Loving the enemy, does it mean loving the Devil in accordance?

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LibralAteoJesus

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As a Christian, do you pray for the conversion of the devil?
 
No we don’t pray for the devil’s conversion, because he used his will to choose against God. Jesus indeed told His followers to pray for those who spitefully use them (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28), but the context of these passages make it clear that Jesus was speaking about how to treat our fellow man. Nowhere in Scripture are we asked or commanded to pray for the salvation of Satan or his angels. In 1 Peter 5:8–9, we are told to beware of Satan and resist him steadfastly in the faith. In James 4:7, we are told to resist the devil. We are also told in Ephesians 4:27 not to give place to the devil, and Ephesians 6:12 states that we wrestle against satanic and demonic forces.

Also, 2 Peter 2:4 states that “God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell (Greek: tartarus) and delivered them into chains of darkness.” Jude 6 states, “The angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” Revelation 20:10 declares that Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and tormented forever. Knowing that God has already guaranteed the condemnation of Satan and these fallen angels, how can we then pray for their salvation? We would essentially be praying for God to go back on His Word, which we know He cannot do (Titus 1:2).

Hope this helps, God Bless!

-Vince
 
As a Christian, do you pray for the conversion of the devil?
No.

Church teaching is that the fallen angels have made an irrevocable choice. They are beyond “conversion”, which is a grace granted by God to humans alone.

And the Gospel passage about “love thy enemy”, in context, clearly refers to human enemies, not demons.
 
There is some Western saint who wrote about compassion for the Fallen Angels. I can’t remember who, though. Getrude the Great? When it comes to me, I will let you know.
 
I think CS Lewis also said something about this…perhaps that if satan had a sit down with God this would end the rebellion? Was this in screw tape letters?

Of course we believe that the fallen angels’ sin is eternal, in other words they saw the full ramifications of their sin (including their imminent failure and damnation) but sinned anyway.
 
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