Our Sinful Nature and the Devil

Hey Guys,Just a query.How does the devil influence our sinful nature?How does he make some people do certain things?Cheers,Michael H

How does the devil influence our sinful nature?If you read carefully 2cor. 10:3-5 you will see what paul concludes, starting with thoughts that build and finally result in strongholds of the enemy. If you and I do not have a proper foundation built by the Spirit of God upon the written Word of God, we will have no defense against the wiles(lies against the word of God) of the devil.Consider these verses found in 2 timothy 2:24-262Ti 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 2Ti 2:25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 2Ti 2:26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Unbelievers are already captured , they are sinners, verse 26 is speaking about christians, who have falling away into sin, carried away by there lusts....which started with one seed- a thought. So with that information, you shuld be able to see how satan can make people fulfill his will. Blessings :-)

It is interesting Michael that you brought up this subject. It has been raised a few times recently, and so I think it is very important. We need to know answers in order to avoid being led away by deception about the devil (which is what he'dwant). I've been thinking on this a lot. From what I can understand, the devil has no POWER over us in a sense that he cannot FORCE our will, but he influences it through deception. Thus we must ultimately take accountability of all our choices. I put some more of my thoughts here - as it relates to the fall of man: The Devil made me do it - NOTThis is only a beginning, and must be reshaped. I trust that some more thoughts will be shed on this thread. If we can't apply these concepts into the realities of life, then it is merely a theological discussion. Diane

roadsign wrote:I've been thinking on this a lot. From what I can understand, the devil has no POWER over us in a sense that he cannot FORCE our will, but he influences it through deception. Thus we must ultimately take accountability of all our choices.Satan has no authority over the redeemed ones, so the only way he can get us into sin is by deceiving us by telling us lies, he is called a deceiver and father of lies. That's what he did in the garden where our fore father Adam and mum Eve lived. he just made them believe in his words than that of The Most High.The power of our flesh is great that we lust after the things of this world and sin often. I disagree with people who blame satan for all the sin that comes to their lives.As a son / daughter of God the Most High we need to give ear to His voice and obey the Spirit not the flesh.BlessingsHoping to hear more from you all.

How does the devil influence our sinful nature?I just wanted to add some of my thoughts to the wisdom of the other respondents.James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Ephesians 6:10, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.2Cor.11:14,15, And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; James puts it very plainly: Submit to God and resist the devil. Submitting to God means that Jesus becomes your All in All. Whatever He taught and teaches, we obey. He quoted three Scriptures when tempted by the devil, and the devil left.We have to know Scripture. We have to really understand Who Jesus is (which may seem a “funny” thing coming out of my mouth, after a previous thread). As is written by Paul to the Corinthians, Satan is transformed as an angel of light and there ministry workers of various kinds who actually come across as ministers of righteousness. We often think of what is understood as “bad – dirty” things being from Satan, but many things in the Church have the same demonic source.A study of the book of Ephesians is very helpful, for it is like a long exhortation by Paul in which he addresses a whole range of topics and then writes: FINALLY…BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. All that preceded this statement in Eph.6:10: FINALLY…. prepares us for what lies ahead as is written in Eph.6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high (places). Just the first chapter alone, defines who we are “in Christ.” Chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. A suggestion: when you study this letter, begin with the prayer: ”That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” (Eph.1:17,18).Paul documents two prayers in this letter. These prayers contain a number of extremely important requests to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am preparing a separate post in which I want to address these two prayers, for they contain a wealth of riches, which, if we are sincere in our hearts will help us greatly in “Being Strong in the Lord.”Bottom line: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1John3:8).

Hello there. Am I out of place to ask what is meant by sinful nature? Do you mean the propensities of the flesh? The desires of the flesh? Then Adam and Eve had a sinful nature. And Christ had a sinful nature.

Randy,Since the fall man has set himself up as his own god (that is the lie of satan,"you shall be as God"). The desires of the "flesh" could rightly be interpreted as the desires of the "self" setting up your own agendas instead of Gods agendas. Romans 8:7 says"the MIND set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, FOR IT IS NOT EVEN ABLE TO DO SO."And Eph 4:17" So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their MIND, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them..."When man fell, his spirit, mind and body became seperated from God, he set up his own agenda and that is what is meant by the sinful nature or the fleshly desires.

Hello there. Am I out of place to ask what is meant by sinful nature? Do you mean the propensities of the flesh? The desires of the flesh? Then Adam and Eve had a sinful nature. And Christ had a sinful nature.randyI think this is the key question; what do we mean by...? The problem as it stands is that this is not 'bible language'. The scriptures don't really refer to 'nature' or to 'self'. These are modern definitions of actual Bible phrases rather than true Bible language. For myself, I discipline my mind to ask Bible questions in Bible language; it forces me to shape my experience in Bible language rather than the other way around.I will illustrate; The NASV has, in Romans 6:6, 'our old self was crucified'. This is already getting us on the wrong track. The concept of the 'self' is from psychology not from Bible revelation, and makes a nonsense of this verse. By implication, we have 'new self' on the way, but would a new 'self' be any better than an old 'self'? Some other versions will speak of 'our old nature' but again we have moved away from the language of the Bible.The Bible word used in this particular verse is 'man' and is a continuation of the thoughts which begin in Rom 5:12 relating to 'two men'; the first man and the second man, the first man is according to Romans 6:6 'the ancient man'; who is this? This is Adam. There is another vital truth in this verse which is that it is 'our old man', not 'our old men' and not 'my old man'. There is a plurality and a singularity mixed together. I do not have 'an old man'; there is no 'an old man', there is only 'the old man' which we all share.If Christ has dealt with 'the old man' all that is necessary is for me to be trully 'in Christ'. I am not referring to Bible verses here but to the reality of having been 'immersed into Him' and 'abiding in Him'. What I am trying to do is to drive a wedge in between the ideas of 'the old man' and 'the flesh'; these two Bible concepts are not synonyms. Christ had 'flesh' but he had no 'old man'.

I will illustrate; The NASV has, in Romans 6:6, 'our old self was crucified'. This is already getting us on the wrong track. The concept of the 'self' is from psychology not from Bible revelation, and makes a nonsense of this verse. By implication, we have 'new self' on the way, but would a new 'self' be any better than an old 'self'? Some other versions will speak of 'our old nature' but again we have moved away from the language of the Bible.Excellent point Ron! The NIV makes the same blunder. Ah! these modern versions...

Hello there, me again. My version of scripture (kjv) reads thus "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the 'carnal' mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." My question to honest inquirers is this "Do you yet have a carnal mind?" "Does a Christian have a carnal mind?" "to be carnally minded is death" "to be spiritually minded is life" so then if the so called 'sinful nature' is synonymus with the carnal mind then we are all, assuming we have a sinful nature, partaking of spiritual death. When man fell, his spirit, mind and body became seperated from God, he set up his own agenda and that is what is meant by the sinful natureA man setting up his own agenda is what is meant by sinful nature? A man setting up is him doing. A man having a sinful nature is him having something. I can't help but see the inconsistency. Besides 'a sinful nature' is a misuse of the word 'nature'. A man's nature can be sinful, but it is improper to say that a person can have a nature. His nature is what he is not what he possesses. Please reply.

Randy, I'm no theologian but my understanding would be that when Adam fell the whole of his being became corrupted.So what he is or what he possesses is moot, outside of Christ he is lost.

Hi Randy,My question to honest inquirers is this "Do you yet have a carnal mind?" "Does a Christian have a carnal mind?" "to be carnally minded is death" "to be spiritually minded is life" so then if the so called 'sinful nature' is synonymus with the carnal mind then we are all, assuming we have a sinful nature, partaking of spiritual death. There has been much discussion on these points for some time now. You may benefit from a search on the topic. But a short answer to your question is that everything depends on whether or not we are in Christ. If we are in Christ our old man is dead because of the finished work of the cross. This does not mean we cannot be tempted. What it means is that when we are in Christ Sin shall not have dominion over you. Christ is ruling and reigning where Sin once reigned. Where we once had the Spirit of disobedience- we now have the Holy Spirit. Where once we were in Adam and were by nature the children of wrath; we are now in Christ and are children of God by adoption. We have a new ancestor- Christ, therefor we have aquired His characteristics in terms of obedience- where once we had Adam's. So on and so forth.The problem is that we still have natural desires (appetites that are not in of themselves bad) and yet we live in a sinful world. Temptation is an appeal to the intellect to satisfy a good appetite in a bad way. A good sermon to introduce these concepts is Paris Reidhead's Dangers of Third Generation Religion.The question is - is there any residual Sin left in man once he/she is regenerated and in Christ? I am not asking here if we have a "sin nature" as it is generally understood, but is there somewhat left in the Christian that needs to be dealt with? Is the problem merely that Christians are not yet glorified and because of this they are more vulnerable to sinning than they would be if glorified? Why is death still necessary? Why can't the regenerate live forever without passing through physical death? Why can't we now come under the Law and keep the Law since our mind is no longer at enmity with God? Why do my members need to be continually mortified? It seems to me that there is something residual left, but I can't get my head around the issue. I don't have enough mental RAM to pull up all the variables at once and come to an understanding. I have to keep compartmentalizing the issues and dealing with them individually. One thing I know- if you stay FULL of the Holy Spirit- He will helpeth our infirmities. When we cease to be 'filled'- we start having trouble. God Bless,-Robert

Hello Jimbob, I do not profess to be a theologian either however the doctrine of constitutional sinfulness seems to me to be a stumbling block to sinners and Christians alike. From what I understand of the doctrine Adam's posterity has received from him some ailment of the flesh that makes it difficult if not impossible for him to obey God. What happened with Adam when he sinned? Did some change occur in his physical constitution? I can't see that any where in the Bible. I said to a lady once "You say that you sin every day! Why?" "Well it's my sin nature." It seems to be the one-liner excuse for sin.

Thanx for your input Robert. It seems as though people have the idea that without a sinful nature temptation would be impossible however Christ was tempted and Adam and Eve were tempted so was the devil neither of which would have had a sinful nature, according to popular theology. When ever a person under popular theology is tempted they always think of their sin nature Randy

Randy, I hope I didn't imply that a regenerated person has a sin nature!I believe a christian has a totally free will to choose right or wrong, but the unbeliever even when he chooses right he himself is still wrong, for he is apart from God. Calvanist call it total depravity (correct me if I'm wrong). Anyway, I don't believe it is possible for Satan to MAKE a believer do anything, he can only temp.But a temptation is not a sin, for a believer to act on a temptation is.As far as why we still do sin after conversion, my suggestion would be because the mind has to catch up to what the spirit already knows is true. We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds as Paul put it.And yes, we did inherit traits from Adam. The first is spiritual death for God told Adam in the garden "the day you eat from it you shall die".The second is physical death, the evidence for that is all around us.

Jimbob. What do you call sin. As far as I know John Wesly's definition of sin is 'a willful transgression or the law'. Is this your definition of sin. I say that I agree with him. I think that many believe that sin can be unwillful. If you hold that sin can be unwillful than I will not object to your suggestion that our mind has to catch up with what the spirit knows is true. However you said that for a believer to act on a temptation is sin. Now an act of an individual implies the involvement of the will. And if the will is free then sin is not necessary. As for receiving traits from Adam I do not believe that physical death is a trait received from Adam. I think it just as proper, if not more, to say that the tree in the garden was needed by Adam and the rest of humanity in order to survive. I believe that God banished Adam's posterity from the garden foreknowing that they would sin as well. As for receiving spiritual death from Adam I think it erroneous to say that anyone can receive anything moral from anyone else. What is spiritual death? I think it is a moral state of rebellion against God. Can a child be in rebellion against God? I Don't think so. If so then who will argue against the early Calvanists who believed that unconverted children went to hell. I believe that Adam was a type of all humanity even as Christ was a type of the Christian. Now I don't suggest that Adam's relation to mankind was limited to typology neither do I suggest the same of Christ. God told ADAM that on the day that he would eat thereof that HE would surely die. And a text for light."and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" seemingly implying that the reason that death passed upon all men was their own sin foreknown.Ready for correction and/or refining. Randy

Randy,Did you ever really have a question in your mind when you started this thread, or were you baiting for a debate for the sake of expressing your own opinion?So you believe God "foreknew" that the children of Adam would sin, so based on "foreknowledge" he banished them from the garden. Why not just banish Adam immediately after the children were born and give it another go? Surely if God raised the children Himself they would have all the moral upbringing anyone could possibly need to make all the choices so as to avoid sin? Or are you suggesting that God created man with a propensity toward sin and therefore knew they all were just going to do it anyway and so gave them the boot? In the garden 100% of humanity fell, 100% sinned.That is a fact. If you are suggesting that unregenerate mankind have some sort of choice NOT to sin, then it would stand to reason that at least some of mankind kind would be born not to sin. But another fact is that 100% of mankind do still sin, and all the arguments in the world will not get you away from the fact that we are spiritually and genetically predisposed to sin.Can a child be in rebellion against God? Exodus 20:4 " I am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the CHILDREN..." Not because He "foresee's" their sin but because the children are going to INHERIT the iniquity of their fathers.Although I'm no calvanist, I would suggest you read the book Chosen by God (RC Sproul). To me it sounds as if you could use a better understanding of Gods sovereignty, man's sinfulness, and God's grace. Do not be conformed to the image of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your MIND.

Jimbob, I guess you're right about my deep down inclination to speak on this topic. The question, however, is genuine "what do 'you' mean when you say 'sin nature'. I don't think many people have worked out this doctrine to it's logical conclusion. I do believe that man is born with a nature that tends toward sin. I do also believe that man's nature can tend toward holiness. Man, I believe, has universally chosen the pleasurable path. I don't think anyone would say that man was so constituted with sin nature that he tends toward homosexuality. The reason for this is that the scriptures plainly declare that such is "contrary to nature". I believe that man was made for God. That the only real satisfaction that can ever come to man is by way of obedience to God. This seems to be an indication that the nature of man is designed to be in obedience. In this way man's nature would tend toward holiness. Those who suppose that man inherited a sinful nature from Adam think that man has lost the image of God through Adam. The scriptures say "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God." 'Are made' present tense.My real quarrel, friend, is that this doctrine seems to imply the necessity of sin. The unavoidableness of sin, if there be such a word. This spell checker says otherwise. Any doctrine that directly states or even implies the necessity of sin slanders God. It has implied libel against the character of God. What do I mean? Well who is to blame for my sin if my sin is necessitated because of my nature received from Adam? Am I, who gave no consent whatever to the receiving of this nature? I cannot be. And if I could not help but sin because of my nature then God is unjust in damning anyone to hell in the same situation. And is not God responsible for making man in such a way that when Adam sinned his posterity would receive his nature? Any way that a person reasons on the subject of the necessity of sin God is by this doctrine impliedly slandered.Now I don't know whether you or anyone else on this website actually believes in the necessity of sin. In fact I do believe that your God given intelligence must rebel against the very thought. Now as for as I understand of the doctrine it has it's origin in a heathen philosophy, that is Gnostisism. And I do think that Paris Reidhead has mentioned vaguely this very thing in one or more of his sermons. There is, in spite of it's popularity, a suprising lack of clarity, seemingly, surrounding this topic. I am I am not free from this lack of clarity. I know some things. I know from studying the topic that there are three forms of it. 1)The 'Realistic Theory' originated by Augustine, who by the way spent seven years of his life in a Gnostic cult. This theory teaches that man literally existed in Adam when he sinned and is therefore just as blame worthy as he is for his sin. Why man did not exist in him during his reconciliation has yet to be answered. This theory is supposedly verified by Heb 7:9&10"and as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him."This I take as a figurative language that is meant simply to defend the superior priesthood of Christ. There is a text, in this regard, that I would bring to the attention of all who read this. "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)" "neither having done any good or evil". And no one could argue against the doctrine that little children, unsaved, will be in hell if this doctrine were true. 2)The second theory is the 'Federal Theory'. This theory teaches that Adam was the federal representative of the human race. God treats man according to the merits of Adam. This contradicts the 'law of God written upon our hearts' in the plainest fashion. Not to mention that it contradicts the scriptures." What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children' teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, (that...: Heb. judgment and justice) 6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour' wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, 7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; 8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, 9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD. 10 If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things , (robber: or, breaker up of an house) (that doeth...: or, that doeth to his brother besides any of these) 11 And that doeth not any of those duties , but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour' wife, 12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, 13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. (blood: Heb. bloods) 14 Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father' sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like, 15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour' wife, 16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, (hath not...: Heb. hath not pledged the pledge, or, taken to pledge) 17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. 18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity. 19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."Ezec 18There are texts that supposedly teaches the 'Federal Theory'. Many are found in Romans 5."Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world"vs.12"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one"vs.17"Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation"vs.18Now may if you read my signature you will find a law of proper interpretation. The law is that a scripture that is adduced in the proof of a theory it may not at all be explicable on any other hypothesis. These verses may be justifiably expounded as meaning all kinds of things for they speak only of the fact that because of Adam's sin man as a whole fell and was therefore treated according to their personal merit. It speaks not one word of the manner in which Adam's sin made the rest of man sin. It is blindly assumed that 'natural generation' was the manner in which they were made to sin in consequence of Adam's sin. 3) The third theory is the 'Naturalistic Theory'. This theory teaches that man has received nature from Adam that necessitates his sin. This plainly places all the blame for sin on Adam. If I am not the author of my own moral nature then I am not to blame for my sin.And as I said before God would be the author of the connection between Adam and his posterity that makes his posterity to receive his nature.And, by the way, if sinners beget sinners then why don't Christians beget Christians.I say all this for the sake of expressing the real ambiguity involved when speaking on this topic. Some mean one theory, some mean another, most mean some kind of mixture of them all. Anyway I'll finish by saying that the doctrine of the 'freedom of the will' is a universal fact of consciousness and is also implied by the scriptures. And the doctrine of the freedom of the will negates every form of the doctrine of the necessity of sin.I hope you understand where I am coming from and where I am going with all this.Loving righteousness and hating iniquity, Randy

Randy, God bless your fingers! That would have taken me DAYS to type.Just a couple of questions;1. Did you choose Christ or did Christ choose you?2. If the Lord "does not wish for ANY to perish but for all to come to repentance" 2 Peter 3:9, then why did He harden Pharaoh's heart? Romans 9:14-18Now please, no lengthy theories, use ten words or less for each answer. Please respond via PM.The Lord bless you and keep you.