Biblical Evils of Satan

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Can anyone, preferably some knowledgable about the Bible site for me some specific examples of Satan committing acts of evil?

I couldn't find any when I was looking that were the type of evil that people attribute to him today or even really ones that were similar. I don't want to make a snap judgement though, and I admit that I'm not exactly a Biblical expert. If anyone could assist on this that'd be great. Thanks.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

From the first book of Job

6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD , and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD , "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.

11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD .

13 One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Also when Satan tricked Eve, that was evil.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Hm... me an my boyfriend went over that a bit when we were talking about this last night (rather late actually, but after a weekend you're sleep schedual's out of whack anyway... )

Now, the passages you post indicate that God simply allowed Satan to destory what Job had. In that case Satan would be committing an evil act (or series there of actually). In the Bible (no I don't know what version, sorry-don't really pay attention to those things, especially when sleepy) we refferenced it seemed more as though Satan egged God on, but God was the one who took the actions that destroyed what Job had.

Is this a usual discrepancy? Do certian versions make it seem one way, and others another? If so... how can I tell which is the official position of the Bible on this? (please don't let this inquiry confuse you, i'm not christian, but I also don't want to be ignorant on the finer points of the Bible forever)

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Now, when Satan 'tricked' Eve, could he not have just been trying to recruit Adam and herself in his rebellion against God (some would say that's evil, but it's not really... um... how can I put this... EVIL I guess.)

Satan seems to have simply not wanted to serve God. That's not exactly a great thing, but it's not exactly evil not to want to serve is it? I don't know... I'm trying to keep this objective and I think it's a very subjective thing... evil... so... hrm.

Personally I don't see tempting Eve as 'evil' so much. But it was underhanded.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I'm off to school now, I'm bring my Bible, I'll do some research on this and post back when I get home around 5,

God Bless!
Jeff

 

[FatherApe]

Sounds like you have such a liberal definition of 'evil' that not much would qualify as such. Would you for instance, consider lying and deceit evil when used to con someone out of their salvation? Would you concede that satan's apparent chief purpose appears to be working toward that end.. even to the point of tempting Christ himself while fasting in the desert?

Remember that satan convinced a thrd of the angels in heaven to follow him to earth. Have you seen the New Testament Gospel accounts of Christ healing people by casting out demons?

Have you ever done anything which might have invited them into your own life? Perhaps there's a reason for your inability to see evil for what it is?

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Just a heads up, let's keep this on topic.

[noflame]

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Sounds like you have such a liberal definition of 'evil' that not much would qualify as such. Would you for instance, consider lying and deceit evil when used to con someone out of their salvation? Would you concede that satan's apparent chief purpose appears to be working toward that end.. even to the point of tempting Christ himself while fasting in the desert?

I was under the impression that Eve, Job and even Jesus were pre-salvation cases. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I honestly do want to understand and I'm willing to keep a fairly open mind about it.
Lying and deceit are wrong, but not nessasarily 'evil'. Killing people is evil, stabbing your friend in the back without any reason is evil, rape is evil. Lying I suppose would be evil, but a lesser sort of evil than those others listed.

The temptation of Christ is something we touched on last night also. Was Satan really trying to wrong Christ and God, or was he simply of the mind that being cruicifed for humanity was not a good idea? Offering a guy food and water doesn't seem too terrible if the offer is sincere...

Like I said, I'm just trying to get a handle on what the Biblical position really illustrates.

 

[FatherApe]

You will not post any messages that harass, insult, belittle, threaten or flame another member or guest. You may discuss another member's beliefs but there will be no personal attacks on the member himself or herself. This includes implied accusations that another member is not a Christian.

Please be specific about what you've decided is 'flaming' in this thread??

 

[FatherApe]

OK, so on 2nd read, mebbe one of us was a little blunt.. but I wouldn't call it flaming. Whilst I'm here, all penitent and all, I'd like to recommend a good book which dwells on this topic in great detail with great Biblical (and other) supporting references..


"The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare" by Dr. Ed Murphy.

 

[yajyu]

To understand what is so evil about what satan has done in the bible, i believe that we need to understand GOD's intention for both man, and Satan. First off Satan was not just some angle. He was in the class of arch angle, of which there are only three known angles, Lucafer, Gebrial, and Michal, forgive the spelling, it's late and I'm tired. It is believed that these three, were made by GOD for the soul perpose of relastionship with GOD. HE(GOD) made them with the freewill, just like us. so that they could have oneness with GOD, just like we can. Because these three were ment to be so close to GOD, HE made them specal, and unique. To each one HE gave a specal gift, and athority. But to Satan, he gave music, and he was in chrage of worshiping GOD. Satan haveing all this at his power, he started to believe that, he was the only one fit to be god. so at this point he staged a rebellion. He, of corse was no mach for GOD, so he was cast out of heaven. His first show of eivl. that is found in the book of Isaiah among other places. and from then on satan has been trying everything in his power to distroy GOD kingdom. and more often then not he(Satan) attacks us. which is the weakest link, so to speak, of GOD's kingdom. He will do anything in his power to hurt us, cause when he hurts us he indirectly hurts GOD.

anyway i hope that helps, and if not let me know and i'll try to clear things up. but as for me... IT'S BED TIME.
later

 

[artnalex]

He was in the class of arch angle, of which there are only three known angles, Lucafer, Gebrial, and Michal, forgive the spelling, it's late and I'm tired.

You forgot the angel Raphael!

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Hmm... well the discussion continues in rl between me and my bf. Neither one of us is Christian, although were were both raised chrstian (his mother's a sunday school teacher). The tenative conclusion that we have come to is that Satan is just an anarchist trying to bring people out of the establishment while trying to fight that same establishment (in this case being God) Basically, didn't Satan merely say "I will not serve"? Isn't that really the root of it?

 

[Rafael]

It is much more than not serving. Satan wanted to be God and usurp His power. He didn't want to be the creature, but the Creator which is the same problem men have. We want that power too, but it just is not the reality. God has offered the status of brother to men that love Him as Sons of God, but if that is not enough, man can choose to not be a brother. Now, being a brother is not a bad deal and believing that obedience to brotherhood is bad doesn't make sense. Some people want to take your money and think that they should have the freedom to rob and steal from you. It comes down to trust and justice - choose between he who would rob and steal from you or He who would give His own life and suffer terrible pain in order to buy you back from death.

 

[yajyu]

I just realized that i was "preaching" on the evils of "Angle". Acute angle are from the Devil!!! Scary!!! JK! but you all know what I meant. I hope.

anyway, it almost sounds like your trying to stick up for Satan. Jesus talks about him in the gospels, saying that Satan comes only to hurt us. Which is Evil, because we're not involved in anything that is between Satan, and GOD. We, so to speak, are innocent. meaning we have done noting to disserve, his(Satan) hatred. He attacks us simply because GOD loves us more. He hurts us out of spite, and bitterness towards GOD. That is as the worst kind of evil. to try to attack, and kill, the innocent, just because you hate someone.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

I'm not 'defending' Satan as such, but I am trying to take a non-biased view of what he really did, and what might have motivated him to do so...

 

[yajyu]

Yeah, I know, I didn't mean anything from that I was just making an observation that it almost sounds like you are trying to stand up for him, but if I offened, or if I said something that sounded like i was coming at you you I am truly sorry, By no means do I want to, or sound like i am attacking you. Truly, I just want to help anwser your questions, and I hope I did.

 

[yajyu]

Truly, if I have sin against you please let me know so I can seek your forgiveness.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

No, don't get worked up. I'm fine see: That's me.


Thank you for being concearened though.