Is Satan capable of manipulating the internet?

[Willum]

There is a debate raging about Satan on another OP, but I think it is funny in the light of arguing about a non-existent creature.

Even so, Satan has a heck of a lot of powers. Typing I expect, might be one of them. Manipulating the internet, might be one of them.

Since God has a non-interference policy, and Satan does not -
What stops old Nick from completely manipulating mankind from the complete carrot and stick approach?

The amount of power he'd have, especially on forums like this one is frighteningly incalculable.

Since, that is game over, isn't this just another proof that Satan, and probably God himself just don't exist?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by Willum]


Well my pesonal believe is that Satan is the god of this system of things (see 2 Cor 4:4). This means he controls all the organizations that ultimately lead and influence this world system (a) false religion (b) big business (c) politcal elements. And through them all the individuals, who effectively that cannot break free from his influence because they don't know they are being manipulated.

JOHN 12:31
Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe.

1 JOHN 2:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

It's rather like the NSA secret data gathering, as long as you stay in line and are voluntarily walking in the direction he wants, expressing the ideas he has programmed into you, then no problem, no need to even pay attention to you (general "you") as an individual. Its only when someone gives signs of breaking out of the ordinary (moving out of his influence towards God's organization) that they are picked up on the radar.

The internet is simply a tool, it can be used for good or bad, but the spirit and words expressed by far the majority of invididuals on the internet, give evidence the "program" has worked wonderfully on them and they walk the way their invisible "master" wants them to. In short Satan doesn't have to control personally every indivdual on every forum types, they'll type what they want to type, express the feelings they feel, articulate thoughts they originated but it will all be in line with what they have been "pre-programmed" to do by Satan's system and influenced to do via the spirit (overriding attitude) of the world he does controls and from which they have no defense.

And yes, its a mind boggling amount of power and influence, if I wasn't confident of a higher power, it would be frightening.

JW

[ttruscott]

Since, that is game over, isn't this just another proof that Satan, and probably God himself just don't exist?

How is that game over? Satan has power over all kind so things on earth - everything GOD allows HIM so as achieve HIS ends of bringing HIS sinful elect to realize the reprobate are beyond redemption and must be banished.

[Willum]

[Replying to ttruscott]

Well, lets assume, it's not me writing, it's Satan.
I am trying to win the majority over by neutralizing belief.

So, via the internet, I can pose as someone you trust, take odd disrupting opinions in the guise of someone you indeed take any pleasing shape, and write in their avatar to confuse and manipulate.

It is impossible to know, because your computer is personal to you.

What will arrest Satan from mixing truth and lie, persuasion and lack of, friend and enemy to make the entire planet his victim?

And then there are demons?
Will they create multiple screen names, post as atheists and preachers?

Hear me?

[Kenisaw]

Since, that is game over, isn't this just another proof that Satan, and probably God himself just don't exist?

How is that game over? Satan has power over all kind so things on earth - everything GOD allows HIM so as achieve HIS ends of bringing HIS sinful elect to realize the reprobate are beyond redemption and must be banished.

Right. God IS love, it says so in the Bible. God allows Satan to do stuff, and since that god is love that means everything it does is with loving intent, so letting Satan deceive must be god's love in action...

[2Dbunk]

[Replying to Willum]

Well, lets assume, it's not me writing, it's Satan.
I am trying to win the majority over by neutralizing belief.

So, via the internet, I can pose as someone you trust, take odd disrupting opinions in the guise of someone you indeed take any pleasing shape, and write in their avatar to confuse and manipulate.

It is impossible to know, because your computer is personal to you.

What will arrest Satan from mixing truth and lie, persuasion and lack of, friend and enemy to make the entire planet his victim?

And then there are demons?
Will they create multiple screen names, post as atheists and preachers?

Willum, you are a devil. Why'd you hide that fact so long?

First of all, Beezlebub, send me a real neat avatar that I can post here. Second, please post it for me 'cause I'm old and can't figure out how to do it.

Third I'm hoping the Steelers get to Brady and deflate his ego a bit -- can you do somethin' 'bout that?

If you're real, I got a bunch of other requests I'd like to ask ofya -- but first, send me a sign or somethin', that I know I'm not wastin ' ma time, OK?

[ttruscott]

[Replying to ttruscott]

Well, lets assume, it's not me writing, it's Satan.
I am trying to win the majority over by neutralizing belief.

So, via the internet, I can pose as someone you trust, take odd disrupting opinions in the guise of someone you indeed take any pleasing shape, and write in their avatar to confuse and manipulate.

It is impossible to know, because your computer is personal to you.

What will arrest Satan from mixing truth and lie, persuasion and lack of, friend and enemy to make the entire planet his victim?

And then there are demons?
Will they create multiple screen names, post as atheists and preachers?

Hear me?

The tempter was in the garden and even went after Jesus:
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
Matt 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said...

We are not free from him because of our great discernment of spirituality but because of God's grace. Just as the Holy Spirit allowed Him to be tempted, so too us. This is ordinary stuff for Christians - we must trust everyday that GOD is keeping us free from him, not trusting in our own abilities to beat him.

The internet adds nothing to our daily scenario...

[ttruscott]

Since, that is game over, isn't this just another proof that Satan, and probably God himself just don't exist?

How is that game over? Satan has power over all kind so things on earth - everything GOD allows HIM so as achieve HIS ends of bringing HIS sinful elect to realize the reprobate are beyond redemption and must be banished.

Right. God IS love, it says so in the Bible. God allows Satan to do stuff, and since that god is love that means everything it does is with loving intent, so letting Satan deceive must be god's love in action...

All part of our being painfully trained in righteousness - Heb 12:5-11.

[Willum]

[Replying to ttruscott]

Yep, that's one of Satan's favorite line from his revised version of the Bible.
Inserted their by one of his favorite Popes:
Satan's Recruits

It provides folks the illusion of power and self confidence they think they have to resist him. Excusing folks' evil because it feels right.

So is Satan able to influence printing of the Bible as well?

[Willum]

[Replying to post 6 by 2Dbunk]

If I were the Devil, I would certainly assume a more pleasing shape. I drop about 50 pounds, for starts.
Anyway, brokering your soul on the internet is sufficient lien, that's the bit everybody misses with Faustian deals.
I'll sent Truescott around to collect when apropos.