The Psychology of the Devil.

Dan Brooks

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The devil fell from Heaven like lightning when he was filled with pride and entertained the idea of being worshipped as God.
Luke 10:18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Isaiah 14:12-15
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Revelation 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.


The devil knows he is damned, and there is no redemption for him. It is most certain.
He knows he is going to the lake of fire, and not as its king, but to be tormented.
Knowing this, we wants as many to go down with him as he can possibly get. He already deceived a third of the angels and caused them to fall into damnation as well. And he also wants all of humanity to fall into damnation.
He also knows that because of sin, we are under condemnation by default, and that there is only one way out of it. He also knows that that one way is Jesus Christ.

So, since he wants as many people as possible to be damned, he does everything he possibly can to keep people away from Jesus. He will use the pleasures of this world, the philosophy/religion of atheistic evolutionism, (which the Bible calls "science falsely so-called"), and every religion under the sun including outright satanism. (Although satanism isn't really his favorite, because it tends to expose his real nature, and often turns people to Christ.)
He attempts to cause people to believe anything about Christ except the truth. He causes people to blaspheme Him, hate Him, ridicule Him, or even to respect Him, so long as they don't believe on Him for the salvation of their souls.
The devil even uses false versions of Christianity, with false gospels galore, to keep people from Christ. Any gospel that adds works to what Jesus has already done for us makes what He did insufficient. Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." And it is. Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us on the cross is completely sufficient for our salvation, and it is the only thing that is completely sufficient for it. The Bible says that any gospel other than that which is preached in Scripture is false and the preacher of it is accursed.
Galatians 1:8-9
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

The devil quite enjoys false religion, because it looks somewhat like light, and gives people some kind of false assurance that they are on the right path.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
But all these paths lead to destruction. They are wide and broad, and many.
Matthew 7:13-15
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life. And the narrow way isn't following hundreds of rules and hoping not to mess up too much. Jesus tells us what that narrow way is.
John 14:5-7
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

John 6:47
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

If you have found yourself subject to any of the devils schemes to keep you away from Jesus Christ, turn to the Savior today, and find life, and rest for your soul.

Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
 
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The devil even uses false versions of Christianity, with false gospels galore, to keep people from Christ.

So.
What criteria shall we use to determine with absolute certainty which gospel is the correct one?
 
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mkgal1

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Dan Brooks

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So.
What criteria shall we use to determine with absolute certainty which gospel is the correct one?
The word of God.
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
 
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awitch

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The word of God.

But the interpretations of the Word varies among denominations, sometimes to contradictory levels, so that alone is not sufficient.
 
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mkgal1

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The word of God.
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
I don't know if that's clear enough.....because a lot of people are using the Bible (as they have historically) to oppress other people and put them back into bondage (and are claiming their gospel is the "TRUE gospel"). So.....what are the characteristics of what's true?
 
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Dan Brooks

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Chip Ingram has --what I think is-- an excellent study of God's agenda vs the Satan's Agenda (using Acts). It's titled Unstoppable/Diabolical. It's mostly based on this verse:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.~John 10:10

That sounds interesting, mkgal :)
 
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rockytopva

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If E = mc2 then we can divide and conclude that...

Mass (m) = Energy (E/c2)

And there are three varieties...

Natural E/c2 - All mass is basically cooled plasma
Mental E/c2 - Mentally, A mathematical formula, but this has chemical and spiritual properties as well.
Spiritual E/c2 - E (motivation, warmth, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy)

Having been an Arch-Angel, and having a name as Lucifer, or light bearer, I can only think that Lucifer and his angels led the worship in heaven.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. - 2 Corinthians 11:14

The devil comes to earthlings as an angel of light. One to illuminate and to do good. You never see beer commercials with the homeless in skid row. It is a party like atmosphere that he delights most in.
 
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mkgal1

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That sounds interesting, mkgal :)
I recommend it. I downloaded the videos years ago, but did just find the audio on YT:

All the notes are online (so....if you are going to listen, I'd suggest you download those first). I believe all Christians ought to give it a listen (it's important to know how we can distinguish the genuine Gospel and a counterfeit).

This really makes a lot of sense of what was really going on when Stephen gave his speech (and when he was killed right after). There's a LOT in the subtext that I was missing before this study.
 
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cloudyday2

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This reminds me of the Japanese during WW2. The US gave Japan the wrong impression that "unconditional surrender" meant the loss of their Emperor who was a living god. So the Japanese government felt there was nothing to lose by fighting-on

So what is God offering Satan? Why not offer Satan the same kind of deal that we offered the Japanese Emperor? Then we might bring this war to a swift end.
 
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mkgal1

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So what is God offering Satan? Why not offer Satan the same kind of deal that we offered the Japanese Emperor? Then we might bring this war to a swift end.
Do you mean if God were to surrender to Satan then this war would be over? Do you really think that'd be "peace"? (Am I understanding you correctly?).
 
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cloudyday2

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Do you mean if God were to surrender to Satan then this war would be over? Do you really think that'd be "peace"? (Am I understanding you correctly?).
No, the US allowed Japan to keep their Emperor. God needs to allow Satan limited autonomy to rule the forces of evil (demons, agnostics, etc.) in his own territory. Hopefully over time, the forces of darkness can be integrated into the forces of lightness through friendly trade, etc.
 
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Dan Brooks

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But the interpretations of the Word varies among denominations, sometimes to contradictory levels, so that alone is not sufficient.
What would a possible misinterpretation of this be?
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
:

That is the gospel. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. And he says according to the Scriptures, of which there are many that attest to His crucifixion. He was buried, again attested in the Scriptures, and rose again the third day, also attested by many Scriptures. How does one misinterpret Jesus dying on the cross, being buried, and rising again from the dead?
This gospel says that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah (which one must believe in order not to die in their sins). So when one believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and that He, being the Messiah, died on the cross for that one's sins, and that He was buried, and rose again from the dead the third day, he is born again, and the blood of Christ which was shed for him cleanses him from all unrighteousness, and he is given the righteousness of Christ in it's place. He is put in right standing with God, and he is spiritually quickened, made alive, transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. He is, in a word, saved.

It is those differing interpretations of the gospel that I'm talking about. It isn't that the gospel isn't clear, it's that it gets muddied by the various denominations, and their misinterpretations of it. Some add baptism. Some add communion or some other ordinance. Some add living a sinless, or nearly sinless life. All kinds of things get added to the gospel to pervert it. But Paul tells us clearly what gospel it is to which he is referring.
It is Jesus, and only Jesus. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Most High God, who was obedient to the Father even to death on a cross, for our sakes, and rose again from the dead, that by believing on Him we will not perish, but have everlasting life.
The gospel really is simple. It's the devil and people that mess it up.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
 
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Dan Brooks

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No, the US allowed Japan to keep their Emperor. God needs to allow Satan limited autonomy to rule the forces of evil (demons, agnostics, etc.) in his own territory. Hopefully over time, the forces of darkness can be integrated into the forces of lightness through friendly trade, etc.
But there is no redemption for the angels who fell. Redemption is only possible for man.
 
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cloudyday2

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But there is no redemption for the angels who fell. Redemption is only possible for man.
Well we can hardly blame them for continuing to fight if God is giving them no way out.

Anyway, I know I'm sort of derailing what should be a more serious theological discussion, so I will stop being silly. :)
 
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mkgal1

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No, the US allowed Japan to keep their Emperor. God needs to allow Satan limited autonomy to rule the forces of evil (demons, agnostics, etc.) in his own territory. Hopefully over time, the forces of darkness can be integrated into the forces of lightness through friendly trade, etc.
Oh....I see (I am horrible in my knowledge of history). I believe that free will is important....but I am of the belief that goodness and light *does* eventually "win". One of the things Ingram says in the study is for us to remember that we "fight from victory.....not for victory".

But there is no redemption for the angels who fell. Redemption is only possible for man.
That's not what everyone believes.​

"Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”~Revelation 21:5
 
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Dan Brooks

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Well we can hardly blame them for continuing to fight if God is giving them no way out.

Anyway, I know I'm sort of derailing what should be a more serious theological discussion, so I will stop being silly. :)
That's precisely why they still do fight. They have absolutely nothing to lose. They've already lost.
 
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mkgal1

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There's a belief (that I'm in agreement with)....that there's a trajectory towards everything being restored back to the beginning (even before Satan and his demons fell). Alpha and Omega....beginning and end.....Genesis to Revelation can be seen as bookends (the only difference is that in the end all are perfected in Him fully by choice....with their eyes wide open and fully aware).
 
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