If Satan is Responsible, Why Take it Out on God

The question was posed the other day: "Why do people get mad at God? Wouldn't it make more sense to get mad at Satan, as he's responsible for all the bad stuff that happens?"

Well first, I have to admit I do not fully agree with the theology that Satan is responsible for all the bad stuff - but, this is a topic for another day. For the purposes of this post, we'll assume that yes, Satan is responsible.

So, if Satan is responsible, why do we take it out on God? Why do we get angry with God?

The answer is actually quite simple...

Expectations of God; Expectations of Satan

We expect Satan to cause problems. We expect him to send us temptations. We expect him to cause loved ones to get sick and die (again, remember, for the purposes of this post, we're blaming Satan for everything).

But God? Our loving Father? Our protector and comforter? The Great Physician? The Author of Peace? We expect God to protect us and our loved ones.

I've known children who were molested or raped by a family member, or close friend of their parents' - and often they blame their parents (or, the non-offending parent). The parent was supposed to protect the child. Even myself, when my dad first got married and my step-mom started abusing me - I blamed my dad. He was supposed to protect me.

Misplaced Anger

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that getting angry with God is necessarily a good thing. Nor am I saying that this anger isn't misplaced. I'm only saying that it is understandable. The One who is supposed to love us and protect us has failed to meet that expectation. Regardless of the reason (He has a plan; He's trying to help us grow from our suffering; etc), He still failed us. Who wouldn't be mad at that?

But, while this anger is understandable, we do still need to stop and recognize that perhaps God isn't the one we should be angry with. Perhaps it's just something we need to accept is no one's fault (i.e. someone dying from illness). Perhaps it's an abuser. Perhaps it's Satan. Perhaps it's our own selves.

No matter who it is, we need to forgive, and give that anger to God in a healthy way.


God bless!

Does God Really Test Us? (seriously... I'd like to know...)

Please bare with me for a few moments as I use my blog as a place to try to work through something that has been bothering me for the past 24 hours....

We had another wonderful Bible Study last night. The past couple weeks, we've been studying the 7 churches in Revelations. It's quite interesting. But, as usually happens, we read something in our lesson book which caused us to veer off onto a little tangent.

God tests us. 

A couple of us had an issue with this. God tests us... tests our faithfulness. He lets us suffer to test our faithfulness. Why does this bother me?

1) This makes our God seem a bit cruel
2) Why would He need to test us? He already knows us!

One of the ladies who does believe God puts our faith to the test mentioned Job. Now granted, Job is definitely put through the wringer again and again in the Bible. But... God isn't the one testing. Is He? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say Satan was doing the testing?

My guy is better...

A kid is out shooting around on the basketball court. A coach from a rival team watches for a bit, then goes up to the kid's coach. "He ain't bad out there alone. Bet he can't go head to head with my star though." Challenge is issued. The kid's coach has faith in his player and accepts the duel.

A man builds a table out of scrap wood. A neighbor comes along and warns the man that the table doesn't look very sturdy. "I bet if I stand on it, it'll fall apart." The builder has faith in his work and simply smiles, giving the neighbor permission to do his best.

To me, this is how the story of Job seems. This is how a lot of our "trials" seem. Satan says "Hey... I bet I can break him"... and God says "Go ahead and try."

God has faith in us

God built us. He created us. He teaches us and strengthens us and molds us and shapes us. He knows what we're capable of. He knows the very depths of our hearts and souls and minds. When Satan says "I can break her"... maybe God is just accepting that challenge because God has faith in our ability... because He gave us that ability.

Just a random thought... I'd love to hear yours...

The Three (+100) Voices We Hear

This is so stupid. Why are we bothering with this?
Because it's important?
Why? Who really gives a shit?
Just shut up and...
I want a drink
Of course you do. You're a drunk
uh hello nimrod, you're me
Will you please just...
yeah yeah, shut up
Exactly
(silence)
...Oh c'mon, you know I wasn't serious
Maybe we should email him again.
No, maybe we should leave him alone
Why
Why not?
Stop guys! We need to figure this out!
Blah blah, emotionally detached
Blah blah, hyper-sensitive
emotionally immature
We don't care
I care
Stop trying to be an individual.
Stop telling me what to do
Think he actually cares?
...please tell me you're kidding??
Why?
Why not?
Knock it off! You guys are impossible
...improba...
Now's not the time 

-------------------

I Hear Voices:

This was an actual conversation that went on in my head just a few moments ago. It actually involved a few more voices, but it's hard to recall what all is said and in what order when they're all talking over each other. But regardless of how many are speaking, it's a common occurrence. In fact, it's pretty much 24/7.Yes, they may quiet down from time to time, but for the most part, it's so loud up there, I can't hear myself think.

While this may all be entertaining from time to time, there is one very annoying downfall - it's really difficult to hear God talking.

I read once that we all hear three voices whispering (and sometimes screaming) at us: God's voice, satan's voice, and our own. With the exception of the 100 voices whispering in my head, I can agree with this. But how do we know which voice is speaking?

God's Voice: 

In my experience, as humans, we always want to assume the other two voices are God's. I mean, wouldn't it be nice to think the voice telling us we're justified in smacking a moron upside the head is something God is telling us?

The easiest way to know if it's His voice - does what is being said match up with Scripture? From studying the Gospel, we know God wouldn't give us permission to smack people around. There's that whole "turn the other cheek" thing. So, voice doesn't match Scripture, therefore safe bet the voice doesn't belong to God. The more we delve into God's Word - reading it and studying it - the easier it is for us to ascertain if it's God's voice we hear.

Satan's Voice:

This one is the one we often like to believe just might be God. But, Satan's voice is pretty easy to differentiate. It's the opposite of God's. It doesn't line up with Scripture. It sounds nice...tempting... and we need to learn to ignore that voice.

My Voice: 

I, me, my, mine, myself...

Notice a common theme, there? Yup, yup... that voice is the selfish one. It's the fleshy, lusty, covetous voice. It's the one that wants what I want (whether or not it's mine to have), and is only looking out for me. It's self-gratifying, and not really caring who gets knocked over in the process.

And, quite often, this voice must be ignored.

How to know which is speaking... 

As I pointed out earlier, our best test as to which voice is speaking is to compare what is being said to what is found in Scripture. If it goes against God, it's not Him.

Pray, pray and pray some more! The more we engage in conversations with God, the easier it is to distinguish His voice.

Ask yourself:
Am I being told to do something that will hurt others?
Am I doing something that hurts myself or my relationship with God? 
Does it glorify God?
Does it go against Scripture?

Hold onto those things which glorify God and bring you closer to Him.
Ignore those things which harm you, others, or your relationship with God.

And those other 100 voices that just won't shut up? Well, if anyone has any ideas, I'm quite willing to listen...

God bless!

Evil is in the Eye of the Beholder

Early, I read a post about how contemplative prayer is wrong. Through discussion, it was also hinted that sitting in a room surrounded by candles is evil. I've also been informed in the past that some of my trinkets are evil (see Adornment - Of Trinkets and Medallions and Such).

Now first, I need to put a few things out there...

1 - Just because something is not found in the Bible, does not mean God forbids it.
2 - Just because something is found in the Bible, does not mean God commands it of us
3 - Do NOT interpret the Bible how YOU think it should be interpreted. Example: "abstain from all appearance of evil" does not mean to stay away from something you think looks evil.
4 - You are not God. Do not judge people just because they do something you don't do, or because they believe something you don't believe.
5 - Just because you think something, doesn't make it true.

That said...

Contemplative Prayer - many of us like to clear our minds to bring us closer to God. And, by closer, I mean to have a stronger relationship with him. But anyway, with so much chaos and noise in our worlds, we need to take time to be still and speak with God. To do this, I will focus on something to clear my mind. I will sit in complete silence and let me thoughts dissipate. In my opinion, this is what these contemplative prayers are - they aren't to take the place of real prayer. They really aren't even prayers (in my case anyway). It's preparing myself to feel God's presence, in a way I cannot feel it when I am running from one "urgent" worldly task to the next. While it doesn't work for me, I do know there are many who will sit and repeat one world over and over again to clear their mind... it's their way of focusing, of clearing their heart and mind to prepare it to focus on God. This isn't evil. It could, perhaps, be used in an evil way if one so chose, but in and of itself, it is not evil.

Candles - If sitting in a room with candles lit is evil, then almost every church goer is evil. Every church is welcoming in Satan. And has been since Biblical times, although, in Biblical times they used oil lamps rather than candles. These lamps were a symbol of understanding, guidance, and life; and burning of incense was a way of offering prayers.

Trinkets/Medallions - I'll let you read the post I already wrote on this topic.

So basically what I'm getting at - don't let your own thoughts of good and evil cloud you from the truth. I celebrate Halloween - in the sense that I take my children trick-or-treating and decorate my yard with tombstones and cobwebs. This doesn't make me evil. I don't worship Satan or anything/anyone other than the one and only God. I surround myself with candles as a way of relaxing. This doesn't mean I'm evil. It means I enjoy the smell and ambiance of candles. I burn incense because I like the smell. I take pictures of the full moon because I think it is beautiful. I watch the stars because I marvel at what God has created. I listen to music which is hard rock because I like listening to music. I dance because I enjoy dancing. None of what I do is evil or done with evil intention.

To place a label of evil on something is to give that thing power over you. Anyone who follows the crowd and believes a candle is evil is weak minded and/or weak in faith. A candle cannot on its own be evil.

Adornment - Of Trinkets and Medallions and Such

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

The above photo is a picture of some of my favorite jewelry pieces tucked away in my jewelry box. It was recently stated to me that women should not wear jewelry. It's also been said to me that some of my pieces are satanic or occult related, and, it was hinted that I would go to hell for wearing such items.

All of this made me chuckle a bit. However, I do feel the need to touch on the subject of jewelry - whether or not it is against God to wear jewelry in general, and whether or not certain pieces could be against God. Yes, in 1 Peter we see that women should not wear elaborate adornments. But, what is elaborate? And why should it not be worn? What exactly is meant by this?

“I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’
“She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.’
“Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms, and I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. (Genesis 24:47-48)

So, in 1 Peter, we're told not to wear jewelry, and yet in Genesis (as well as many other areas within the Bible), we see jewelry as being given/worn. So what does this tell us?

First and foremost, I think it is important to consider the time period and culture from which the Biblical writings come from.  In Biblical times, jewelry was often a status symbol. In today's society (unless of course it's one of those diamond rocks too big to fit on a finger, and with too big a price tag to be in 99.9% people's budget), it usually isn't this status symbol. However, I do believe this verse may be warning people against wearing that rock, especially when you consider that many people rich enough to show off spendy little trinkets aren't very good in their hearts. It's not that wearing jewelry is wrong, it's that wearing it to prove you're something, or to hide who you truly are, or to draw people's attention from who you are inside is wrong.

That said, the way I take those verses is not that we should not wear jewelry. It's that we should make sure we're taking care of the kind of people we are on the inside, and not worrying about how we look on the outside to the world. Just because you wear fine clothes and beautiful jewelry doesn't mean you're a fine and beautiful person on the inside.


Now then, as to the "satanic" nature of my personal trinket collection....

1. Writer's Medallion
2. Cross
3. Ankh
4 - 6: Dragons
7 - 9: Crystals in a dragon's claw

1. The writer's medallion is a little trinket my husband found for me on Amazon. Basically, this medallion is engraved with various symbols and names of saints and angels. And, it is supposed to give the wearer help in writing. No, I do not believe there is a special power in the medallion. However, it is very interesting researching the names of those engraved on it.

2. Of course, we all believe crosses are not occult or satanic... they are Christian. However, one I do not have pictured above is a rather large black cross... with a definite "goth" look to it. Because of the "goth" nature, many do not like it and think it's satanic. I'd also like to point out that the cross was technically not even a Christian symbol until the 4th century.

3. The ankh - the symbol of the vampire. Or Egyptian gods. But essentially, the ankh is a cross. It, as well as the cross we know, were used in pagan sun-god worship. For me now, I simply love the ankh. And while in pagan sun-god worship, it was a symbol of reincarnation, I see it as a symbol of eternity, no different than the crosses we wear today.

4-6: They're just dragons people.... mythological and very awesome creatures.

7-9: These crystals held within a dragon's claw - I have heard many say these are amulets, witchcraft, blah blah blah. It's a necklace. But, there is a story behind these for me. When I was 17, my life wasn't that great. Having been through abuse and rape and everything unpleasant, I had hit an all time low. Depression was slowing killing me. A friend of mine used to always wear these pendants, and I'd often try to playfully steal them from him. One day he explained to me that they give the wearer courage, strength and protection, and he gave me one. While I do not believe they actually do give the wearer this, they do for me simply because wearing them reminds me of his words, and reminds me that I do have courage and strength within me.

Anyway, the lesson behind this lengthy blog post - just because something isn't a Christian cross (and a nice pretty one at that), does not mean it is evil or satanic. Just because someone is wearing something which could be seen as evil or satanic, doesn't mean the person is this way or intends it that way.

And just because someone is wearing jewelry, does not mean that person is going against the Bible!

Temptation

Anyone who claims to never have been tempted is a liar. And anyone who claims to never have given in to temptation, is also a liar. We are all tempted, many times and in many ways. Even Jesus was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-13 tells the story of Jesus in the desert.

After his baptism, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and led into the desert where he wandered for 40 days. During this time, he fasted. The devil came to him and pointed out that if Jesus were the Son of God, he could easily turn a stone into a loaf of bread. But Jesus did not. Instead... "Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"" (Luke 4:4).

Then the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and offered them to Jesus in return for Jesus worshipping him. Again, Jesus did not. "Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"" (Luke 4:8).

Finally, the devil brought him to the top of the temple and told him to throw himself off and that if he is the Son of God, the angels would protect him. And once again, Jesus did not. "Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"" (Luke 4:12).

These three temptations are indicative of the temptations we all face.

The temptation to depend on oneself and one's own strength; and to put our physical needs above our spiritual needs.
The temptation of power, money, stuff, often at the expense of abandoning God.
The temptation of putting God to the test; of believing we can do what we wish and that God will step in to protect us.

What are you tempted by? What weaknesses does Satan try to tempt you with? Perhaps you have a weakness for alcohol or drugs. Perhaps it's money. Or sex. Perhaps it's doing whatever it takes to get promoted in your job. Perhaps it's doing whatever it takes for people to notice and appreciate you.

There is nothing wrong with wanting money. Or with desiring food. Or hoping for a promotion at work. Where the sin comes into play is when we bypass God's wishes for us - when we ignore God's will - to achieve these things. When we stop praying to God and worshipping him, and instead take matters into our own hands, this is when we sin.

When we have an addiction, such an intense craving or need for anything - alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, etc. - and we believe we have the power to overcome these on our own, and that we do not need God - this can be considered a sin as well. Granted, yes, most addictions are diseases. However, there is a link additionally to a realization that we cannot do it on our own. We must give ourselves to God. We must pray. We must not allow ourselves to 'worship' these temptations Satan puts before us.

How many of you have ever done something dangerous? How many of you have simply shrugged your shoulders and said that if it is your time to go, it's your time to go. You may call it living life to its fullest. But what it is more often is testing God.

Or perhaps you're dealing with an illness and you decided to "try" God's plan. You haven't fully committed yourself to God and his plan. You've basically given God a time-frame in which to heal you - and if he doesn't meet that deadline, you'll try something else. You've given God an ulitmatum. Or, maybe you're one of those who says "I'll put it in God's hands" and that's as far as it goes. You've basically just told God "here, you do it, I have better things to do." Don't misunderstand this - it is important to give your problems to God. It is important to trust in him to be there and to help you. But doing so does not relieve you of responsibility. It's like a child in the classroom... the teacher gives him an assignment, which the student doesn't understand and doesn't fully try to understand. He goes to the teacher and hands the worksheet to her, stating "here, you do it for me" and then goes to recess.

We will always be tempted. Satan will always be waiting for us to be at our weakest - just as he did with Jesus, after Jesus had been wandering and fasting for 40 days. We can't change this. But we can change how we react to those temptations.

When faced with temptation, we must turn to the Lord for strength. Pray. Ask him for the strength and courage to resist that temptation. Absorb ourselves in reading his word. Meditate. Go out and provide service for someone else in his name in order to replace the temptation with something good. Repent when you fail to resist temptation.

Trust in the Lord to help you through times of temptation.

Sold Her Soul...?

The young girl lay in her bed, burying the tears. She let the blood slide down her chin, not bothering to wipe it. Bruises covered her ribs, legs, chest, face. They didn't usually get her face too. Those would show tomorrow at school. She looked at herself in the mirror, then picked up the Bible that lay on her dressing table. With a curse, she threw the book across the room. Anger was quickly filling her, replacing the self-pity she'd been feeling for years - since her father married and began obeying this creature. She'd once thought the woman pure evil - but after years of God turning his back on her and her family, not bothering to try to rid the world of this evil - she realized that perhaps she had it wrong. She heard one of her siblings cry, looked upward, and cursed God. And then she prayed - to Satan. She offered her soul for her siblings to escape this hell. For her to escape it....

So is it possible for one person to sell their soul to Satan? And if they do, is there any way to get out of that contract? Can they ever be forgiven and received back into God's arms?

I found one article with a list of 10 people whom have supposedly sold their souls to Satan. These individuals did so for more money and power and prestige. And, I'm sure there are many more like this. I am also certain there are many like the young girl in the story above.

I have researched this topic quite a bit - and have read a lot that says that yes, God will forgive someone for entering into this contract, so long as he/she repents. However...
"And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." (Matthew 12:32)
One would think that selling their own soul to the devil is to speak out against the Holy Spirit. One is essentially denouncing the Holy Spirit, and it doesn't matter the reasons behind that denunciation. It is unforgivable.

Going by this reasoning, it would make sense why a young child, entering into a contract without thought or consideration, would spend the rest of her life being tormented and tortured - although, one would have assumed Satan would have lived up to his end of the contract. Can there ever be peace, or love, or a life free from pain and suffering for her? Is there any point in even trying?