The Devil
Alas.....a subject for the next entry.
Main Entry: 1dev·il
Pronunciation: 'de-v&l dialect 'di-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English devel, from Old English dEofol, from Late Latin diabolus, from Greek diabolos, literally, slanderer, from diaballein to throw across, slander, from dia- + ballein to throw; probably akin to Sanskrit gurate he lifts up
1 often capitalized : the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Jewish and Christian belief as the tempter of mankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell -- usually used with the; often used as an interjection, an intensive, or a generalized term of abuse
2 : an evil spirit : DEMON
3 a : an extremely wicked person : FIEND b archaic : a great evil
4 : a person of notable energy, recklessness, and dashing spirit; also : one who is mischievous (those kids are little devils today)
5 : FELLOW -- usually used in the phrases poor devil, lucky devil
6 a : something very trying or provoking having a devil of a time with this problem b : severe criticism or rebuke : HELL -- used with the (I'll probably catch the devil for this)
7 : DUST DEVIL
8 Christian Science : the opposite of Truth : a belief in sin, sickness, and death : EVIL, ERROR
- between the devil and the deep blue sea : faced with two equally objectionable alternatives
- devil to pay : severe consequences -- used with the
There is a new movie out that I have yet to see, but want to see....it is about good and evil.
Mr. Reeves asks the attractive co-star if she believes in the Devil and she says "No."
He replies: "You should, he believes in you."
That line is profound to me. The devil belives in me and when I am striving to live well and with God I suddenly show up on his radar. How interesting...
Compare and contrast....that is the advice of my favorite English teacher, Dr. Sargent. So in the prior entry I pointed out that God is never in question. Webster seems to deem Him as a given, without doubt. Now in contrast where God is defined without the use of other words the devil requires more. Other words to help conjure up his despair. His desperation for our souls.
How do you feel about this line?
the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell
People don't usually think about the fact the the devil is a leader of angels. Nor do they consider the fact that not all angels are good. How often have you thought about that? As people our understanding of angels tends to be tainted by the media and folklore as benign beings who wish only to assist us feeble humans with our lives.
And yet even angels can be deceived, so what makes us think we are better than that? What makes us believe that by our own will, we can prevail?
ckays1967 at 8:19:00 PM PST Link to this entry
This entry has 4 comments: (Add your own)
oh, I believe. :)
The was a book I read once, written by Perretti. That's all I can remember of the author, I can't even remember the title of the book, it was back in '91.
Anyway, it was sooo good. It really brought home to me, the forces that are always at battle, for me.
little 'ol me.
Comment from babyshark28 - 2/23/05 9:04 AM
Yes, there seems to be a growing trend that the devil does not exist. I try to remember that "By the grace of God go I", and "Take heed less I fall". I am grateful for my faith and need to remember where I came from and that it can be taken away. Not that I need to be trembling daily, but that it is an awesome, awesome gift not to be taken lightly. Thank you, honey! xox
Comment from valphish - 2/21/05 10:50 AM
Cynthia (http://journals.aol.com/sistercdr/Sortingthepieces) wrote this in her journal a couple of days ago: "As aChristian, I don't believe that there are two equal opposing forces of good and evil. In my beliefs, Good possesses the far superior strength and has already won the battle between the two."
I would tend to lean the same way, if I had the faith I used to have. Lisa :-]
Comment from mlraminiak - 2/20/05 9:49 PM
I can't survive without guidance from the Father, Son and The Holy Spirit.
Yes, the fallen angels are powerful too and one must be aware of them. But, I surround myself and my family with the good ones in prayers every day.
Comment from readmereadyou - 2/20/05 8:24 PM
No comments:
Post a Comment