I'm trying to catch up while living in a motel..not easy. But I am glad to see this subject come up.

Jack wrote: "Well I believe as we move into the realm and age of the mature son Satan has less preeminence and we realize that God's hand is behind everything that occurs in our lives and in the world about us. Our focus is changed as we no longer blame everything on Satan."

I think the devil gets way too much "power PR" from Christians. It seems to me the Bible presents the devil as a needful servant to carry out God's purposes. Job is a good example. Satan knew his limitations and knew he could NOT go beyond what God had declared eventhough he wanted to.

Paul sought 3 times to be set free from the messenger of satan..but eventually blessed God in it. Paul even saw fit to "deliver some over to the devil." It was not to send them to hell or judge them, but for their own good: deliever them from their flesh or that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Even Jesus was sent by the Spirit into the desert to be tested. We all benefited from that! Even Judas was necessary to fulfill scripture..even to the extreme of having satan ENTER into him. Where would we be if that had NOT happened?

I don't believe the devil/satan is God's nemesis. That would put him too close on an equal plane with God. He is more like a useful servant, that MUST operate within the limits imposed whether he likes it or not.

I think Christians make too much out of satan and his power. He is on a chain and God has a hold of the other end. God is in FULL CONTROL!!

Charlie