But he is also a master at exploiting the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. It's how he corrupted Adam and Eve.
Yes, the influence of lies, lies that appeal to the sinful nature of the flesh (nature) of man. Just like a fisherman uses bait to lure his catch, the father of lies uses propaganda to entice those who are prone to give in to his lie(s). I remember reading an account in a book regarding the drug cartels who are now known to be largely responsible for the influx of the pills that are killing our country (opioids). As drug treatment/counseling facilities began popping up around the areas affected by opioid abuse the cartels actually targeted those locales with dealers, so that when the struggling addict came out of the session to cure them of their enslavement the dealer was right there preying on their vulnerabilities (in effort to keep their "business" in tact). The ideas that persist since that first lie in the garden ("your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods") are still very much used actively to ensnare humanity.How? Exacly how, does Satan blind the minds of them which believe not - through influence? is that what you are saying?
What does Mr Henry mean when he says that "he darkens the understandings of men and increases their prejudices and supports his interest by keeping them in the dark, blinding their minds with ignorance . . "
Is he saying that Satan doesn't actively do that but that, that is the result of what happens when his slaves, the multitudes of the world, pay hommage to him?
What y'all are saying (I think) is that it isn't necessary for the devil to be in multiple places at the same time to blind the minds of people the world over BECAUSE the lies that he has told in the past
No, I'm not saying that people "love Satan" (at least not all people), but rather that they sometimes are willing participants (even in ignorance) to Satan's "worldly" plan.and the great love that the multidudes have for him, will cause them not to believe - on their own; that he blinds them through influence not through personal action.
Is that right?
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The Screwtape Letters is an excellent treatise on human nature. Throughout the book, "wise" old Uncle Screwtape is counseling his young nephew, Wormwood, on how to use the human psyche to distract people, particularly believers from focusing on God.If you want more on 'how?', might I recommend The Screwtape Letters? It has been called by those with insight, 'the psychology of temptation,'...for these modern days, anyway.
Say what? Satan is in NO WAY omnipresent. He does however have millions of fallen angels and demons at his disposal to use as he sees fit. And, there are millions, if not billions of people who are following his leading..
In this passage, was the apostle Paul intimating that Satan is omnipresent like Jehovah is, so that he could blind mutliple people at the same time
OR
was the apositle Paul saying that there are only a few non beleivers so few that Satan would be able to get to them all - one at a time?
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Say what? Satan is in NO WAY omnipresent. He does however have millions of fallen angels and demons at his disposal to use as he sees fit. And, there are millions, if not billions of people who are following his leading.
Why is that?But I do suspect that we and the universe were and was designed
It's America, and we're a bunch of Baptists (mostly) here, so it's a good thing to express your true belief Gringo. I wouldn't try to convince any man/woman against their will. I am a strong believer in individual soul liberty. That being said, Jesus wasn't as syncretistic and didn't leave such options...To any one religion, indeed, I am "spiritually blind". But I do suspect that we and the universe were and was designed (wonderfully so) and apart from that, I will not be adamant on spiritual ideas (as to the future and what will happen) whether they come from the Koran, the Bible, the Book of Morman or Viveka Cudamani of Sri Sankaracarya or any other "sacred" source.
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.Why is that?
I don't either. From an engineering perspective you see "design intent".
I could go into a far more detailed and longer response but to get right to the point:
My elbows
My knees
My fingers
Yesterday, I was in the bathroom getting ready and I dropped something.
I BENT down and picked it up with ease . . .
I see a design there. My atheist friend once explained to me that it's like putting a golf ball on the green. It just lands where it does by chance and our bodies evolved by the same chance.
I don't agree with her.