"Satan is the God of this world" and free will

[VCR-2000]

We are supposed to have free will and God is in control and has a "plan" for people. But Corinthians (I think) also says that Satan is the "God of this world" and thus controls the airwaves and all human institutions.

But this is one of the incongruencies that I can't accept well. Why would or should a God that is benevolent knowingly have his arch nemesis in control of this world, and BTW he created the world which it was possible to begin with.

The other hand of the issue, is that if God wants people to come to him and everyone to be saved, why doesn't he directly eliminate and replace Satan and those he controls on this earth instead of leading us on and allowing us to live to suffer watching things continue to get worse until the Great Tribulation? Honestly, I'd rather live a prosperous life where things mostly went my way and then die than live to suffer for decades watching things slowly go to Hell.

It is not only illogical, but completely unthinkable. What kind of benevolent father would have his children taken into custody by a malevolent person and promise him that one distant day he will be saved but while he is living now, he has to endure his tormentor? That sounds cruel. Might as well have never allowed the child to be born in the first place or not give him to the malevolent person in the first place.

It is depressing and I get existential angst over it.

 

[Neogaia777]

We are supposed to have free will and God is in control and has a "plan" for people. But Corinthians (I think) also says that Satan is the "God of this world" and thus controls the airwaves and all human institutions.

But this is one of the incongruencies that I can't accept well. Why would or should a God that is benevolent knowingly have his arch nemesis in control of this world, and BTW he created the world which it was possible to begin with.

The other hand of the issue, is that if God wants people to come to him and everyone to be saved, why doesn't he directly eliminate and replace Satan and those he controls on this earth instead of leading us on and allowing us to live to suffer watching things continue to get worse until the Great Tribulation? Honestly, I'd rather live a prosperous life where things mostly went my way and then die than live to suffer for decades watching things slowly go to Hell.

It is not only illogical, but completely unthinkable. What kind of benevolent father would have his children taken into custody by a malevolent person and promise him that one distant day he will be saved but while he is living now, he has to endure his tormentor? That sounds cruel. Might as well have never allowed the child to be born in the first place or not give him to the malevolent person in the first place.

It is depressing and I get existential angst over it.

How bad are you suffering right now, and what is it you are dealing with right now that's got you so depressed right now currently?

 

[Clare73]

We are supposed to have free will

Actually, all men sin making them slaves to sin (Jn 8:34, Gal 3:22, Ro 7:25, 11:32). Slaves are not free.

All mankind is born sinners, guilty of the sin of Adam ("original sin"), which is why they all died between Adam and Moses, even though there was no law to sin against and, therefore, personal sin was not accounted to them (Ro 5:14).

Only those whom the Son makes free are free (Jn 8:36, cf Jn 8:32, Ro 6:18, 22, 8;12, Gal 5:1).

and God is in control and has a "plan" for people. But Corinthians (I think) also says that Satan is the "God of this world" and thus controls the airwaves and all human institutions.

But this is one of the incongruencies that I can't accept well. Why would or should a God that is benevolent knowingly have his arch nemesis in control of this world, and BTW he created the world which it was possible to begin with.

The other hand of the issue, is that if God wants people to come to him and everyone to be saved, why doesn't he directly eliminate and replace Satan and those he controls on this earth instead of leading us on and allowing us to live to suffer watching things continue to get worse until the Great Tribulation? Honestly, I'd rather live a prosperous life where things mostly went my way and then die than live to suffer for decades watching things slowly go to Hell.

It is not only illogical, but completely unthinkable. What kind of benevolent father would have his children taken into custody by a malevolent person and promise him that one distant day he will be saved but while he is living now, he has to endure his tormentor? That sounds cruel. Might as well have never allowed the child to be born in the first place or not give him to the malevolent person in the first place.

It is depressing and I get existential angst over it.

 

[VCR-2000]

Actually, all men sin making them slaves to sin (Jn 8:34, Gal 3:22, Ro 7:25, 11:32). Slaves are not free.

All mankind is born sinners, guilty of the sin of Adam ("original sin"), which is why they all died between Adam and Moses, even though there was no law to sin against and, therefore, personal sin was not accounted to them (Ro 5:14).

Only those whom the Son makes free are free (Jn 8:36, cf Jn 8:32, Ro 6:18, 22, 8;12, Gal 5:1).

We are all sinners and slaves to sin. Yeah. But on the flip side of it we can say that to be with the Lord is to be a slave to him, too. I heard people actually use the language sometimes.

 

[Neogaia777]

I heard people actually use the language sometimes.

False humility. They only have to do that, or see themselves that way because they know they are way, way to prone to slipping up with pride, etc.

True humility is different from that though, and not easy to master either, etc, which is why I guess I can understand with some of them maybe, etc.

True humility is having an honest evaluation of yourself, and yourself in relation to others, etc. Or that's at least the start of it anyway, etc.

God Bless.

 

[timothyu]

This is a world made in our own image and runs contrary to the Kingdom. It is a world of adversarial spirit to the will of God, regardless if they be elohim or man. As the blind lead the blind from one generation to the next since the Garden, with no reversal of self serving ways in sight, we must individually reject this backwards world learn to transcend our natural instincts in order to activate the spirit within and who we were meant to be.

 

[Clare73]

We are all sinners and slaves to sin. Yeah. But on the flip side of it we can say that to be with the Lord is to be a slave to him, too. I heard people actually use the language sometimes.

Not only people, but the NT uses the language.

 

[Clare73]

False humility. They only have to do that, or see themselves that way because they know they are way, way to prone to slipping up with pride, etc.

True humility is different from that though, and not easy to master either, etc, which is why I guess I can understand with some of them maybe, etc.

True humility is having an honest evaluation of yourself, and yourself in relation to others, etc. Or that's at least the start of it anyway, etc.

God Bless.

Humility is truth.

 

[eleos1954]

We are supposed to have free will and God is in control and has a "plan" for people. But Corinthians (I think) also says that Satan is the "God of this world" and thus controls the airwaves and all human institutions.

But this is one of the incongruencies that I can't accept well. Why would or should a God that is benevolent knowingly have his arch nemesis in control of this world, and BTW he created the world which it was possible to begin with.

The other hand of the issue, is that if God wants people to come to him and everyone to be saved, why doesn't he directly eliminate and replace Satan and those he controls on this earth instead of leading us on and allowing us to live to suffer watching things continue to get worse until the Great Tribulation? Honestly, I'd rather live a prosperous life where things mostly went my way and then die than live to suffer for decades watching things slowly go to Hell.

It is not only illogical, but completely unthinkable. What kind of benevolent father would have his children taken into custody by a malevolent person and promise him that one distant day he will be saved but while he is living now, he has to endure his tormentor? That sounds cruel. Might as well have never allowed the child to be born in the first place or not give him to the malevolent person in the first place.

It is depressing and I get existential angst over it.

God does not desire suffering, He permits it to exist so humans can choose good and develop their character through trials and tribulations, ultimately finding hope and redemption through Jesus Christ who himself experienced suffering on our behalf.

Sin is destructive (ultimately causing death) ... and planet earth is the real example to the entire universe of that fact.

Old saying "experience is the best teacher".

One day God is going to make right all the wrongs and we rest in that fact. The point is .... it ends well.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I think if we understand the goals of God, then the means and methods make more sense.
I have always thought that the logic of God makes perfect sense. I often hear people explain away seeming contradictions by suggesting that "the logic of God is not the logic of man." I beg to differ. Once we have all the facts, the logic of God makes perfect sense. Nothing about God and His methods is beyond or outside what man can understand. We do not have the full picture. We have glimpses and mountaintops. We see bits and pieces. The scriptures tell us to pray to receive the "spirit of wisdom and revelation."

Ephesians 1:17-19 KJV
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

This implies that we do not have the whole picture and need some help from the "helper."

1 John 2:27 KJV
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

 

[timothyu]

This implies that we do not have the whole picture and need some help from the "helper."

To learn we are not separate unattached entities that He cannot work through?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

To learn we are not separate unattached entities that He cannot work through?

John 15:4-5 KJV
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

[David Lamb]

No only people, but the NT uses the language.

Yes, for example Romans says:

“And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” (Ro 6:18 NKJV)