Why the devil wants to possess souls?

[cho_pilo]

Presumably, it is because souls have the power to make choices and they can be seduced into choosing evil over good. But what if your soul lacks power? Would the devil give up on you then, or would he still consider it useful for some purpose?

Thoughts?

 

[WorkerPriest]

I doubt the fundamental motive is power, or even choice. Scripture reveals that Satan hates God, and he hates man because God made and loves man. That hatred becomes particularly vicious in the case of the baptized, who have been grafted into Christ Himself.

Satan’s desire toward man, is likely to execute his hatred of God by drawing as many of us as he can into the infernal torments prepared for the devil and his angels. While he cannot attack God directly, he can attack those whom God loves… and we who have been weakend by sin and rebellion on our own part, are particularly easy targets.

The devil’s ultimate means to this end, is to undermine faith in Christ, thus dividing people from the only Savior who can save them from Satan’s tyranny. He has many tools to accomplish his ends, and possession is just one. Much more common are temptations to venial and mortal sin, and ultimately a cutting off of man from his Savior.

The ever-present and always efficacious counter-strike to all Satan has to employ, is faith and repentance, found in Christ’s Church through Word and Sacrament. The Christian who remains in Christ, has nothing to fear of the evil one.

Blessings to you.

Presumably, it is because souls have the power to make choices and they can be seduced into choosing evil over good. But what if your soul lacks power? Would the devil give up on you then, or would he still consider it useful for some purpose?

Thoughts?

 

[Waiting]

I doubt the fundamental motive is power, or even choice. Scripture reveals that Satan hates God, and he hates man because God made and loves man. That hatred becomes particularly vicious in the case of the baptized, who have been grafted into Christ Himself.

Satan’s desire toward man, is likely to execute his hatred of God by drawing as many of us as he can into the infernal torments prepared for the devil and his angels. While he cannot attack God directly, he can attack those whom God loves… and we who have been weakend by sin and rebellion on our own part, are particularly easy targets.

The devil’s ultimate means to this end, is to undermine faith in Christ, thus dividing people from the only Savior who can save them from Satan’s tyranny. He has many tools to accomplish his ends, and possession is just one. Much more common are temptations to venial and mortal sin, and ultimately a cutting off of man from his Savior.

The ever-present and always efficacious counter-strike to all Satan has to employ, is faith and repentance, found in Christ’s Church through Word and Sacrament. The Christian who remains in Christ, has nothing to fear of the evil one.

Blessings to you.

You sound like a Catholic, and a very good one. What is a Confessional Lutheran?

 

[WorkerPriest]

That is a kind assesment, for which I thank you.

A confessional Lutheran is one who subscribes to the catholic intent of the 1580 Book of Concord, which summarize the doctrinal confessions of the 16th century Lutherans. In modern parlance, it usually denotes a Lutheran who still believes the Holy Scriptures to be true, the Fathers to be sound guides to their interpretation, the historic Divine Liturgy (or Holy Mass) to be the proper form within which to receive the Holy Eucharist as the summit of Christian worship and life, and embraces a richly Sacramental theology with particular emphasis on Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Holy Confession/Absolution adminstered sacramentally through the Holy Office of the Ministry (Holy Orders.)

There are not many of us left.

Peace be with you.

You sound like a Catholic, and a very good one. What is a Confessional Lutheran?

 

[Waiting]

That is a kind assesment, for which I thank you.

A confessional Lutheran is one who subscribes to the catholic intent of the 1580 Book of Concord, which summarize the doctrinal confessions of the 16th century Lutherans. In modern parlance, it usually denotes a Lutheran who still believes the Holy Scriptures to be true, the Fathers to be sound guides to their interpretation, the historic Divine Liturgy (or Holy Mass) to be the proper form within which to receive the Holy Eucharist as the summit of Christian worship and life, and embraces a richly Sacramental theology with particular emphasis on Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Holy Confession/Absolution adminstered sacramentally through the Holy Office of the Ministry (Holy Orders.)

There are not many of us left.

Peace be with you.

Thank you for your explanation. Is there anything now that separates you from rejoining the Catholic Church?

 

[WorkerPriest]

The souls currently entrusted to my care.

The easiest thing for me to do right now, would be to submit to our local archbishop. The hardest thing for me right now, is bear the cross of catholicity amongst those who largely scorn or don’t understand it, that they may be fed and tended against the evils of the day.

It is the Lord who gave me my cross, and as much as I may wish to be delivered from it, I shall not remove my shoulder from its splintered beam, until the Lord lifts it Himself.

May the Lord have mercy on His people.

Thank you for your explanation. Is there anything now that separates you from rejoining the Catholic Church?

 

[Waiting]

The souls currently entrusted to my care.

The easiest thing for me to do right now, would be to submit to our local archbishop. The hardest thing for me right now, is bear the cross of catholicity amongst those who largely scorn or don’t understand it, that they may be fed and tended against the evils of the day.

It is the Lord who gave me my cross, and as much as I may wish to be delivered from it, I shall not remove my shoulder from its splintered beam, until the Lord lifts it Himself.

May the Lord have mercy on His people.

God bless you. You are truly doing God’s work. There have been many pastors join the Church with their parishoners. You’ll be in my prayers.

 

[cho_pilo]

I doubt the fundamental motive is power, or even choice. Scripture reveals that Satan hates God, and he hates man because God made and loves man. That hatred becomes particularly vicious in the case of the baptized, who have been grafted into Christ Himself.

Satan’s desire toward man, is likely to execute his hatred of God by drawing as many of us as he can into the infernal torments prepared for the devil and his angels. While he cannot attack God directly, he can attack those whom God loves… and we who have been weakend by sin and rebellion on our own part, are particularly easy targets.

The devil’s ultimate means to this end, is to undermine faith in Christ, thus dividing people from the only Savior who can save them from Satan’s tyranny. He has many tools to accomplish his ends, and possession is just one. Much more common are temptations to venial and mortal sin, and ultimately a cutting off of man from his Savior.

The ever-present and always efficacious counter-strike to all Satan has to employ, is faith and repentance, found in Christ’s Church through Word and Sacrament. The Christian who remains in Christ, has nothing to fear of the evil one.

Blessings to you.

Nicely explained WorkerPriest

 

[PAboy57]

The souls currently entrusted to my care.

It is the Lord who gave me my cross, and as much as I may wish to be delivered from it, I shall not remove my shoulder from its splintered beam, until the Lord lifts it Himself.

May the Lord have mercy on His people.

May Almighty God Bless you abundantly and lighten your load when your mission is completed.

 

[pablope]

The souls currently entrusted to my care.

The easiest thing for me to do right now, would be to submit to our local archbishop. The hardest thing for me right now, is bear the cross of catholicity amongst those who largely scorn or don’t understand it, that they may be fed and tended against the evils of the day.

It is the Lord who gave me my cross, and as much as I may wish to be delivered from it, I shall not remove my shoulder from its splintered beam, until the Lord lifts it Himself.

May the Lord have mercy on His people.

God bless you aplenty…WP.