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September 03, 2004
The Devil is Bad
Thought provoking question:
Why was God thinking when he created the devil? I guess that we see from Job that God gives the devil all of his power. But it still seems like he could have given him less power. Because its really a struggle out there. Or maybe if he had made our sinful roots weaker more people would turn to him instead of becoming so easily entangled.
Action provoking question:
What is your reaction to sin? In your life or someone else’s? This is a good heart check for me. When I realize that I have sinned I have a tendency to complacently shrug and pray that I will do better next time as opposed to really repenting with sorrow over my behavior or thoughts.
Posted by paul at September 3, 2004 07:15 PM
Comments
I'm going to repeat a post I put on Dave and Mandy Powers' blog. It elicited no response. Let's see if it does better here:
Why exactly does God hate sin? Because the Bible teaches that God is unable to even look at sin. He can't co-exist with sin. So why isn't it just a matter of complete indifference to him?
I think he hates sin because it interferes with our relationship with him. Sin is adultery. It disturbs his love affair with us. He wants us, our hearts, desperately, more than anything -- "the glorious ones in whom is all my delight." (Psalm 16:3). You know, "for God so loved the world."
As for victory over sin, I've found -- at least to this point in my life -- it comes from a deepening relationshwip with Christ, realizing that I'm not following a set of rules but someone who deeply loves me. (Heb. 12:1-3).
When I sin in thought, word or deed, I hurt him deeply. So it's not so much any longer that I want to repent and do better next time, like I'm in some sort of self-help, 12-step program. I don't want to sin because I don't want to hurt him. Same as I don't want to hurt my children or my wife. So I don't say I'm sorry just so I can get back to business. I repent because I want to restore our relationship.
Posted by: Different Dan at September 3, 2004 04:10 PM
I'm going to repeat a post I put on Dave and Mandy Powers' blog. It elicited no response. Let's see if it does better here:
Why exactly does God hate sin? Because the Bible teaches that God is unable to even look at sin. He can't co-exist with sin. So why isn't it just a matter of complete indifference to him?
I think he hates sin because it interferes with our relationship with him. Sin is adultery. It disturbs his love affair with us. He wants us, our hearts, desperately, more than anything -- "the glorious ones in whom is all my delight." (Psalm 16:3). You know, "for God so loved the world."
As for victory over sin, I've found -- at least to this point in my life -- it comes from a deepening relationshwip with Christ, realizing that I'm not following a set of rules but someone who deeply loves me. (Heb. 12:1-3).
When I sin in thought, word or deed, I hurt him deeply. So it's not so much any longer that I want to repent and do better next time, like I'm in some sort of self-help, 12-step program. I don't want to sin because I don't want to hurt him. Same as I don't want to hurt my children or my wife. So I don't say I'm sorry just so I can get back to business. I repent because I want to restore our relationship.
Posted by: Different Dan at September 3, 2004 04:11 PM
Tim B mentioned that it helps him to think of sin as out and out rebelion against God.
That was good for me to think about too.
Posted by: paul at September 4, 2004 11:03 AM
Why did God create Satan? Where in the OT does talk about God doing all things for his glory?; Maybe he created Satan so that after all is done, He will be glorified even more in that he has crushed Satan under His feet; he has used Satan to display the greatness of his power that is even more powerful than powerful Satan. Just a little thought.
Posted by: Mare at September 10, 2004 02:06 PM
Wasn't Satan originally an Angel that essentially decided he could do it better himself? In that sense, God didn't really create Satan. He created Angels who apparently have as much free will as us humans. One could argue that he knew this Angel would "rebel" and become Satan so he never should have created him in the first place. However, God has created a lot of people who have done a lot of horrible things, so it appears that he doesn't weed out those who are going to sin. THANK GOODNESS!
Posted by: Ben at September 17, 2004 11:24 AM