comes first of course, and then it's waiting for a response from us.

Wouldn't you also say that faith comes with that grace? So that it is not something we did, but something God gives us?

In order that the response, from us, is only capable because He gave us the capability?
 
Wouldn't you also say that faith comes with that grace? So that it is not something we did, but something God gives us?

In order that the response, from us, is only capable because He gave us the capability?

hello Nathan, dirtfarmer here

Would it be correct to say that God's mercy and grace is extended to all or just his mercy? Mercy is God not giving to us what we deserve, which death: God's grace is God giving to us what we don't deserve, which is his longsuffering so that we might hear the message of salvation and exercise faith that he offers to all, even though all don't accept his offer of salvation.
 
hello Nathan, dirtfarmer here

Would it be correct to say that God's mercy and grace is extended to all or just his mercy? Mercy is God not giving to us what we deserve, which death: God's grace is God giving to us what we don't deserve, which is his longsuffering so that we might hear the message of salvation and exercise faith that he offers to all, even though all don't accept his offer of salvation.
Thought provoking.

Grace to all, mercy to believers.
 
Wouldn't you also say that faith comes with that grace? So that it is not something we did, but something God gives us?

In order that the response, from us, is only capable because He gave us the capability?

Hmmm. Uh well, of course every man is given the measure of faith, that's scripture.Also, that no one can come to the Father unless called...

Now then..:confused2

There's always choices. Faith continually. He wants to see us having faith, holding faith, acting in faith. Of our own volition. When the Lord lays something on our plate, He's looking for a response. Yes, He gave us the Grace and Faith, but what do we do with it? So I'd venture to say that, even if He did give us the faith and capability, it still comes down to our choice to act upon it either way.

So even though we're only capable because of Him...we still must put one foot in front of the other ourselves.

Does that make sense?
 
Hmmm. Uh well, of course every man is given the measure of faith, that's scripture.Also, that no one can come to the Father unless called...

Now then..:confused2

There's always choices. Faith continually. He wants to see us having faith, holding faith, acting in faith. Of our own volition. When the Lord lays something on our plate, He's looking for a response. Yes, He gave us the Grace and Faith, but what do we do with it? So I'd venture to say that, even if He did give us the faith and capability, it still comes down to our choice to act upon it either way.

So even though we're only capable because of Him...we still must put one foot in front of the other ourselves.

Does that make sense?

hello Edward, dirtfarmer here

God told the children of Israel, " I will fight your battles and win the victory, all you have to do is go forward". They were given a choice, stand still and lose, or go forward and claim victory( "put one foot in front of the other ourselves")
 
Hi

every one born on earth is born into the kingdom of darkness and going to hell or when they receive salvation are translated into the kingdom of light and have the opportunity of eternal life in heaven

unless there parents are Christians and serving God

Children are covered by there parents relationship with Jesus

until they come of age and are accountable for there own rights and wrongs

I believe Jesus said satan is the god off this world which is the corruption and chaos we see in the environment

but that all power in heaven and earth had been given to Jesus

which is the authority given back to the members in the body of Christ

for Christians to excise dominion over the enemy and the environment through the word etc

we are responsible for the corruption and chaos we see in the world because we have been given the responsibility

to replenish the earth with our fathers light there is no greater authority or excuse for us not to follow our fathers instructions

Peace
 
Back
Top