Are My Mice From Satan?

[A71]

Well, I do give him a helping hand by trying to eat natural and probiotic foods

 

[FireDragon76]

This is not neutral and not without consequence. The sun shining is God's grace, blessing, and love communicated to his creatures. Nothing is neutral. An "unfortunate event" can be God's judgment for one person and God's discipline for another. A "fortunate event" is God's grace and love for sinners and the righteous alike.

No offense but this sounds like well-meaning nonsense.

You should read Nadia Bolz Weber's book Pastrix if you have never done so. She talks about some real horrors she has encountered, and how nothing makes sense in those circumstances. Like having to pastorally minister in a hospital to two kids whose mom has just been killed in a car accident, leaving them orphans. Rationalistic theologies aren't going to be much comfort in those cases.

 

[Tree of Life]

No offense but this sounds like well-meaning nonsense.

You should read Nadia Bolz Weber's book Pastrix if you have never done so. She talks about some real horrors she has encountered, and how nothing makes sense in those circumstances. Like having to pastorally minister in a hospital to two kids whose mom has just been killed in a car accident, leaving them orphans. Rationalistic theologies aren't going to be much comfort in those cases.

It's just the Bible, bro. How one applies bible truth to hurting people and terrible situations in a pastoral manner is another question. But there is no question from Scripture that God is providentially involved in every event. Even your boi Luther held firmly to that.

 

[A71]

I am not against signs....I had two punctures through nails in one day, and had to change two tyres. In doing so I got covered in red sand....God was helping me crucify my flesh that day. The red sand was like being on Mars, the god of war. I was literally spiritually warring against my flesh, and God showed me that. But not everything is a sign. Sometimes its just life being interesting instead of mundane

 

[GingerBeer]

Good to know.

So God isn't involved at all?

God made the mice, the food that they want, you, your house, and metal so all you need to do is make proper use of what God had provided to ensure that creation functions safely and properly in your house.

 

[Tree of Life]

God made the mice, the food that they want, you, your house, and metal so all you need to do is make proper use of what God had provided to ensure that creation functions safely and properly in your house.

Sounds like the God of deism.

 

[Tree of Life]

I am not against signs....I had two punctures through nails in one day, and had to change two tyres. In doing so I got covered in red sand....God was helping me crucify my flesh that day. The red sand was like being on Mars, the god of war. I was literally spiritually warring against my flesh, and God showed me that. But not everything is a sign. Sometimes its just life being interesting instead of mundane

I'm not talking about signs. I'm talking about how God intends to use this affliction in my life. Also I'm meditating on what use Satan may be trying to make of these circumstances. I don't want to be ignorant of his schemes!

 

[JacksBratt]

Why do you think that trials are always obvious? Sometimes trials make us better. But sometimes they break us. That's why they're trials, right?

Why would God want to break you? Maybe break you of a habit, but not break your spirit.

Trials like tough financial times teach you to be more efficient and appreciative of your income.

Having someone close to you get sick or injured such that they depend on you for your service, may teach you to do more for others.

Having a close relationship, for a short time I hope, with someone who is selfish and treats you poorly, can teach you to be a better spouse, later in your life.

Natural disasters that damage our property and homes can teach us not to be so attached to worldly possessions...appreciate the homes He provides us, appreciate people whom we may not give credit for in our lives even though they are always there to lend a hand... and... maybe we should do the same more often.

But........having mice in our homes... just what would God be trying to teach you?

 

[A71]

Trust me, I was cheesed off changing the tyres, there were lots of problems. But when I realized God was text messaging me, I was very happy. . Its always lovely to get a direct word from God

 

[brinny]

I'm not talking about signs. I'm talking about how God intends to use this affliction in my life. Also I'm meditating on what use Satan may be trying to make of these circumstances. I don't want to be ignorant of his schemes!

"Afflictions"/"plagues" can sometimes be something God intends to extinguish.

Would you care to borrow my cat?

She is an excellent "extinguisher" of "mouse plagues".

 

[obsolete]

The only thing that God wants to break is self-reliance.

 

[A71]

I prefer self-reliance to selfish-reliance

 

[Tree of Life]

Why would God want to break you? Maybe break you of a habit, but not break your spirit.

Trials like tough financial times teach you to be more efficient and appreciative of your income.

Having someone close to you get sick or injured such that they depend on you for your service, may teach you to do more for others.

Having a close relationship, for a short time I hope, with someone who is selfish and treats you poorly, can teach you to be a better spouse, later in your life.

Natural disasters that damage our property and homes can teach us not to be so attached to worldly possessions...appreciate the homes He provides us, appreciate people whom we may not give credit for in our lives even though they are always there to lend a hand... and... maybe we should do the same more often.

But........having mice in our homes... just what would God be trying to teach you?

God might try to break what is weak in me in order to rebuild something stronger.

He has already taught me so much! He has given me a picture of the vigilance required to keep sin out of my life.

 

[GingerBeer]

Sounds like the God of deism.

It sounds like the God of this sermon

Act 17:22-31 NASB ... "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' 29 "Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."​

God accomplishes his will by many means including what people see as ordinary created means such as keeping the food safe and protected from pests like mice so that a person's house is not invaded by them and put at risk of diseases from their droppings.

 

[Grip Docility]

We just found out that we have mice in our house .

My wife and I were discussing the theological significance of this the other night and it got me thinking. I know that Yahweh sent mice in order to harass the Philistines (God's judgment upon them). Which reminds me that Yahweh can do more with an army of mice than any king can do with an army of warriors. But I don't believe that we have mice because God is judging us.

However, God may be disciplining us and weaning us off an inappropriate attachment to this world. Our loving Father might certainly do such a thing.

But then I got to thinking about Satan. Some people, when facing an issue like this, might be inclined to think that this is spiritual warfare and that Satan sent these mice to harass them and goad them toward unbelief and sin.

But is this biblical? Satan, through his lies and schemes, certainly is able to have an influence over people. But Satan cannot command anything in creation. He has no control over mice, wind, waves, or anything else. All of creation is under Yahweh's control. Even when Satan harassed Job he had to get Yahweh's permission.

So do I have mice because God is judging me, because God is disciplining me, or because Satan is harassing me? Or some combination?

Discuss.

Does holy water hurt them and what happens if you shake a crucifix at them and say “the Power of Christ compels you”?

 

[brinny]

God might try to break what is weak in me in order to rebuild something stronger.

He has already taught me so much! He has given me a picture of the vigilance required to keep sin out of my life.

Would you care to share what that "picture of vigilance" might look like, Tree?

 

[Tree of Life]

Does holy water hurt them and what happens if you shake a crucifix at them and say “the Power of Christ compels you”?

Some of my charismatic friends might suggest that I've got the authority to command them to leave my house. I'm a bit skeptical.

 

[FireDragon76]

It's just the Bible, bro. How one applies bible truth to hurting people and terrible situations in a pastoral manner is another question. But there is no question from Scripture that God is providentially involved in every event. Even your boi Luther held firmly to that.

Of course, it's there in Luther. But we don't emphasize meticulous sovereignty to the same degree. It's not as important in our theology. And the sort of spirituality you are talking about can really be inadequate when everything falls apart. Mice are one thing, after all, they are a minor nuisance in the grand scheme of things. That's why we talk about a theologica crucis so much.

Mice could be seen as sin of course, but I'd say it has more to do with the fact that in a fallen world, dominion over the earth runs up against mother nature. Mice are part of God's good creation, after all, and it might be an opportunity for you to teach your kids about that, rather than seeing them as automatically the work of the Evil One.

 

[Tree of Life]

Of course, it's there in Luther. But we don't emphasize meticulous sovereignty to the same degree. It's not as important in our theology. And the sort of spirituality you are talking about can really be inadequate when everything falls apart. Mice are one thing, after all, they are a minor nuisance in the grand scheme of things. That's why we talk about a theologica crucis so much.

Mice could be seen as sin of course, but I'd say it has more to do with the fact that in a fallen world, dominion over the earth runs up against mother nature. Mice are part of God's good creation, after all, and it might be an opportunity for you to teach your kids about that, rather than seeing them as automatically the work of the Evil One.

It may not be the first tool in the tool belt to reach for when someone is seriously hurting, I agree.

 

[FireDragon76]

Maybe it's a lesson in humility. We have to share the earth with all the creatures here, and we really are not in charge of where they go. I know I hate it when lizards get into our apartment because they invariably die and are too dumb to figure out how to get out. Sometimes we manage to chase them out, but not always.