Does It Really Matter If You Believe In The Devil?

Think about it this way. In Buddhism for example, they have a whole process related to thinking. They believe that a thought is just a thought, it doesn't have to be part of you, you are your actions. What they do in meditation is try to let go of the ego (defined as the false sense of self) and attain enlightenment. They do this by letting thoughts surface and then slowly letting them go. This is the best self control training you can do in my experience. There's some debate about whether you should examine those thoughts later, but it's a common practice to let the thoughts go for a time.

Now let's say the devil is putting thoughts in your head, does it really matter if you decide he's the devil or the ego? Different paths, similar choice.

Hello,
YES it does matter, if you believe in the devil.. Gods Holy Word names HIM, Describes Him, tells stories of His actions, therefore he exists...to NOT believe is to NOT believe GODS word thus NOT a Christian...

I know it doesn't matter to Buddhists, but if you're a Christian it matters. The New Testament is full of teachings and warnings about Satan. Unless you believe all of that is irrelevant, then yes, it matters.

I think perhaps he's a personification of the dark side of mankind, or one could say the worldly side of mankind.

I would consider Buddhist practices to be irrelevant to someone seeking Truth since it is a false religion. For Truth, the Bible is the go to book since it is God's own Word to us and for us. It would be unwise to pick and choose what we are to believe from the Bible. We know a bit about lucifier (the devil) from the Bible.

Do you not believe Satan/the devil predated the creation and existence of humanity?

I knew that much, I just wondered if it was really necessary. At the end of the day, all you need to know is what the good and bad ideas are.

I don't know honestly. I am and am not a Christian. I heed Jesus, but not necessarily
the rest of the bible. I treat most of it like a series of rumors that may be true.

I have schizophrenia and I get paranoid about demons.

I don't know honestly. I am and am not a Christian. I heed Jesus, but not necessarily the rest of the bible. I treat most of it like a series of rumors that may be true.

If you value truth then it's necessary. Jesus taught that Satan was an actual spiritual entity. If you follow Buddhism, or some other philosophy, I guess it's not necessary; but Buddhism can't save your soul, Jesus can. I'm a Christian so I believe Jesus. Buddhism is essentially atheistic. I studied Buddhism and practiced Buddhist meditation when I was younger. I gave it up because it didn't satisfy my longing for truth. Maybe that's why you're here, looking for truth.

I think perhaps he's a personification of the dark side of mankind, or one could say the worldly side of mankind. It's not best if you view your dark side as part of your identity though, because then you may begin to follow it. They call him "the beast" and I have this idea that mankind is the "god beast" which I would describe as the point at which a beast conjoins with a god, so in theory we are where good meets evil, where enlightenment meets instinct, which is why we have so much more free will than any other creature on this planet.

I don't mean to say there aren't evil spirits that walk the earth though. I just am not sure they're fallen angels, I mean there's enough bad people that walked the earth and passed on that you don't really need demons to walk the earth.

I am very sorry to hear that...

Demons can be extraordinarily frightening if one does not have a sense of God's protection.

That's a whole lot of your OWN thinking and not much of what the Bible teaches.

Think about it this way. In Buddhism for example, they have a whole process related to thinking. They believe that a thought is just a thought, it doesn't have to be part of you, you are your actions. What they do in meditation is try to let go of the ego (defined as the false sense of self) and attain enlightenment. They do this by letting thoughts surface and then slowly letting them go. This is the best self control training you can do in my experience. There's some debate about whether you should examine those thoughts later, but it's a common practice to let the thoughts go for a time.

Now let's say the devil is putting thoughts in your head, does it really matter if you decide he's the devil or the ego? Different paths, similar choice.

Yeah I am slowly recovering, but it's taking a very long time. I am just doing everything I can to help my mental health. It's not at all helpful being afraid, I try to catch every moment of peace I can. The thing I hate most is my mind will come up with little characters based on my religious beliefs, and sometimes it creates demons. I feel so vulnerable sometimes, and frail.