Against all odds

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djstav

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If Satan can appear as an Angel of light how can any of you determine between Gods light & Satan's? Are you an expert on light based power's. You know I never could quite understand that verse, that Satan can trick you with a false goodness. Seems that the odds are stacked high against us, doesn't it?
 

Pisteuo

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I like the kjv version of that scripture better: 2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. IMO, this means "to you" or "to me"...IOW what we see. We see an angel of light. It undoubtedly serves us at the time. We see what we are looking for. Even if it's wrong. Truly the odds are stacked against you, yet we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth. Sounds cliche, but it's the only hope we have..or need. Possibly part of the refining process we all deal with. To show us the correct path. Helping us grow and recognize our own inability to trust ourselves.
 

djstav

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I like the kjv version of that scripture better: 2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. IMO, this means "to you" or "to me"...IOW what we see. We see an angel of light. It undoubtedly serves us at the time. We see what we are looking for. Even if it's wrong. Truly the odds are stacked against you, yet we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth. Sounds cliche, but it's the only hope we have..or need. Possibly part of the refining process we all deal with. To show us the correct path. Helping us grow and recognize our own inability to trust ourselves.
Hmm, not trusting yourself. Why shouldn't we trust ourselves?
 

Episkopos

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The more mature a believer gets the more God allows the full deceptive powers of darkness to test him.

Think of it like belts in karate. You don't take on the harder competitors until you advance farther.
 

amadeus

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If Satan can appear as an Angel of light how can any of you determine between Gods light & Satan's? Are you an expert on light based power's. You know I never could quite understand that verse, that Satan can trick you with a false goodness. Seems that the odds are stacked high against us, doesn't it?
If we are his sheep there is no problem:

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10:4-5


So the answer lies in first being his sheep and then listening to Him and obeying Him only.
 

djstav

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If we are his sheep there is no problem:

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10:4-5


So the answer lies in first being his sheep and then listening to Him and obeying Him only.
Sheep to the slaughter.
 

djstav

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The more mature a believer gets the more God allows the full deceptive powers of darkness to test him.

Think of it like belts in karate. You don't take on the harder competitors until you advance farther.
Now that's a kind God.
 

Enoch111

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If Satan can appear as an Angel of light how can any of you determine between Gods light & Satan's?
Everything which is presented to human beings (to impact their eternal destinies and their present relationship to God and Christ) is presented as thoughts, words, ideas, philosophies, and religions.

All the worlds religions -- including False Christianity -- are false and misleading. And the only way to determine what is true is from the Holy Bible itself.

The majority of false teachers will include a little bit of truth with many lies, and come as emissaries of Satan, bringing "new light" and "new revelations" to deceive people. If one does not know what the Bible teaches, these ideas will be very seductive and will deceive many. That is why the cults are flourishing today.
 
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ScottA

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If Satan can appear as an Angel of light how can any of you determine between Gods light & Satan's? Are you an expert on light based power's. You know I never could quite understand that verse, that Satan can trick you with a false goodness. Seems that the odds are stacked high against us, doesn't it?
There is light and there is Light, just as there is life and there is Life.

In the world, being born of the flesh light and life are simply the likeness of things on high (in the spiritual realm). But life as we know it, is not actual Life, but a slow death; and light is not Light, but shades of darkness - mere counterfeits of the real thing.

On the contrary, in the spirit realm of God, life is everlasting and there is no shadow of turning.

Thus, Satan operates with the limits of the world, which is life that is not Life and light which is not Light. In the world and only being born of the flesh, we know nothing more. But if we are born again of the spirit of God, we see life and darkness for what they are, and see what is not visible to the natural eye, but only in the spirit.
 
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djstav

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Everything which is presented to human beings (to impact their eternal destinies and their present relationship to God and Christ) is presented as thoughts, words, ideas, philosophies, and religions.

All the worlds religions -- including False Christianity -- are false and misleading. And the only way to determine what is true is from the Holy Bible itself.

The majority of false teachers will include a little bit of truth with many lies, and come as emissaries of Satan, bringing "new light" and "new revelations" to deceive people. If one does not know what the Bible teaches, these ideas will be very seductive and will deceive many. That is why the cults are flourishing today.
Hmm, OK.
 

ScottA

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New International Version
As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
Apparently you do not understand what he was saying. It is a metaphor, for living in the world to aid in the salvation of those who are otherwise perishing. Likewise, he said, "[for me] to live is Christ", because they too were taking part with the sacrifice of Christ to save the world from certain death. Which we also now do for your sake.

So the slaughter (sacrifice) is not against those being saved, but only against those who are helping them.
 
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djstav

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Apparently you do not understand what he was saying. It is a metaphor, for living in the world to aid in the salvation of those who are otherwise perishing. Likewise, he said, "[for me] to live is Christ", because they too were taking part with the sacrifice of Christ to save the world from certain death. Which we also now do for your sake.

So the slaughter (sacrifice) is not against those being saved, but only against those who are helping them.
What the? I don't get it.
 

djstav

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If that is where we are led, so be it. God knows what He is doing and He is good. Alone, we don't and we are not.
If you look at people the right way amadeus you will see a beauty in them, that most people are ready to do the best by other's. When I was a Christian I'd only see the worst in them. That's what religious belief does, makes everyone out as wanting to hurt you.
 
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Episkopos

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If you look at people the right way amadeus you will see a beauty in them, that most people are ready to do the best by other's. When I was a Christian I'd only see the worst in them. That's what religious belief does, makes everyone out as wanting to hurt you.


That's because you were being indoctrinated into the "dark side" of Christianity.


So there is hope for you. :)

All the brothers in Christ hate the false posturing that causes believers to judge others.
 

djstav

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That's because you were being indoctrinated into the "dark side" of Christianity.


So there is hope for you. :)

All the brothers in Christ hate the false posturing that causes believers to judge others.
No I don't think so, I had an experienced teacher guide me into the particulars of Bible doctrine. She wasn't a certified theologian or pastor. She was a genuine Christian mother who adopted me as her spiritual son. I learned the right theology from her, and I know I did because of her love for her fellow human being's.

There was nothing fake about her faith, and I've never met one other Christian like her. But I'm afraid that the Bible does say awful thing's about us, it has us as wretched being's (Sinners) worthy of destruction & the wrath of God. We are only saved because of the shedding of blood, that we must believe in to be saved. For you to demote these thing's that are absolutely clear because of saving face is a bit dishonest.
 

Episkopos

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No I don't think so, I had an experienced teacher guide me into the particulars of Bible doctrine. She wasn't a certified theologian or pastor. She was a genuine Christian mother who adopted me as her spiritual son. I learned the right theology from her, and I know I did because of her love for her fellow human being's.

There was nothing fake about her faith, and I've never met one other Christian like her. But I'm afraid that the Bible does say awful thing's about us, it has us as wretched being's (Sinners) worthy of destruction & the wrath of God. We are only saved because of the shedding of blood, that we must believe in to be saved. For you to demote these thing's that are absolutely clear because of saving face is a bit dishonest.


I believe in a living God....not just a historic Jesus. I'm not so sure you have been taught correctly at all.

God is love. People who are against love....God is against.
God is merciful. He cares for people whether they believe in Him or not. He gives people a long time to understand things.
God is not religious. People and the devil are religious. God is spontaneous and living. He moves. Religion is dead and static.
 

djstav

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I believe in a living God....not just a historic Jesus. I'm not so sure you have been taught correctly at all.

God is love. People who are against love....God is against.
God is merciful. He cares for people whether they believe in Him or not. He gives people a long time to understand things.
God is not religious. People and the devil are religious. God is spontaneous and living. He moves. Religion is dead and static.
I guess I know nothing of anything in comparison.