The Devil

If God created everything (and I don't wish to discuss the mechanics here ) why did He create The Devil?

I guess, it would be wrong to come to this with the idea that there is an embodiment of pure evil that God created as the embodiment of pure evil; God didn't sit down one day and go "hmmm... you know what would really spice things up..."
That said, we as Christians accept the belief that all things seen and unseen were created by God through Christ, which would include the Devil.

The general view is that 'the Devil' was one of the angels of God which rebelled. Like all the angels and like us, the Devil was created with the freedom to rebel, but unlike the other angels, he did so. So, God didn't created an embodiment of evil, but many beings which had the freedom to be good or bad, the Devil took advantage of this freedom for evil means. Satan felt that he would be able to overcome God.

There is an apocryphal story (from The Gospel of Nicodemus; The Acts of Pilate, the Descent into Hades), in which Satan and Hades are talking. In it the idea that Satan is blinded by power and thinks he can overpower God comes through. Satan feels really chuffed that he has convinced people to kill this man who claims to be the Son of God, but despite this, Satan was able to kill him. Hades recognises that this was a mistake and that they cannot destroy God. While they are talking a voice comes and says that the King of Glory is coming, so Gades says to Satan, "go out and oppose him then if you think you can." Satan still believes he can beat God and goes out. Nevertheless, "the King of Glory came in, as a human; and all the dark places of Hades were enlightened." Hades then recognises that he has been defeated. Hades turns to Satan asking why he has done this, "...everything you gained through the tree of knowledge, you have lost through the tree of the cross."

Satan here with the freedom that we all have been given by God, ate of the tree of knowledge and became evil. God didn't create The Devil, God created an angel who had the freedom to choose good or bad, and chose bad.

Thanks for the reply If what you say is true though does that not mean we are all as equally evil as the devil, what makes him worse?

Human being createde the devil; he's a mythological creation not a real one.

Celtic D said:

If God created everything (and I don't wish to discuss the mechanics here ) why did He create The Devil?

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God is love.
Love involves choice not control. God wanted to give man a choice, to be independant or to work with him. Of course he advised man of the consequences but man wanted to see if he could find happiness without God. Many are doing the same today. At some point, often beat-up mentally, physically & spiritually they realise what God had been saying all along, then they turn to God whole-heartedly, he forgives and gives the power to be free from sin, death & fear or judgement.

Celtic D said:

Thanks for the reply If what you say is true though does that not mean we are all as equally evil as the devil, what makes him worse?

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Depends from whose viewpoint you ask the question. In God's eyes we've all fallen short, so there's certainly an argument to be made for saying that we are no less evil. The Devil happens to have some command and followers of a celestial kind so has a greater impact. As for quantifying evil, there but for the grace of God go I.

StormHawk said:

God is love.
Love involves choice not control. God wanted to give man a choice, to be independant or to work with him. Of course he advised man of the consequences but man wanted to see if he could find happiness without God. Many are doing the same today. At some point, often beat-up mentally, physically & spiritually they realise what God had been saying all along, then they turn to God whole-heartedly, he forgives and gives the power to be free from sin, death & fear or judgement.

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So technically the Devil could be saved? If the Devil did repent that would cause an awful lot of problems, wouldn't it? God is relying very heavily on the Devil not exercising his free will and accepting Jesus as saviour!

The devil was created as an angel who was to lead the praise of God after the creation account in Genesis 1:1. The reason for the fall of Lucifer (as he is called) was because of pride. Like any of God's creation, He gave us the freedom of choice. Angels were free to choose who they would worship...God or be tempted away by Satan (1/3 of the angels fell with him).
Ultimately...God is not mocked and Satan will have his day of judgement.

Celtic D said:

If God created everything (and I don't wish to discuss the mechanics here ) why did He create The Devil?

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Did God create the computer monitor you're looking at right now?

welshman said:

The devil was created as an angel who was to lead the praise of God after the creation account in Genesis 1:1. The reason for the fall of Lucifer (as he is called) was because of pride. Like any of God's creation, He gave us the freedom of choice. Angels were free to choose who they would worship...God or be tempted away by Satan (1/3 of the angels fell with him).
Ultimately...God is not mocked and Satan will have his day of judgement.

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Where does it say in the Bible that 1/3 of the Angels fell with him? And if that is the case what make's the Devil any worse than the rest of them?

theFijian said:

Did God create the computer monitor you're looking at right now?

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Care to explain to me how in any way your comment relates to the OP?

Rev 12:4,9
Because he was the annointed cherub, placed higher than the other angels.

welshman said:

Rev 12:4,9
Because he was the annointed cherub, placed higher than the other angels.

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Original point removed.

Sorry, misread the quoted verses, you answered my question.

Celtic D said:

Care to explain to me how in any way your comment relates to the OP?

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Well if that's too difficult a question, do you believe that God create the Devil?

theFijian said:

Well if that's too difficult a question, do you believe that God create the Devil?

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That's what I asked!

Celtic D said:

theFijian said:

Well if that's too difficult a question, do you believe that God create the Devil?

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That's what I asked!

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No, you didn't...

Celtic D said:

If God created everything (and I don't wish to discuss the mechanics here ) why did He create The Devil?

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"Did God create the Devil" and "Why did God create the Devil" are two different questions.

theFijia[C[CENTER said:

[/CENTER]ENTER][/CENTER]n;58644645]No, you didn't...

"Did God create the Devil" and "Why did God create the Devil" are two different questions.

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For the avoidance of any doubt I am not playing your silly games and will not be responding to any more of your sarcastic comments. When and if you decide you can hold a rational discussion I will reconsider!!!

Celtic D said:

For the avoidance of any doubt I am not playing your silly games and will not be responding to any more of your sarcastic comments. When and if you decide you can hold a rational discussion I will reconsider!!!

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You enjoy asking questions of other people but as soon as someone tries to analyse those questions you throw a hissy fit....what was that you were saying about rational discussion?

Thank you Welshman for your feedback on this thread