Are there evil forces that make evil people do evil things?

[archangelmichael]

I withdraw the question.

Michael

 

[TrustingmyLord]

Well, I am not well educated on the situations in the middle east, or the end times, but I can give you a basic answer to your questions. My opinions anyway.

Are there evil forces at work in the world that make evil people do evil things?

Yes and no. Mostly yes. There is definitely a spiritual battle going on and yes, evil forces are real. But, I am not sure they MAKE people do things.

I believe they tempt and decieve, and not just evil people, we are all tempted and vulnerable to deception. But as Christians we have Gods help to overcome temptation and we have his word to help us keep from being decieved.

All the non Christians out there, most dont realize all this is going on, so I feel that they are far more easy for Satan to use, tempt, decieve. So yes, I suppose America is incredibly vulnerable, as we are lacking in Christians and overloaded with worldly culture.

 

[ContentInHim]

I agree with Joel Rosenberg and I loved Epicenter!

As a pew-sitting Christian, I thought that it was ignorant to believe that there was anything like spiritual warfare. Now, as a born-again believer, I KNOW that spiritual warfare exists and that one of my jobs as a believer is to pray that evil be overcome per God's plan!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Oh yes. I believe that the reason God returned a remnant of the Jews back to their ancient land was to finally begin the process of the end.

 

[davidoffinland]

From Finland.

Things will happen to G-D´s time table...I can not be over-concerned with things like this. I must be alert and safe in my Heavenly Father´s care...I have heard ever since I was a teen, some religious people say the end times will involve Russia or China or Turkey or Arabs and Islam or the Nations of the World against Israel and the Jewish people. Even though books like this may be interesting...I have to leave it as is...but being alert in Him!

In Him, david.

 

[Stinker]

Joel Rosenberg has written a book entitled, "Epicenter" that states that Jerusalem is the epicenter of global problems and that this is really spiritual warfare being played out on the planet between the forces of evil and the armies of God.

He maintains that the west is in for many more and worse terror attacks in the future because the west refuses to recognize the fact there are evil forces at work in the world that make evil people do evil things.

This spiritual warfare will lead up to and include the Final Battle at Armageddon between the forces of the Antichrist and the armies of God, led spiritually by Michael the Archangel.

[link to anewknighthood.blogspot.com]
(The Last Battle)

Do you agree? Why?
Do you disagree? Why?

[link to anewknighthood.blogspot.com]

Michael

The West has already been under financial and economic attack for the last 30 years by the rich who control our courts and politicians. Those who were identified as Middle East terrorists that have (or those who could have) physically attacked us, may have been our agents (now or in the past). Who is ordering their activities may be those high in our business community or or high in our government.


"....evil forces at work in the world that make evil people do evil things." Morally evil spiritual forces manipulate people that are comfortable in being guided by their carnal nature. The only people who are not susceptible to these kinds of spiritual forces are believers, who by their born-again nature, adhere to the moral/spiritual principles found in the New Testament.


The U.S. may never be attacked by any kind of foreign terrorists because we are rapidly becoming a 3rd world nation like the country these 'terrorists' come from.

 

[PaladinValer]

Me thinks you give Satan more credit than he is due.

You must remember that we cause our own confusion, our own errors, our own mistakes, and our own pain. It is our choices, when they are influenced only by our will, that often give us grief.

The idea that we can use Satan as a scapegoat is, perhaps, the worst thing we can do. Instead of admitting to ourselves that I didn't listen, we can put the blame on something else. That doesn't help us; it prevents us to learn the lesson we need to learn.

Please, do not make the Devil the object of all your faults. If anything, Satan loves it when we do blame him, since he is credited for nothing, which gives him more and more evidence to be used against us in the Final Judgment. And there, even though he is called the evil one, any false accusations we issue against him, we will be judged upon.

So be very, very, very careful of who you blame.

The Devil possesses a supernatural intellect and is wise beyond anything we could possibly assume. Do you or I honestly think that he would act in such a plainly obvious way?

The Devil knows each of us better than we know ourselves. If he were to strike, it would be in a way and in an area that would have the most devistating effect on us, leading, perhaps, into actual demonic possession, though it rarely ever goes that far; the Devil realizes that he need only go so far as he needs ("why go further when I don't need to?" attitude; perfectly fitting his haughty disposition).

I very much doubt the Devil is the cause of much strife in this world. We humans make him almost unnesessary: we murder, we cheat, we rape, we point fingers, etc, all by our little 'ole selves.

Here's the biggest deception the Devil has actually concocted; I admit its the most brilliant, imaginative, and truly horrifying probably truth I can think of: he has, absolutely magnificantly, made us think that he's behind everything! Its marveously, almost irresistably tempting idea to believe in, and as for proof, just look (OP, Cola, you're both excluded; please don't think I'm referring to either of you) at all the poor saps who simply cry "the Devil made me do it"!!! We humans do it all the time! Who here wants to admit their faults? NO ONE! And we torment inwardly because we know its truly our fault; it festers, twists, and turns, drawing us deeper and deeper into darkness and away from the Light of Christ.

So the Devil doesn't even need to raise a finger; merely laugh hilariously as people continue to fall into this stupendously sneaky and outright spellbindingly strategic plan. He only needs to act when he can cause the most damage: when we literally blame him to the point that it invites him in!

Just think about it. You have a being, as I said before, of supernatural intellect and wisdom. How would you act if you basically know it all (intellect) and know how to do it in the best way to the fullest effect (wisdom)? You know the weakness of the human race; our fallen souls and corrupt nature which has created a huge gulf between us and God as well as an advanced ego. Its the perfect plan; assalt that with the deception that its all his fault...it got Eve and it gets us today.

The Devil did not cause Eve to pick the fruit; she did. It was her choice, and the reason why the serpent was silent was because he didn't force her hand. He merely implanted a suggestion. To that, the Devil is guilty, but for making Eve forcibly pluck that fruit and partake, he's innocent!

How befitting the prince of guile and deceit.

 

[FreeinChrist]

1Pe 5:8 Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 But resist him, firm in {your} faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

 

[archangelmichael]

Well, I am not well educated on the situations in the middle east, or the end times, but I can give you a basic answer to your questions. My opinions anyway.

Are there evil forces at work in the world that make evil people do evil things?

Yes and no. Mostly yes. There is definitely a spiritual battle going on and yes, evil forces are real. But, I am not sure they MAKE people do things.

I believe they tempt and decieve, and not just evil people, we are all tempted and vulnerable to deception. But as Christians we have Gods help to overcome temptation and we have his word to help us keep from being decieved.

All the non Christians out there, most dont realize all this is going on, so I feel that they are far more easy for Satan to use, tempt, decieve. So yes, I suppose America is incredibly vulnerable, as we are lacking in Christians and overloaded with worldly culture.

Thanks Trusting,
Your well thought out answer is appreciated. I particularly agree with your last paragraph about Americas pop culture and our vulnerability.
Michael

 

[archangelmichael]

I agree with Joel Rosenberg and I loved Epicenter!

As a pew-sitting Christian, I thought that it was ignorant to believe that there was anything like spiritual warfare. Now, as a born-again believer, I KNOW that spiritual warfare exists and that one of my jobs as a believer is to pray that evil be overcome per God's plan!

While spiritual warfare is not a easy topic to discuss, I believe that, like you, we all have to wake up to the fact that it exists and we are to overcome by putting on the 'whole armor of God', as prescribed in Ephesians.

Michael

 

[archangelmichael]

Oh yes. I believe that the reason God returned a remnant of the Jews back to their ancient land was to finally begin the process of the end.

Agreed, and when He returns, may he find us ready and waiting!

Michael

 

[archangelmichael]

From Finland.

Things will happen to G-D´s time table...I can not be over-concerned with things like this. I must be alert and safe in my Heavenly Father´s care...I have heard ever since I was a teen, some religious people say the end times will involve Russia or China or Turkey or Arabs and Islam or the Nations of the World against Israel and the Jewish people. Even though books like this may be interesting...I have to leave it as is...but being alert in Him!

In Him, david.

David,
Things 'will' happen in G-d's timetable as you say. The end times will involve the nations you mention, and more. Sometimes I wish I could leave it as is, but we all have different callings and we all must be about our appointed tasks. Please keep out intentions in your prayers.

Michael

 

[archangelmichael]

The West has already been under financial and economic attack for the last 30 years by the rich who control our courts and politicians. Those who were identified as Middle East terrorists that have (or those who could have) physically attacked us, may have been our agents (now or in the past). Who is ordering their activities may be those high in our business community or or high in our government.


"....evil forces at work in the world that make evil people do evil things." Morally evil spiritual forces manipulate people that are comfortable in being guided by their carnal nature. The only people who are not susceptible to these kinds of spiritual forces are believers, who by their born-again nature, adhere to the moral/spiritual principles found in the New Testament.


The U.S. may never be attacked by any kind of foreign terrorists because we are rapidly becoming a 3rd world nation like the country these 'terrorists' come from.

Stinker,
You make some good observations about the not so obvious manipulations of our own government in world affairs.
I, however, disagree with your comment about us not being attacked again. I think we are looking more and more like a third world country in many ways, but that will not get us off the hook with radical Muslims that will keep attacking us until we change our foreign policies, and that may not stop the attacks as they are for the most part Mulsims v Christians and Jews.

Michael

 

[archangelmichael]

Me thinks you give Satan more credit than he is due.

You must remember that we cause our own confusion, our own errors, our own mistakes, and our own pain. It is our choices, when they are influenced only by our will, that often give us grief.

The idea that we can use Satan as a scapegoat is, perhaps, the worst thing we can do. Instead of admitting to ourselves that I didn't listen, we can put the blame on something else. That doesn't help us; it prevents us to learn the lesson we need to learn.

Please, do not make the Devil the object of all your faults. If anything, Satan loves it when we do blame him, since he is credited for nothing, which gives him more and more evidence to be used against us in the Final Judgment. And there, even though he is called the evil one, any false accusations we issue against him, we will be judged upon.

So be very, very, very careful of who you blame.

The Devil possesses a supernatural intellect and is wise beyond anything we could possibly assume. Do you or I honestly think that he would act in such a plainly obvious way?

The Devil knows each of us better than we know ourselves. If he were to strike, it would be in a way and in an area that would have the most devistating effect on us, leading, perhaps, into actual demonic possession, though it rarely ever goes that far; the Devil realizes that he need only go so far as he needs ("why go further when I don't need to?" attitude; perfectly fitting his haughty disposition).

I very much doubt the Devil is the cause of much strife in this world. We humans make him almost unnesessary: we murder, we cheat, we rape, we point fingers, etc, all by our little 'ole selves.

Here's the biggest deception the Devil has actually concocted; I admit its the most brilliant, imaginative, and truly horrifying probably truth I can think of: he has, absolutely magnificantly, made us think that he's behind everything! Its marveously, almost irresistably tempting idea to believe in, and as for proof, just look (OP, Cola, you're both excluded; please don't think I'm referring to either of you) at all the poor saps who simply cry "the Devil made me do it"!!! We humans do it all the time! Who here wants to admit their faults? NO ONE! And we torment inwardly because we know its truly our fault; it festers, twists, and turns, drawing us deeper and deeper into darkness and away from the Light of Christ.

So the Devil doesn't even need to raise a finger; merely laugh hilariously as people continue to fall into this stupendously sneaky and outright spellbindingly strategic plan. He only needs to act when he can cause the most damage: when we literally blame him to the point that it invites him in!

Just think about it. You have a being, as I said before, of supernatural intellect and wisdom. How would you act if you basically know it all (intellect) and know how to do it in the best way to the fullest effect (wisdom)? You know the weakness of the human race; our fallen souls and corrupt nature which has created a huge gulf between us and God as well as an advanced ego. Its the perfect plan; assalt that with the deception that its all his fault...it got Eve and it gets us today.

The Devil did not cause Eve to pick the fruit; she did. It was her choice, and the reason why the serpent was silent was because he didn't force her hand. He merely implanted a suggestion. To that, the Devil is guilty, but for making Eve forcibly pluck that fruit and partake, he's innocent!

How befitting the prince of guile and deceit.

Paladin,
I was going to go line by line and comment on the various statements, some I agree, some not so much.
I think I will just include two lines from an answer I received from 'Free in Christ' as he said it well.
1Pe 5:8 Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
and
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

Michael

 

[archangelmichael]

1Pe 5:8 Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 But resist him, firm in {your} faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

Thanks Free in Christ, I could not have said it better!

Michael

 

[PaladinValer]

1Pe 5:8 Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 But resist him, firm in {your} faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

Asked and answered. Null and void.

Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

Rulers; powers; principalities...all various forms of angels.

Even the fallen angels are not evil in and of themselves. Once again, we have here Manicheanism. Evil has no substance; there is nothing to fight again, as that verse shows though you misinterpreted it.

Paladin,
I was going to go line by line and comment on the various statements, some I agree, some not so much.
I think I will just include two lines from an answer I received from 'Free in Christ' as he said it well.
1Pe 5:8 Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
and
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.}

Michael

You and she are both simply wrong.

 

[archangelmichael]

Asked and answered. Null and void.



Rulers; powers; principalities...all various forms of angels.

Even the fallen angels are not evil in and of themselves. Once again, we have here Manicheanism. Evil has no substance; there is nothing to fight again, as that verse shows though you misinterpreted it.



You and she are both simply wrong.

Then we shall just agree to disagree.
Thanks for the input.

Michael

 

[davidoffinland]

From Finland.

Michael...please keep out intentions in your prayers????? What do you mean?

In Him, david.

 

[archangelmichael]

From Finland.

Michael...please keep out intentions in your prayers????? What do you mean?

In Him, david.

To pray for the intentions of the Knights of Michael is a request to keep them safe from physical or spiritual harm as they form, and as they do their tasks.

The blog site is not well developed yet but it is coming and if you go there, which I believe you have, you can learn more in the coming days about just what the Knights of Michael hope to accomplish.

The link to my blog site is available on my profile page. If you think it has merit, please forward to all you think may benefit. Thanks!

Michael