I know that this is probably a silly question. But HOW did the devil (Lucifer) get so much power? I mean he is only an angel right? He should have no more power then Gabriel or Michael. So then why does he get to cause so much destruction and devestation here on earth? Also, why does God allow his behavior yet does not allow other angels to intercede for his saints? How did Lucifer get so much power in the first place. He is not equal in any way to God, so why is he so special that he gets special powers and can take people to hell and have power over demons and such?
Sorry if this is a religion 101 question, but I just can not figure it out.
Debbie
Jesus said an interesting thing to the people one day. He said, "You are of your father, the devil." He went on to describe the devil in very revealing terms. He called him a liar, and even called him the father of the lie. The devil's power is in lies, and our suceptibilty to them. Our flesh is corrupted by a sinful nature, and that sin nature is willing to believe almost any lie it hears. Like, "there is no God." Or, God does not care about you, you are not worthy of His notice." Or, "Jesus did not really did for your sin and then rise from the dead." And these are just the biggies. He lies to us in so many ways that our only hope of having the truth is in the Holy Spirit, the living God coming into us and becoming our new nature, which will see his lies for what they are. and teach us the truth. The devil has some power in the physical realm, but only what we and God allows him to have. As believers filled with the Spirit, we are endowed with power from on high, and we can command the devils. But, I know from experience that it is best to follow the leading of the Spirit in this, as in all things, because we we can cause harm without meaning to.
This current world system is fraught with lies from the devil. And the purpose of these lies from him are to hide the truth from those who are part of that system. (I call it a system, but it is really a kingdom.) Almost every facet of the media is part of this system. The government, the economic system is part of it. The market system, by which we purchase our needs, and by which we work to earn wages, is a part of it. The world is under the power of the princes of the air, who are in the employ of the devil, and their tools are deception. Its power to deceive is not to be underestimated. Many have swallowed whole
"the lie."
In His peace,