Luring A Christian Into A Debate Is A Satanic Trap
By: Douglas Laird
http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=17966
When it comes to secular politics, I usually enjoy and place considerable weight on what I observe and hear during a debate.
One of the more positive features of a debate is the chance to see the candidates side by side and having them simultaneously be presented and respond to the issues.
We must be aware, however, that one of the more negative results of a debate is that the “victor” may be determined by his ability to debate & dodge the issues rather than his ability to present solutions to the issues at hand.
In spiritual warfare, it is critically important to remember who our primary enemy is and how he operates. Our primary enemy is not people, their plans, or their behaviors. It is Satan and his forces of evil (Eph.6: 12). Satan seldom identifies himself and he always uses deception to achieve his objectives.
For reasons to be explained further in detail, luring a Christian into a debate is a satanic trap. Debating appeals to the pride and arrogance of our fallen nature as it affords one the opportunity to show everyone how wise we are and how foolish everyone else is who may hold differing opinions. While leading the Christian to believe that he is fighting the “good fight” (1Tim.1: 18 NIV) and exercising his faith via debate, the satanic objective is to cause needless (2Tim.2: 23) divisions and “arguments” (Col.2: 4 NIV) among believers and to use the equal opportunity afforded to him in the debate forum to spread and/or reinforce his false doctrines.
Satan does not have the divine attributes of omnipresence (being everywhere at the same time), omnipotence (all power) or omniscience (all knowledge). He is, however, an enemy not to be taken lightly and has at his disposal a demonic force (Eph. 6:12) that he uses to accomplish his goals.
There are only a few times recorded in the Bible when Satan, seeing the potential outcome of the events so critical to his plan, that he personally & directly got involved. Such as in the events recorded in Genesis 3, Matthew 4, Luke 22:3.
More times than not, Satan will use the hand, feet, and tongues of others to do his dirty work, often without them even knowing it (John 8:41-44). In doing so, his hand (working behind the scenes) and agenda will not be readily identified. One of his greatest & most useful deceptions is manifested when those involved believe that he doesn’t even exist. Like cancer, unless its presence is detected in the early stages, its damage is irreversible!
By: Douglas Laird
http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=17966
When it comes to secular politics, I usually enjoy and place considerable weight on what I observe and hear during a debate.
One of the more positive features of a debate is the chance to see the candidates side by side and having them simultaneously be presented and respond to the issues.
We must be aware, however, that one of the more negative results of a debate is that the “victor” may be determined by his ability to debate & dodge the issues rather than his ability to present solutions to the issues at hand.
In spiritual warfare, it is critically important to remember who our primary enemy is and how he operates. Our primary enemy is not people, their plans, or their behaviors. It is Satan and his forces of evil (Eph.6: 12). Satan seldom identifies himself and he always uses deception to achieve his objectives.
For reasons to be explained further in detail, luring a Christian into a debate is a satanic trap. Debating appeals to the pride and arrogance of our fallen nature as it affords one the opportunity to show everyone how wise we are and how foolish everyone else is who may hold differing opinions. While leading the Christian to believe that he is fighting the “good fight” (1Tim.1: 18 NIV) and exercising his faith via debate, the satanic objective is to cause needless (2Tim.2: 23) divisions and “arguments” (Col.2: 4 NIV) among believers and to use the equal opportunity afforded to him in the debate forum to spread and/or reinforce his false doctrines.
Satan does not have the divine attributes of omnipresence (being everywhere at the same time), omnipotence (all power) or omniscience (all knowledge). He is, however, an enemy not to be taken lightly and has at his disposal a demonic force (Eph. 6:12) that he uses to accomplish his goals.
There are only a few times recorded in the Bible when Satan, seeing the potential outcome of the events so critical to his plan, that he personally & directly got involved. Such as in the events recorded in Genesis 3, Matthew 4, Luke 22:3.
More times than not, Satan will use the hand, feet, and tongues of others to do his dirty work, often without them even knowing it (John 8:41-44). In doing so, his hand (working behind the scenes) and agenda will not be readily identified. One of his greatest & most useful deceptions is manifested when those involved believe that he doesn’t even exist. Like cancer, unless its presence is detected in the early stages, its damage is irreversible!
Last edited by Pamela on Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:56 pm; edited 1 time in total