Do you believe in the devil?

United States
April 22, 2010 11:18am CST
I'm sure this will stir up many feelings, emotions and opinions. I'm not trying to begin any type of war here, but I am genuinely interested in the view points of others (especially Christians) on this. Lately, I've noticed a trend of "believers" saying they don't necessarily believe in the devil/satan. Or, that they believe what the Bible says about Lucifer (beign cast out of Heaven, etc), but don't believe he (satan) has any powers / forces at work today... What do you think?
2 people like this
8 responses
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
22 Apr 10
Hey u, I saw a movie named The exorcism of Emily rose and there was a scene where it was said that when there is a devil there must be a god also. I guess Yes they both exists and they exist right inside all of us. Its the matter of time and the situations which brings either the devil or the god in the front. Cheers, Tutul
2 people like this
22 Apr 10
ya,ya!!I've watched it too..hehe..well they really both exist.. :)
2 people like this
• United States
22 Apr 10
Loved that movie. I thought the "Hollywood portrayal" of demon possession was done very well.
2 people like this
@Margajoe (4709)
• Germany
22 Apr 10
When you watched the Movie of Emily Rose, you should have seen that Emily was sick. Seems the brain can play tricks on you. When the brainwaves contact wrong you get muscle cramps, leading you to make moves that look like you are being possessed. Personally I think they over exaggerated the Movie. This to make it sell better. I do believe there was a Emily that had certain symptoms, but like I said, she was sick in her brain. That is why at the end they could not put the blame on the Preacher or the doctor. It was not explainable. The Brain is very powerful, we don't even use most of it. No one knows what the brain is capable of.
1 person likes this
@olepmis (840)
• Philippines
22 Apr 10
Christians do believe that the devil exists since it is mentioned in the Holy Bible. Any forms or things that against the word of God is devilish. Inside of anyone of us there is a devil thing that if we could not control will result to destruction or broken relationship such as envy, jealousy, greediness and so on and so forth. So be watchful.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Apr 10
Ty so much for your response. I am so intrigued by everyone's answers.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
30 Apr 10
I hope you know the story of JOB in the bible. He was "played" at by the devil himself. It was the devil's doing that he suffered, that he lost his family, that he was sick... all this because he wanted Job to worship the devil instead of worshipping God who seems to have forgotten him (at that point in time of his life). Consider everything as a test happening to you, not God's choice but by the Devil's pursuasive act of trying to lure you into darkness and to turn your back to God. Devils or demons, are fallen angels, and if you do believe in angels... i think you ought to believe on their bad counterparts as well. =) though i think the lesser you believe in their powers, the lesser they have control over you.
• United States
30 Apr 10
Thank you very much for your reply! I agree w/ you to an extent. Although, I do believe in demons, I also believe one of the biggest mistakes we can make (spiritually) is to minimize the influence they can have on us. More times than not, we misinterrpret their influence w/ our own thoughts and feelings. Being able to determine where a thought is coming from can be difficult. Which is why I believe it is vital to have the Holy Spirit's guidance in all that we do. Thanks!!
@Margajoe (4709)
• Germany
22 Apr 10
I think the devil is just negative energy. You create your own energy. When you are always thinking negative, you are making yourself feel bad. A guilty conscience, is also a kind of devil. We create it ourselves. Personally I don't believe there is a devil, unless you want one to be there. People can create there own heaven or hell here on earth. When you are a Christian, you have nothing to fear. For Believers of Jesus Christ, you are saved.(Not just Christians, Believers in Christ.) You have no devil around, because Jesus paid the price.
@mokkka (881)
• Bulgaria
23 Apr 10
I also think there is no way of the devil as we know it let's say from the films to exist.But there is certainly some kind of energy that can lead to different things happening with us.
1 person likes this
22 Apr 10
It's true..we are really lucky.. :))
2 people like this
• Philippines
22 Apr 10
wll that's great topic. for me i can't believe in the devil. its only imagination to all people because we were try to scare us. for me all of devil works are not works. because all peoples do bad doing because of anguish to her life. that the one reason why have a devil.
22 Apr 10
I think there is..it's just that the belief of a person in God makes evil blown away from someones life..well however things like evils,ghost,etc. are just all in the minds of people..believing in God makes us more feel very easy on the way of life..he can cast fears out by just trusting in him..I'm not saying that I'm very very religious it's just that I believe in God in almost everything..everything that is happening to us is by the guidance and choice of our lord and he's always the one responsible for the steps we're taking.. well..have a nice day.. :))
@RachelleNH (1396)
• United States
22 Apr 10
I believe in him...and I can't believe that anyone saying they're a christian would dispute his existance. It's all there in the bible. I believe he's out there trying to cause trouble-but God is also out there.
@MaryK56 (26)
• United States
24 Apr 10
I definitely believe that there is a devil. If you can acknowledge that Jesus Christ was a real person, then consider this: Jesus not only kicked him and his followers out of heaven, but also met the devil more than once while on earth, according to the scriptures. He met the devil when he fasted in the desert for forty days, and was tempted by him; He cast devils out of a man, and they then entered into some pigs who drowned themselves; He cast multiple devils out of Mary Magdalen. Also, during the course of history, many Popes and followers of Christ performed exorcisms on multiple occasions. The Catholic Church has a rite for exorcism that began in the 1400's that is still in use today. Pope John Paul II performed at least two exorcisms, and I just read that Pope Benedict has done them as well. BTW: Emily Rose and the movie, "The Exorcist," are based upon true stories that those in the Catholic Church had encountered. Also, this is not JUST about Catholics, either. There is a Tele-Evangelist named John Haggie who had his own encounters with the devil(s), as well as other Christian leaders I've read about. The devil and his kind are spiritual beings who are capable of possessing both humans and animals, and history has documented this as fact. If someone chooses not to believe in the devil, that's OK because the devil knows and believes in you. I'm sure that he (and they) would just love to manipulate someone who might prefer not to believe, whether it's a person, an animal, a country, etc. In my opinion, don't mess with the devil! PS: To get a bit better idea, read this book--"The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. It will give you an idea about how he/they manipulate.
• United States
24 Apr 10
Thank you so much for your reply! I am a huge fan of John Hagee also!