Comments on: Fighting Imaginary Battles With The Devil

By: Steve Condrey

Steve Condrey — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:44:13 +0000

Some people get so worked up about ‘rebuking’ and ‘binding’ Satan that it’s debatable who they’re really worshiping. I used to be one of those people, until I figured out that I’d do better to talk to God instead. I still believe Satan is out there, but he’s mostly looking to catch us as we stumble in our walk. But by confessing Christ as our savior, we have already resisted the Enemy as much as possible. Next is the *real* challenge: resisting our own nature.

By: tigersharksteph

tigersharksteph — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:22:20 +0000

haha, i remember as a kid my mom wouldnt get a a playstation becuase our pastor had said it would allow demons into our house. By the time my mom figured out that was crazy and that game consols were not spiritualy dangerous the x box had come out! lol

By: Don

Don — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:06:35 +0000

One final; word on this one that applies to all the recent posts on this subject as well:
When I was a dyed in the wool, hard core Fundy…. All I could say about this subject was…. ready for?……. Wait on it…….. Here it is:

“I do believe in spooks.
I do believe in spooks.
I do, I do, I do, I do, I *do* believe in spooks!”

But the Wizard gave me a medal and now I’m much better….

Is there a Devil? Yep!

Are there Demons? Yep!

Is there an Omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient Creator God in control over everthing? You Betcha!

Scripture tells us to worry more about our own sinful flesh than outside forces. In fact, it was the Billy Sunday preachertainment photo series that popularized the idea of fighting against an external force… i.e. the Darkside. Scripture has always shown the battle with sin is an internal heart matter.

“Go Get’em Billy!
Show ‘em what for!”

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:20:58 +0000

@Ken- I’ve just been thinking about the Prodigal Brothers. I’ve never heard it called that, and it occurs to me that we always focus on the kid that takes off with the inheritance and messes up his life. I always thought somehow the older brother was kind of ignored or slightly passed over by preachers and got the feeling that somehow his story is less important than that of his younger brother. But God put him in the story so he’s meant for more that a passing glance. I went on a hunt to an online dictionary for the the definition of prodigal which, in turn, led me to http://www.eprodigals.com with commentary by Ken Bailey who lived in the Middle East and understands the culture. How very interesting! Maybe there’s a reason the rules-obsessed fundies haven’t given as much pul-pit time to Junior.

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:59:00 +0000

@Ken- Thanks for your added thoughts, the best two sermons I’ve encountered in weeks! Maybe years. I will certainly find gentle ways to pass these thoughts along to hubby.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:40:09 +0000

@Don–My wife and I watched “There Will Be Blood” last night. I have you to thank for my being able to recognize the source (Billy Sunday) of one of the lines the movie’s preacher (ahem, Eli Sunday) preached about gumming the devil.

SFL–your source for enlightened film criticism!

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:35:37 +0000

@Kate–another thought. The Book of Job contains nearly 40 chapters of some of the “best theological minds of the day” trying to figure out why certain unpleasant things happened. They all got it wrong. Finally God showed up and said, in effect, “Here’s what you need to know: I am God. You are not. Accept that fact and you’ll live well.” Add to that the Christian’s standing in grace (Romans 5:1-2), and the yoke gets a lot easier.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:27:29 +0000

@Kate–I love your synopsis of life as we know it!

I’d love for your husband to know this: The story of the Prodigal Brothers vividly shows how much Papa values relationship over rule-keeping. Papa wanted to love on both his boys equally, but the older preferred a log-book approach. “Father, I did this–you owe me that!” Younger brother also thought he had to earn his way back, but Papa just said, “Let’s party!–And big brother, you’re invited, too!” Equal love, whether you’ve kept all the rules or not. (That’s not to promote lawless living, but the best cure I know for a wracked conscience is heavy doses of grace.)

By: RobM

RobM — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:48:22 +0000

I third @Loren. They may be nice poeple, but nice poeple can still destroy you with their fundy ways, even if they don’t intend to.

By: Don

Don — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:02:18 +0000

Amen and I second what Loren said!