Flee from what?

[Insight]

"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"

Many misled Christians use this verse to support a supernatural monster a fallen one from heavens abode who rages war against Gods subjects.

Certainly no context is given here in James 4:6,7,8 for such a being.

In what sense will this form of the devil flee from those resisting it? The expression is military in its concept. James has described how lust was warring in the members of the Jewish-Christian community. The only way to conquer such inordinate desires, he suggests, is to view them as a bitter enemy, and so resist them as a soldier would his opponent on the field of battle. Let that be done in faith, and victory is assured.

The devil (be it the lusts of the flesh, or any other form of opposition) will retreat, or flee, leaving the faithful in possession of the field. The Greek word signifies, to range in battle against. It is in the Middle Voice signifying to set oneself against; that is to prepare oneself to resist. The word "flee" is used figuratively of fleeing fornication (1 Cor 6:18), idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14), other evils (1 Tim. 6:11), youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22). In this fight of faith we are instructed to "arm ourselves" with the mind of Christ (1 Pet. 4:1).

In fighting the lusts ot the devil (flesh), we are instructed to "mortify" or put to death fleshly inclinations. The first move towards that end is to resist the devil (sin in the flesh as per Rom. 7:5, 15-23; Heb. 2:14) with the ultimate objective of putting the lust of the flesh to death entirely (Col 3:5).

Insight

 

[Insight]

Jesus perefectly through his Fathers strenght achieved Col 3:5 and thereby destroying the devil in himself, that is, his body. For in his body dwelt the law of sin and death so through weakness (death is weak) God in His son was able to remove the law of sin and death forever. Heb 2:14,15.

Insight

 

[veteran]

The devil, Satan, is a real entity per God's Word. He is a heavenly 'cherub' per Ezekiel 28.

Per Job 1 & 2, Satan appeared before God's Throne in Heaven.

Satan tempted Christ Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days and nights per The Gospel.

In Isaiah 14 is given a metaphor about his captivity in the pit, with those who look at him saying, "Is this the man that...?"


Ideas that Satan is NOT a real entity usually comes from man's philosophy like Pantheism. The idea of Pantheism doesn't even treat our Heavenly Father Himself as an Entity, but instead as a 'force' only that dwells in things, and makes up all things. Pantheism is an idea that has led many... to wrongly worship the creation, instead of The Creator Himself (Romans 1). It's an idea linked to earth worship, elemental worship, ceremonial magic, and the occult.

 

[Insight]

The devil, Satan, is a real entity per God's Word. He is a heavenly 'cherub' per Ezekiel 28.

Is devil, satan mentioned in Ezek 28? Which means you are inferring something which is not stated and is not within the context of the King of Tyre.

Per Job 1 & 2, Satan appeared before God's Throne in Heaven.

More likely those of his number who were jealous at his prosperity - The adversary is only mentioned in the first 3 chapters then disappears from the narrative.

Of course you would need to look beyond the make believe to see the adversary cannot be supernatural.

Satan tempted Christ Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days and nights per The Gospel.

Veteran, you cannot prove from Matt 4 the "adversary" is supernatural, in fact, nowhere in the Bible teaches a supernatural adversary, only the opposite.

In Isaiah 14 is given a metaphor about his captivity in the pit, with those who look at him saying, "Is this the man that...?"

These are old chestnuts which you continually quote out of context do become tiresome. Again no mention of devil or satan! No mention of the supernatural or the palaver that surrounds the fiery place of torment.

But this passage is about the king of Babylon (Isa 14:4), a "man" (Isa 14:18).

Ideas that Satan is NOT a real entity usually comes from man's philosophy like Pantheism. The idea of Pantheism doesn't even treat our Heavenly Father Himself as an Entity, but instead as a 'force' only that dwells in things, and makes up all things. Pantheism is an idea that has led many... to wrongly worship the creation, instead of The Creator Himself (Romans 1). It's an idea linked to earth worship, elemental worship, ceremonial magic, and the occult.

As per your usual approach to distract rather than dealing with this false doctine head on. Pantheism! you and I both know your devil has its roots in pagan beliefs spanning 1000's of years.

You continue in a long line of Magi upholding thier scientific beliefs in place of the truth of the Bible.

Heb 2:14,15 the Devil is dead.

Insight

 

[Insight]

No one can disagree with this meaning of the word "devil".

Diabolos

What does this mean?

As mentioned it is derived from diaballo, this is made up of two words:

1. dia - through
2. ballo - to strike, to pierce (as with an arrow)

Diaballo means to pierce through likened to a man‘s character when attacked by false charges of another his character is pierced through, this word diaballo means also to calumniate, which is to pierce through with the darts of slander. The idea behind this slander implies that the accusations are false, the term diabolos means false-accuser.

The proper meaning of the word diabolos is false-accuser, the improper meaning is ― devil, this improper interpretation having been first given by the translators of the Scriptures into Greek; a rendering Leigh remarks, nowhere else sampled (i.e., so used) in any Greek author. The derivation of this word thus proves that false-accuser, is the correct translation.

Therefore, unlike the term Satan, it is impossible to find anywhere in the Scripture of Truth a good "false accuser".

A contradiction of terms.

Insight

 

[Insight]

So where in the NT has this word been translated correctly?

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false-accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away, 2 Tim. 3:1,2,3KJV.

Here the word devil is correctly rendered "false-accusers" i.e diabolos

The interpretation given to it in thirty-five other passages in the common translation. But it is not the proper rendering: the proper translation has been given in this passage.

We shall see other passages where this word is translated correctly.

Insight.

 

[Insight]

Paul, in writing to Timothy respecting the wives of deacons, observes, ― Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things, 1 Timothy 3:11KJV

The phrase, not slanderers, is, in the original, is diaboloi, not devils-that is, if the proper meaning of the word diabolos is - devil. The translators here were obliged to translate the word correctly for the same reason of mind that caused them to obey the audacious mandate of King James to translate the word ecclesia, church, and not assembly or congragation, which everyone present understands to be its proper meaning.

And again.

The aged women, likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false-accusers, Titus 2:3KJV

The phrase rendered not false-accusers is diabolous, not devils - if devil be the proper meaning of the word diabolos. The translators, however, have here again, by the undoubted application of the term to women, been obliged to translate the word correctly, and have themselves afforded a second evidence that diabolos means false-accuser.

I forgot to mention in all of these passages the word Devil is applied to human beings, and not to any supernatural, invisible beings - a fact well worthy of being noted as we go forward through the record.

 

[Insight]

An important question is presented - if the phrase “false-accuser” or “slanderer” is the proper translation in these passages, why would diabolos be translated otherwise throughout the Scriptures?

Why should the Translators, or, more correctly, the Revisers of the Scriptures, not have rendered the word uniformly throughout?

As we shall plainly see the answer will involve a "common-sense" approach to each passage given in context of its meaning.

Sadly, many Christians use a blanket approach to Bible Study and thereofre lose the valuable lessons found within each passage.

Insight

 

[Prentis]

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
How can our only enemy be the flesh if indeed we fight 'spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places'?

 

[Insight]

Nice try Prentis.

The issue confronting (you) the deceived Christian is whether they are willing to adopt this primary meaning of the word diabolos?

How does this change your preconceived notions of “devil” and will you act upon this understanding to discover deeper and more profound truth?

We shall see!

 

[Prentis]

Nice try, Insight (or lack thereof)

The issue confronting you is how many verses you have to ignore to make your pet doctrines even feasibly true

 

[Insight]

We keep going with our investigation.

We all know the Truth is harmonious, but how does the introduction of the actual meaning of the word diabolos assist us with other more elusive passages? How does the correct rendering of “devil” make the Bible more intelligible and practically useful?

If you are not willing to reconsider your current understanding and behave as Prentis (just revealed) by throwing up random passages which he percieves to understand but clearly does not?

Then will you ever discover more than you know today?

Probably not.

 

[Insight]

For those who are willing to hear the Master we find there were times when disciples went back to Jesus and there were times when disciples walk with Jesus no more. John 6:66.

These were they who love themselves in their natures and they were deceived, in doing so they falsely accused Christ of deceiving them, and so forsook him.

Their departure allowed Jesus to ask the twelve and important question:

Will you also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son, of the living God. See John 6:67,68,69.

To this rejoinder of Simon was the distressing information imparted by the Lord:

Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? John 6:70.

You couldn’t get plainer speaking. Jesus in speaking to the twelve men, and one of these men, he said, is a devil?

The Common Version would express what said much differently:

Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a diabolos, a false-accuser.

One of the disciples referred to is a false-accuser, or course speaking to his character. Judas it was who would betray Jesus, John 6:70 - pierce him through by false accusation.

Now does this context support a supernatural monster of providing us insight in the character and consequence?

The other problem we have is that Judas is a man and therefore a devil must also me a man.

In reality, once the common idea is overturned that a supernatural being is not the correct understanding of diabolos and in fact to mean false accuser we can gain a more thorough understanding of the record.

However, it’s a step few conventional Christians like Prentis are willing to make.

Some prefer to believe in lies and take great courage in them.

Insight

 

[Insight]

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
How can our only enemy be the flesh if indeed we fight 'spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places'?

Ok let’s examine your understanding of Eph 6:12KJV

So I assume you mean these supernatural demons and monsters are all with God is His Heavenly realm? Is this what you would have us believe?

Heavenly realms to mean Eph 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; Tit 3:1KJV ???

Or will you come back with some elaborate story of multiple heavens or such like nonsense?

Whatever your response...it shall be examined thoroughly against the Word.

Lets see Prentis.

Hey...Titus 3:1KJV must hurt - - the truth is not what you expect Prentis!

 

[Prentis]

Eph 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual (G4152) wickedness in high places.

G4152
πνευματικός
pneumatikos
phyoo-mat-ik-os'
From
G4151; non-carnal, that is, (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious: - spiritual. Compare G5591.

What we fight is not carnal, but spiritual, it is not the flesh. That is, we fight in the spirit. By this we overcome, yes, the flesh, but also spiritual enemies. Not of ourselves, but God gives us victory.

 

[Insight]

Eph 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual (G4152) wickedness in high places.

G4152
πνευματικός
pneumatikos
phyoo-mat-ik-os'
From
G4151; non-carnal, that is, (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious: - spiritual. Compare G5591.

What we fight is not carnal, but spiritual, it is not the flesh.

Context Prentis Context! Eph 6:11

Who perform the evil schemes? "wiles" in the Greek "methodia").

WARNING!!! Only other usage found in Eph 4:14: "the cunning and craftiness of MEN in their deceitful SCHEMING".

So by context the spiritual scheming of the "devil" = the scheming of "men".

You can run Prentis but you cannot hide from the context, nor can you create something out of this passage which is not there. The Spiritual can be used of men both for good and evil - do I need to prove this also?

Context:-

Let me see Eph 6:1 Speaks to Children = Human
Let me see Eph 6:5,6, Eph 6:7 Speaks of Slaves and Servants = Human

And who was Paul imprisoned by when writing this Epistle?

Answer: Eph 6:12

Sorry, no imaginary supernatural beings found here!

But by all means keep looking!

Insight

Did you notice the use of the word false accuser in Eph 6:11 ???

 

[Insight]

The next step in the betrayal of the Christ further reveals the false accuser is the proper understanding of the word diabolos.

And supper being ended the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon‘s son, to betray him, John 13:2.

Many think this passages argues strongly in favour of a literal supernatural devil, because, it is said, that “the devil having now put into or entered, the heart of Judas.

But it is quite clear that this cannot be literally true, for no Devil could put anything into the heart of a person; and, it is further evident that if a devil is to be regarded as a distinct being, Judas was already a devil, for Jesus called him so; and how could one devil enter into another devil? and, what is more difficult still, into the heart of that other devil; which must have been the case if Judas, “already a devil, one of you is a devil, had a devil enter his heart.

But if it you understood the word devil; to represent not only a human being who falsely accuses, but the state of mind from where false accusations come: it represents the ruling, active, often selfish, accusing state of mind, which entering a man that is, gaining rule in, or possession of, his mind - creates in the man those mental states by which the man, as a false-accuser, manifests himself, the matter becomes quite clear, and all contradictions cease.

The narrative then informs us that Judas, in his betrayal, was a false accuser, at last became so much the servant of the self-love principle, the accusing his master, choosing to become a slave in carrying out its desire.

 

[Insight]

Another passage where the word diabolos is translated incorrectly as devil is found in Acts 13.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: which was with the deputy of the country. Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul (who also is called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtilty, and all mischief thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right was of the Lord? Acts 13:6,7,8,9,10.

What does this record prove?

 

[Insight]

That Elymas, not content with his sorceries, falsely represented to Sergius Paulus the doctrines which Paul preached, and which Sergius Paulus had believed.

What followed this false accusation of Paul?

Paul, the account states, set his eyes upon the false-accuser, and said, O full of all subtilty, and of all mischief, child of slander, enemy of all righteousness

There is no authority in the original for “the” word the which, in the Common Version, precedes the word “devil” so that if “devil” were the proper translation in this passage then it ought to read “child of a devil”

But the word “devil” has no use in this passage at all:

Paul charges Elymas with slander, and personifies him as a child of slander, just as we would say of a wicked person today he is a child of vice.

 

[Insight]

False accusation provides strong force to all passages where diabolos is used. Another such example is found on an hallowed passage, one long been used by devil believers

Jesus, after being falsely-accused by the Jews, charges them strongly in John. 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye do”

What Jesus is saying is by your actions you have adopted the character of a false accuser in slandering me: you declare yourselves to be children of this state of mind. You in mind are led away by the accursed disposition of falsely-accusing: In mind they are children of the false-accuser, and being so, your mental perceptions manifest their parentage.

And the destructive character of this falsely-accusing state of mind, of this slaying by slander all that is excellent, of this giving false views of the character of God, is exhibited by the passage in question;

John 8:44 He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because truth is not in him: when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.‖

So when the mind is in this state, the truth is not present. It is vacant so the mind generates lies, it murders truth. It’s a selfish state which slays man with words and deeds, denigrating the likeness-to-God: and this from the very first is where the cunningness was gained.