I don’t think too much on Satan. I just cannot overlook the truth in Gods word that are contrary to traditional interpretation. Perhaps that is my calling. Most people are not open to anything that is contrary to what they have traditionally believed, and that is ok if the word of God does not back something up. Then it is not truth. I like to discuss the things the holy spirit reveals to me in his word. The disciples of the early church used to meet in their homes and discuss the scriptures. I am sure they discussed many scriptures that had been falsely interpreted, The holy spirit was revealing to them the truth of Gods word, and they were learning together. I do agree with you though the important thing is to glorify God, and vain disputes would not glorify God.

never the less focussing on Christ is exactly what I am struggling with. I spend far too much time focussing on me. It is a battle to keep my eyes on Him. Thank for your reply.

Dave I don’t believe it was Gods will that Adam and Eve spend eternity in the garden. If Adam and eve never fell Christ could not have preeminence in all things. Gods will from the foundation of the world was that Christ would have preeminence in all things and he uses evil to do that. Christ himself had to give himself over to the devil to have preeminence in all things. The scripture says it pleased God to do that. That was not something the father was forced to do because man fell, it pleased him because it was his plan. What else can you conclude accept it was also his will. My point is hell would be the same. Hell is not the end. Christ is the end. the alpha and omega.

Eve-Loraine,
I’m sorry to hear about your arm. Maybe you can get out of chores around the house. Do you have help at home? I’ll pray that you recover quickly, unless you need an excuse to rest. I left a response on your comment, but it was intended for the one’s above you. Sorry about that.

I believe the most important thing is to stay focused on Christ. Yes, He uses Satan to glorify Himself and to help us see where evil comes from and to test our faith. Satan over all is defeated, and he can stay behind me and under my feet as far as I am concerned. We can use Satan’s ways to test who has the spirit of darkness and the Spirit of Light so that we can righteously judge for our own protection. Otherwise we should not think too much on him, unless God calls us to for a reason.

Yes, God in his foreknowledge knew Adam would sin but His plans for Adam was for him to live in the garden forever. God knows we will sin but still, it isn’t his plan for us to sin. We don’t sin for grace to abound, as Paul taught in Romans 6. God’s plan is for us to overcome sin and the devil. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. God has never predetermined for us to be overcome by sin. In His finite wisdom He knows we will be overcome on occasion when we walk in the flesh and not in Christ, but again, that’s not God’s will for us. Someday in the future Satan will be physically rendered helpless when God has subdued all things to Himself but until then he is a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour. God has predetermined that if you walk in the flesh you will be overcome by him but if you walk in the power of God you will have victory over him. But it’s our choice. Only the outcome is predetermined, not the action. This is one of the false teaching of Calvinism.