Why doesn't the Devil show himself?

[Willum]

So we have all heard the arguments on why God won't show himself and instantly convert the entire world to beneficence.

But what is preventing the Devil, Satan, Lucifer etc., from revealing himself with opposite intent?
He is not proscribed from doing so by any reason is he? and if he existed, he certainly, through the power of positive proof, lies, and any misconstrue, he would certainly be able to get people to believe anything in lines with his own goals...
why doesn't he?

Let's assume for purposes of the OP, that this creature, Satan, and his legion of fallen angels, exist.

[Overcomer]

Willum wrote:

But what is preventing the Devil, Satan, Lucifer etc., from revealing himself with opposite intent?
He is not proscribed from doing so by any reason is he? and if he existed, he certainly, through the power of positive proof, lies, and any misconstrue, he would certainly be able to get people to believe anything in lines with his own goals...
why doesn't he?

I think he doesn't reveal himself blatantly to some because he really doesn't want people to know he exists. It's easier to manipulate and poison them if they aren't aware of his presence. People who know he's real learn how to fight him and beat him. Sadly, there are some he fools into joining him.

However, it's obvious that he's at work in the world -- murder, theft, lies, confusion, abuse, disease, ignorance, pornography, misogyny, sexual misconduct, meanness, hatred, war, poverty, racism, selfishness, greed, etc., etc., etc. -- these testify to his reality. Turn on the evening news and it's clear that he is alive and well and fomenting evil everywhere.

[Willum]

[Replying to post 2 by Overcomer]

Really, doesn't the Bible and millions of believers make that theory illogical? You believe in God because the Bible says so, but all exposed to the Bible really don't know Satan exists?

It is easier for him to manifest in China and non-devil believing places and, like Pinky and the Brain, "take over, the world."

All those other symptoms you mention seem to be the works of men, Satan experiences no benefit from the majority of them - or, with repentance being available, any of them.

Excellent use of the word "fomenting."

[1213]

…
But what is preventing the Devil, Satan, Lucifer etc., from revealing himself with opposite intent?
He is not proscribed from doing so by any reason is he? and if he existed, he certainly, through the power of positive proof, lies, and any misconstrue, he would certainly be able to get people to believe anything in lines with his own goals...
why doesn't he?

I think he can be seen in the actions of people, who serve him, with their lies, deception, murders and wars, for example in the Middle East.

But then there is also this:

And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
2 Cor. 11:14

So, if you want to see Satan, you probably don’t see, because you are looking wrong things. But maybe you would see him, in form of hypocrite person who outwardly looks nice, but inside is like in this:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.
Matt. 23:25

[marco]

....... he would certainly be able to get people to believe anything in lines with his own goals...
why doesn't he?

Let's assume for purposes of the OP, that this creature, Satan, and his legion of fallen angels, exist.

That people believe in Satan is a measurement of how little we have moved from the days of the brute patriarchs. If we stuck to believing that Satan is the personification of various wrongs we may do, all is well or unwell ..... as we wish.

Analysing what this absurdity might be doing on a wet Sunday evening reduces human beings to something less than a locust, food of the infamous Baptist.

[Willum]

[Replying to post 4 by 1213]

Well, this is quite an observation.
Because those I see responding in the way you describe are invariably Judeo-Christians, who vehemently not only deny such behavior, but cannot acknowledge they are performing it.

Always with some rationalization, that because God said to do it, it isn't bad, so it isn't Satan at all, but God.

The Middle-east strikes me as a God-problem, not a Devil one.

That begins to veer off topic, however.

The question is why Satan doesn't simply make himself known under conditions and in an environment that benefit him, and accomplish his goals.

[marco]

So, if you want to see Satan, you probably don’t see, because you are looking wrong things. But maybe you would see him, in form of hypocrite person who outwardly looks nice, but inside is like in this:

NO - if you WANT to see Satan you invent him, and say he is all the bad in all the world.
He is the evil creature we meet on moorlands, hunch-backed and malevolent.

You are referring to ordinary flaws in human beings. There is nothing Satanic in hypocrisy nor in lying or stealing; they are the marks of human activity, not particularly nice activity, but recognisably human. To balance things out, humans also cure the sick, they spend money on charity and the help their neighbours. Satan has nothing to do with this either - nor has God.

In the 19th century children were terrified of Boney (Napoleon) and he temporarily replaced Satan. I see Satan has been reinstalled in his place of honour. That's nice.

[Willum]

[Replying to post 5 by marco]

I am afraid I am unable to navigate your maze of hyperbole this time around. Can you elaborate?

[Clownboat]

Willum wrote:

But what is preventing the Devil, Satan, Lucifer etc., from revealing himself with opposite intent?
He is not proscribed from doing so by any reason is he? and if he existed, he certainly, through the power of positive proof, lies, and any misconstrue, he would certainly be able to get people to believe anything in lines with his own goals...
why doesn't he?

I think he doesn't reveal himself blatantly to some because he really doesn't want people to know he exists. It's easier to manipulate and poison them if they aren't aware of his presence. People who know he's real learn how to fight him and beat him. Sadly, there are some he fools into joining him.

However, it's obvious that he's at work in the world -- murder, theft, lies, confusion, abuse, disease, ignorance, pornography, misogyny, sexual misconduct, meanness, hatred, war, poverty, racism, selfishness, greed, etc., etc., etc. -- these testify to his reality. Turn on the evening news and it's clear that he is alive and well and fomenting evil everywhere.

To the bold. There is no doubt that you believe this.
What is important though, is whether or not you can show that you speak the truth.

Overcomer, are you being truthful with us or are you just spouting off your personal faith claims? If you are being truthful, please supply us with evidence.

[Clownboat]

I think he can be seen in the actions of people, who serve him, with their lies, deception, murders and wars, for example in the Middle East.

Only when Christians and Muslims stop telling their children that there is a god up there that loves them so much as to send them to heaven, yet hates another so much as to send them to hell will we ever stop the violence and bloodshed in the Middle East.

No Satan required, just a deflection of blame.