Where is, and recognizing the devil

[nobspeople]

How can one recognize the devil?
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith" (I Peter 5:8-9)
There it's said he's a like a roaring lion, but here
"Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers" (II Corinthians 11:14-15).
it says he can be like an angel of light.

So which is it? A roaring lion or light angel? Contradictory much? Or maybe, the devil can be both things, at which point we're right back to the first question, how can one recognize him.

"Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
This seems to say if you're humble before god, you can resist the devil and he will leave you. But it still doesn't say how to recognize him.
This:
"He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).
doesn't seem to help recognizing him, either - just tells you what it claims the devil is.

Seems the devil is more of a spirit and less of a legitimate 'thing' (though some claim it's a very real person - see link below*, which seems odd to use the term 'person'), so maybe, to recognize it, when need to know where it lives today.
Pergamum was said to be “where the throne of Satan is” and “where Satan is dwelling.” (Revelation 2:13). However, some think this refers more to the satanic worship than an actual residence. Odd that god would let some think this and others think something else, but that's another story to address elsewhere.
The Bible says that the Devil rules over “all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth,” so he does not dwell in any one physical location on earth but is confined to the vicinity of the earth.​—(Luke 4:​5, 6).

For discussion: How does one recognize the devil? Or does that even matter? And where is the devil today?

* https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family ... the-devil/

[theophile]

How can one recognize the devil?

There is a bit of a genealogy at play if you look closely, but I think you're on the right track by thinking in terms of spirit. It would be the spirit of accusation or an adversarial spirit (satan means accuser, adversary), which eventually becomes outright rebellion against God in its most extreme manifestation.

To see that, you should start with the serpent of Genesis 3. Not as Satan but as a good creature (see Genesis 1). Satan is explicitly linked to the serpent in Revelation, and we see in Genesis 3 the adversarial / accusing spirit that the serpent gets caught up in. (i.e., Eve accuses the serpent - herself giving an origin to the satanic - and God prophesies an enmity that will fester from it over future generations).

The next step in the genealogy is the satan, which we see for example in the book of Job. The satan is more a role (not a person), and some even say an agent of God. The adversarial / accusing spirit is fomenting doubt (primarily against humankind at this point I'd argue) but isn't yet in outright rebellion against God. The satan still shows up and is given voice at God's court (along with the children of God), and so is clearly not an outright enemy.

Finally you have Satan - primarily in the New Testament. By this point the spirit has entered into outright rebellion against God and bringing others to its cause. The adversarial / accusing spirit becomes personified (i.e., it is given a proper name - Satan).

So to answer the question, you can recognize 'the devil' in these ways. All of them go back to the basic meaning of the term. Doesn't matter the metaphor or physical manifestation (e.g., a lion or one disguised as an angel of light).

Sorry I don't follow (I'm stupid - you can ask anyone in this forum).
If I were to go outside right now and looked, how would I recognize the devil?

You should recognize it in anything playing or caught up in the blame game - expressing doubts or outright accusations of others (like in Eve when she accuses the serpent, or the satan when it questions Job). You should recognize it in anything exhibiting the enmity that can result, in all the various forms this can take.

Go created everything, it's said.
Allowed sin to enter into it for eating from the tree of knowledge, knowing what would happen, condemning mankind it's said.
Then punishes those who honestly can't find faith in it.
Some would say god's blaming humanity for something it had literally every reason and ability to avoid. Seems god is playing the blame game as well.

You have been misinformed. Note that I could have added a step in the genealogy prior to the serpent of Genesis 3: the deep/waters of Genesis 1:2. The deep (tehom) is commonly construed as the chaos that pre-exists creation with God, also exemplified as a dragon - close kin to the serpent we see in Genesis 3 (go wikipedia tehom or Tiamat if you want an unbiased view).

This throws a pretty big wrench in your works here.

Then you might want to tell the scores of leaders in christian churches that god seems to have appointed in its place to teach such things.

Not my problem. If you want to know what the bible says, there you have it. If you want to know what church leaders devised centuries / millennia later to force things (God included) into their patriarchal vision, keep going down the road you're on.

[2ndpillar2]

How can one recognize the devil?
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith" (I Peter 5:8-9)
There it's said he's a like a roaring lion, but here
"Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers" (II Corinthians 11:14-15).
it says he can be like an angel of light.

So which is it? A roaring lion or light angel? Contradictory much? Or maybe, the devil can be both things, at which point we're right back to the first question, how can one recognize him.

"Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
This seems to say if you're humble before god, you can resist the devil and he will leave you. But it still doesn't say how to recognize him.
This:
"He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).
doesn't seem to help recognizing him, either - just tells you what it claims the devil is.

Seems the devil is more of a spirit and less of a legitimate 'thing' (though some claim it's a very real person - see link below*, which seems odd to use the term 'person'), so maybe, to recognize it, when need to know where it lives today.
Pergamum was said to be “where the throne of Satan is” and “where Satan is dwelling.” (Revelation 2:13). However, some think this refers more to the satanic worship than an actual residence. Odd that god would let some think this and others think something else, but that's another story to address elsewhere.
The Bible says that the Devil rules over “all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth,” so he does not dwell in any one physical location on earth but is confined to the vicinity of the earth.​—(Luke 4:​5, 6).

For discussion: How does one recognize the devil? Or does that even matter? And where is the devil today?

* https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family ... the-devil/

In today's world, per Revelation 16:13, the devil's demon spirit rules the leaders/kings, in order to bring about Haro-Magedon (Revelation 16:16), which is the intended destruction of the Jews and Jerusalem (Zechariah 14). Per Matthew 16:23, the devil/Satan, dwelt in Peter, Simon Barjonas. As the pope claims to be the heir of Peter, well, there you go, another leader under the influence of Satan. As for Peter and the pope, apparently, they will claim leadership until "that day", the "day of the LORD", when the pope, the guy who claims to have the keys of David (Isaiah 22:22), will finally "fall", and those hanging on to him will be "cut off". (Isaiah 22;15-25). As per the "angel of light", per the false prophet Paul, an angel of light appeared to Paul in the wilderness. Keep in mind, a current medical condition, is Saint Paul disease, one in which the afflicted, suffer deafness, blindness, fainting, and illusions. Also keep in mind that according to Paul, Satan bequeathed Paul a "pain in the side". Just the kind of gift everyone hopes for.

[Tcg]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #1]

There is no verifiable evidence of the devil and no reason to accept that such a being exists. A good way to understand religious concepts is to examine the function they serve. The concept of a devil seems to serve the function to explain why pain and suffering exists and yet bypass blaming God for it. The devil is a scapegoat to protect God from blame.

Life can be beautiful and yet also painful and hard. There is no reason to credit God for one or blame the devil for the other. That's simply the essence of life.


Tcg

[2ndpillar2]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #1]

There is no verifiable evidence of the devil and no reason to accept that such a being exists. A good way to understand religious concepts is to examine the function they serve. The concept of a devil seems to serve the function to explain why pain and suffering exists and yet bypass blaming God for it. The devil is a scapegoat to protect God from blame.

Life can be beautiful and yet also painful and hard. There is no reason to credit God for one or blame the devil for the other. That's simply the essence of life.

Tcg

I am sure you have noteworthy pain, and that life is hard for you, but the devil's role was apparently to introduce death to mankind. Sweat and toil was the result of being thrown out of the garden of Eden. The devil's apparent present purpose is to keep one on the wide path to "destruction"/death by way of his false prophets (Matthew 7:13). Apparently, things are working out for the devil, for everybody will die. You can blame God all you want, it doesn't affect God, and it doesn't save you from death, and apparently from pain. As for the devil being a being, that is debatable. If demons require a body to exist, such as a swine, or a human, then the notion of a devil being a being is not what one might expect. Apparently, the devil likes mystery, such as secret societies, which try to bring about heaven on earth, such as the Illuminati, incorporated into other secret organizations such as the Masons and brought into the light as Marxism/Progressivism, now being implemented as the great reset, in which you will own nothing and be happy. Of course, the backer/contributor of the great reset, Bill Gates and Soros, expect to own everything, and like with Stalin, their progressive young followers will be taken to a vacation in the Gulag or simply released from all pain by a somewhat quick death.

[Tcg]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #1]

There is no verifiable evidence of the devil and no reason to accept that such a being exists. A good way to understand religious concepts is to examine the function they serve. The concept of a devil seems to serve the function to explain why pain and suffering exists and yet bypass blaming God for it. The devil is a scapegoat to protect God from blame.

Life can be beautiful and yet also painful and hard. There is no reason to credit God for one or blame the devil for the other. That's simply the essence of life.

Tcg

I am sure you have noteworthy pain, and that life is hard for you, but the devil's role was apparently to introduce death to mankind. Sweat and toil was the result of being thrown out of the garden of Eden. The devil's apparent present purpose is to keep one on the wide path to "destruction"/death by way of his false prophets (Matthew 7:13). Apparently, things are working out for the devil, for everybody will die. You can blame God all you want, it doesn't affect God, and it doesn't save you from death, and apparently from pain. As for the devil being a being, that is debatable. If demons require a body to exist, such as a swine, or a human, then the notion of a devil being a being is not what one might expect. Apparently, the devil likes mystery, such as secret societies, which try to bring about heaven on earth, such as the Illuminati, incorporated into other secret organizations such as the Masons and brought into the light as Marxism/Progressivism, now being implemented as the great reset, in which you will own nothing and be happy. Of course, the backer/contributor of the great reset, Bill Gates and Soros, expect to own everything, and like with Stalin, their progressive young followers will be taken to a vacation in the Gulag or simply released from all pain by a somewhat quick death.

As I said, there is no verifiable evidence of the devil. Your post doesn't address this fact.


Tcg

[Tcg]

You can see Satan in anything that opposes God. Lying, stealing, fornication, murder...etc (all sin basically) is where you will find Satan. He is the originator of the temptation to sin and he is smack-dab in the middle of sin.

You'd need to establish the existence of Satan before this post could be evaluated.


Tcg

[JehovahsWitness]

FIRSTLY PLEASE NOTE I make no claims here, I am simply expressing what I believe based on the bible. Please take all sentences to be preceeded by the premise "I believe ..."

For discussion: How does one recognize the devil?

According to the bible, Satan is an intelligent unseen spirit, a rebellious angel, so it is unlikely and human would literally see him or be able to identify him if they did.

Or does that even matter?

Recognising the Devil in appearance is less important than recognising what he does.

And where is the devil today?

On or in the vicinity of our planet earth.

ORIGINS

Who is Satan?
viewtopic.php?p=1068400#p1068400

Did God create the Devil?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 03#p969103

Did God create the devil?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 15#p835715

What does the bible say as to Satan's origins?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 40#p891940

Why is Satan never called an angel?
viewtopic.php?p=1110064#p1110064

Why would someone rebel against the Almighty?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 45#p338945

Is SATAN mentally deranged?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 55#p939655

EDENIC REBELLION

Did God curse literal snakes? Did snakes have legs?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 27#p836127

What did Satan do that was so wrong?
viewtopic.php?p=1049253#p1049253

Why didn't God destroy Satan immediately?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 75#p845975

Is Satan Gods adversary?
viewtopic.php?p=1106706#p1106706

When was Satan thrown out of heaven?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 97#p978897

Are there "good spirits" Christians should communicate with?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 72#p836072

Did Jesus believe the Devil exists?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 83#p409983

POWERS

Is SATAN omniscience and omnipresent?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 09#p848009

Why is Satan called "The God of this world"?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 23#p901623

In what sense does Satan "rule the world"?
viewtopic.php?p=1068633#p1068633

Has God allowed Satan to act without any restaints?
viewtopic.php?p=1096974#p1096974

Has Satan been unable to mislead the nations since Jesus earthly ministry?
viewtopic.php?p=1024782#p1024782

Grand puppeteer
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 93#p900093

Can Satan (and the demons) just pretend to be good?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 01#p828001

FATE

REV 20: 1-3What will happen to SATAN during the 1000 year rule of Christ?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 25#p905325

What will happen after the 1000 year rule of Christ?
viewtopic.php?p=909208#p909208

REV 20: 7-14 When will Satan be released from "the pit" and why?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 08#p909208

REV 20:10 What is the "lake of fire"/"the second death"?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 66#p337866

To learn more please go to other posts related to ....

ANGELS , DEMONS and ... SATAN THE DEVIL

[Chapabel]

You can see Satan in anything that opposes God. Lying, stealing, fornication, murder...etc (all sin basically) is where you will find Satan. He is the originator of the temptation to sin and he is smack-dab in the middle of sin.

You'd need to establish the existence of Satan before this post could be evaluated.


Tcg

No I don't. God has already established the existence of Satan.

[Chapabel]

You can see Satan in anything that opposes God. Lying, stealing, fornication, murder...etc (all sin basically) is where you will find Satan. He is the originator of the temptation to sin and he is smack-dab in the middle of sin.

I'd say god is the originator of temptation, because, if the story is true, god is before all things. Which means sin and the devil, which it either created or allowed to come to fruition. It also told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge which it placed there to begin with which, itself, is temptation. The devil was simply a scapegoat for god.

That aside, are you saying the devil isn't an actual 'being' but a concept?

You could say that, but you'd be wrong: James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

God did indeed place the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden and command man not to eat of it. God wants us to obey Him because we choose to, not because we have to. In order to choose God, there has to be a choice between Him and something else.

And yes, Satan is a being, not just a concept.

[Difflugia]

How can one recognize the devil?

I don't know about the devil himself, but according to Joseph Smith, you can tell his evil minions by offering to shake hands. They're spirits, so you won't feel it. They're evil, though, so they'll try to fool you and shake your hand anyway. So if you shake hands with someone and don't feel it, they're spirits from Satan!

Don't believe me? Read D&C 129.