- HubPages»
- Religion and Philosophy»
- Christianity, the Bible & Jesus
How Satan influences Christian Behavior
Christian Behavior – Is it the Devil or Is it Me?
Personal accountability is often disguised as “The Devil made me do it” in many Christian Religions today. Whatever happened to free choice and taking responsibility for your actions?
I read a post in the Religion and Beliefs forum on HubPages recently that went like this, and I quote:
“It is my contention that the Christian religion (and specifically following Christ) is guaranteed to cause conflict, wars, and ill will.
As proof – I cite the last 1800 years – including the HubPages forums as evidence.”
Etc. Etc. Etc.
http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/44468
Apparently the creator of this post feels that the Christian Religion causes conflict, wars, and ill will. To which I say, “What’s your point?” “Are you blaming the Christian religion for ALL wars and ill will?”
This person then ends the post with: “Which makes this a violent, aggressive, confrontational belief system - not loving.” To which I would have to say “I respectfully disagree.” Christianity as a whole, in my opinion, although I have no statistical evidence to back it, does more good to society than evil.
While Christians, or Christianity as a religion, is not perfect, it does provide a wealth of services to people around the globe that far exceeds any negative influence it may have. I will admit there are some members of the Christian religion that portray a bad image of Christianity, and it has had some low points in its history, but overall its influence has been good to humanity.
Is it the devil or is it me?
The devil made me do it! True or False?
Personal Accountability
This seems to me, to be a classic example of failure to recognize the principle of individual responsibility for your actions.
It is easy to blame the Christian religion as a whole with no regard for personal accountability. It’s just as easy to blame all Germans for killing Jews, and all white Caucasians for being prejudice against African – Americans.
I am not so naïve to deny that there has not been conflict, wars, and ill will created as the result of individuals in the name of Christ. However, throughout history, there has always been a thread of integrity that has enabled the truth of Christianity to rise to the top even though individual behavior has been to the contrary.
It is not Christianity or the belief in Jesus Christ as your personal savior that causes the violence, but rather the actions of each individual.
Are Non-Believers excluded from Heaven by God?
The National Rifle Association has a slogan that says: “Guns don’t kill, people do.”
Just as the anti-gun advocates want to remove all guns from the public sector, the anti-religion movement wants to eradicate religion, Christianity included. One argument I have heard as a basis for this opinion is the belief that Christians have a “key” to eternal life that non-believers are excluded from. They believe, or at least this is the way that I have interpreted it, is that this exclusion of non-believers is a catalyst for violence. Their argument is based on the history of religious wars and violence in the name of God.
Some of them actually feel that this is a form of prejudice, and that because they don’t believe in God, or a god, that they are being excluded from entry into Heaven. They are also going so far as to say that because they don’t conform to some of the Christian values that they are being shunned from receiving salvation.
They are blinded by the fact that, what they are asking is not something we can give. It is by belief in God, and Jesus Christ as our savior, that the gift of eternal life is received. It is given by God and God alone. Fail to believe, fail to receive.
Who’s to blame?
It was actually suggested that a plan could be devised that could replace all religions that would bring peace and harmony to the planet if we removed God or any reference to a higher power from the dialogue.
Again, a gross failure to recognize it is not the “plan” that has malfunctioned it is the operators.
It started in the Garden of Eden in Gen. 3: 12-13 when Adam blamed his actions on Eve and Eve blamed her actions on the Serpent.
And thus we have one of the strongest principles in the nature of sin: Failure to accept responsibility for our actions.
These two were the epitome of perfection in Gods creation of humans. They actually walked and talked with God face to face, and yet the power of Satan was able to persuade them to, momentarily forget everything God had done for them, and disobey his commands. To make matters worse, rather than repenting and asking for forgiveness, they point their finger at someone else and deny their own fault.
Does this make Satan responsible for your sin? Absolutely not!
Does he bring temptation? Yes!
Does he try to persuade our thinking? Yes!
Does He cause us to act inappropriately? No, not directly.
Personal accountability. We do it all on our own.
Are we influenced by Satan? Yes, if we succomb to temptation.
Does He make us do it? NO! God gave mankind free choice and it still reigns supreme today.
“We chose how we will live: Courageously, with purpose or in drift. We decide what is important and what is trivial in life. We decide that what makes us significant is either what we do or refuse to do: we decide. We choose. As we decide and as we choose, so our lives are formed.” Author Unknown
The Plan of Salvation
If Adam and Eve can’t overcome this sin, with their superior intellect and close personal relationship with God, how can we?
In Gods infinite wisdom, from the very beginning he instituted a plan.
That plan is Jesus Christ. It is through his perfect walk on this planet that Christ conquered death. And just by as one man everyone is susceptible to death; by one man everyone can have eternal life.
If you are of the mind set of the individual who created the forum post as mentioned above, and you do not recognize the existence of God and do not believe in Jesus’ death as redemption for your sin, then you exclude yourself. There is no prejudice. You have made a choice. Fail to believe, fail to receive.
Choose to believe, choose to receive.
Anyone can choose to believe if they want to. No special skill or talent required. You can point your finger in any direction and blame everyone around you, but ultimately you are accountable.
You are accountable for your actions, and you are accountable for what you believe. Believe Jesus was capable and worthy of redemption for your sins and you can receive the gift. Choose to believe, choose to receive.
Comments
After having done 24 years of intensive research and study of the Holy Scriptures of the Bible, in English, Africaans, Hebrew and Greek, it is most surprising of how many Christians there are today who are missing the mark of the Truth totally, and this includes Preachers and Teachers. There are only two types of Christians found today, and they are; 1) The Spirit filled Christian, which are not more than 36% of the Christian population. These are the Christians who obey the Godly process of God, and are dedicated to their calling no matter the cost. 2) Then there are the carnal christians, the dead christians, who are not less than 64% of the christian population. These are the christians who believe they know all, but yet do nothing true about what they know. They are afraid of losing their worldly status, fortune and fame, and foolishly believe that their carnal actions are acceptable to God. Preachers and Teachers of this kind, are on the increase, and they are spiritually murdering ignorant souls with charming and mind control. To conclude, Christians of today really need to sit down and re-evaluate their faith by considering the cost of being true Spirit filled christians. Hereby, to daily follow the Godly process as commanded by God, with total obedience, perfect love, faith and hope, before it is too late.
After having done 24 years of intensive research and study of the Holy Scriptures of the Bible, in English, Africaans, Hebrew and Greek, it is most surprising of how many Christians there are today who are missing the mark of the Truth totally, and this includes Preachers and Teachers. There are only two types of Christians found today, and they are; 1) The Spirit filled Christian, which are not more than 36% of the Christian population. These are the Christians who obey the Godly process of God, and are dedicated to their calling no matter the cost. 2) Then there are the carnal christians, the dead christians, who are not less than 64% of the christian population. These are the christians who believe they know all, but yet do nothing true about what they know. They are afraid of losing their worldly status, fortune and fame, and foolishly believe that their carnal actions are acceptable to God. Preachers and Teachers of this kind, are on the increase, and they are spiritually murdering ignorant souls with charming and mind control. To conclude, Christians of today really need to sit down and re-evaluate their faith by considering the cost of being true Spirit filled christians. Hereby, to daily follow the Godly process as commanded by God, with total obedience, perfect love, faith and hope, before it is too late.
- Author
Charles,
"Christians must not say that they are Christians, they must show that they are true Christians in DEEDS and in TRUTH."
Forgive me for the cliche...but, actions speak louder than words! An age old cliche that has been around for generations still holds true today more than ever. If we are not "living" our faith daily at work, at home, and at play, then we are not a sincerely converted Christian. Christian in not the name given to everyone who attends church as a social function, it is the name given to those whose lives are changed by what they learn and surrender themselves to Godly living. We choose to live a Godly life because it is a manifestation of our faith in action.
The Living Word of God verses the behavior of Christians today. Based upon research, study, evaluation and findings, the behavior of not less than 75% of christians today reveal that they have lost their sight of Spiritual Truth, and are blindly walking in the path of total destruction.
Based on the Living Word of God, their works can clearly be seen as it stands written in 2 Timothy 3 and more. Based upon interviews, 7 out of every 10 christians claimed it is not wrong to sin, as long as one asks for forgiveness each time. This shows a clear spirit of error, and they refuse to accept the Truth of God's Living Word. Further, it was found within research and study, that Christianity is the only religion in the world, that is divided with different brand names, different doctrines and standards. As confirmed by many outside the ranks of Christianity, this causes major confusion and raises many questions of doubt, especially with those who are seeking for the Truth. With many other shocking findings, the conclusion of it all is, Christians need to honestly sit down and evaluate their obedience towards God and His Living Word, and by this, to consider the costs of following Christ Jesus in Spirit and in Truth. Christians must not say that they are Christians, they must show that they are true Christians in DEEDS and in TRUTH.
Great post, but I am curious After someone is saved but they continue to blame all of their poor behaviors on Satan, never admitting or apologizing to others when they are wrong. How do you have a relationship with them in Church? This is also true of most of the Leaders there. If I have any issues to work out with them they are quick to just use the excuse, well you know Satan tried to have his way but it won't happen so let's keep our focus on Jesus. Okay, I think, but still, what about this issue that needs resolved, if we just wait until God fixes it what are we waiting on, what sign? If we aren't taking any personal involvement in the situation. Then they say let's just do what veryone wants wants here here and it will happen if God wants it. I understand a little, but I don't like it that we're always told just do what the Leaders want and no one else has decision choices but we'll wait for God and if it doesn't happen, it must be Satan in their eyes. I agree with you, It's not always Satan. They have choices too. How would one deal with these attitudes in a Church?
- Author
Marliza,
It is so sad that many people use individual behavior for their reason to not believe in God. They blame Christianities shortcomings for many of the worlds problems with no regard for individual accountability, including their own. A lot of people, including many Christians view Gods laws as too strict and suffocating. Thus they prefer to do as they please with no responsibility to keep Gods commands. Yet, at the same time they want a free pass to heaven. Of all the commands that God has made, there are only a few that MUST be kept in order to receive salvation, and one of them is BELIEVE...In God's existence, and in Jesus as our savior. Fail to believe, fail to receive.
"One argument I have heard as a basis for this opinion is the belief that Christians have a “key” to eternal life that non-believers are excluded from. They believe, or at least this is the way that I have interpreted it, is that this exclusion of non-believers is a catalyst for violence. Their argument is based on the history of religious wars and violence in the name of God.
Some of them actually feel that this is a form of prejudice, and that because they don’t believe in God, or a god, that they are being excluded from entry into Heaven."
Sorry about the long quote, but the spiritual truth that is hidden beneath this calm waters, is shocking and hits to the core..
I've been in spiritual warfare for some years now, and while this sounds unbelievable, yes, most demons and human spirits do comply with this thinking..
At exactly this last week, I was brutally attacked and unending accused and despised for my entrance into heaven, yet, the parties involved rejects Jesus and refuse to submit unto Jesus as Sovereign King..for the last month a war has been raging in my life over this exact issue..
The word "responsibility" seems to be like a curse word over them, the more they hear this word the more they attack. This is war, Jesus came to set a fire upon the earth, even if they know and see and understand yet still they choose otherwise...someone told me straight that he is not willing to bend his will to the will of Jesus...he said he loves his life the way it is (full of own will sin)..
so then the next strategy...they turn around and find a gullible christian who they can lay the blame on.."the Christian was not good enough, that's why I rejected Jesus, although Jesus did me no wrong, but what the heck, a Christian will pick up my tab under the heavenly law of forgiveness" "I will still make it to heaven then if a naive Christian could get me in, even if I don't accept Salvation from Jesus" is what they say....
Every now and then I roll back into some Hubs that've been out for a while and see what's up. This has always been an interesting topic. Essentially, we are born with free will. It is on us whom we shall follow and what we choose to do. It is no more satan's fault than God's fault. It is on us to choose which tree we pick from, so it really does come right back to the choices we make.
Perhaps satan has a certain draw for some as does God as do others. Joshua 24:15 does show us that a decision must be made and he made it. It may not be the one made by the guy down the road, but it is a decision nonetheless.
I thank you for taking the time to write this and yes, our actions have been and shall always be our sole reponsibility. Both satan and God are far too sharp to allow themselves to be the whipping post in someone's blamegame.
- Author
Aquasilver,
Hey John,Thanks for the support. There is a multitude of opportunity for new hubs that is laced throughout the forums. It's the only way to get a word in sometimes that is not attacked and ridiculed.
Ron
Liked this! I look forward to reading more!
Thanks Rocket, a good rebuttal and reminder.
John
- Author
RevLady,
Thank you. I always appreciate your comments and insight.
Ron
I am sure Christians expects unbelief to blame and point righteous fingers of accusations, as that is what they do in cohorts with their leader and our enemy. The blame game is as old as Adam and Eve and we have yet to learn that we are accountable and responsible for our own decisions and behaviors.
Blessings!
Forever His,
13