tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post6783984037126235106..comments2024-03-27T17:15:37.606-04:00Comments on Triablogue: Crouching at the doorRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809283662428917799noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-44445255779240514362015-12-07T17:39:38.325-05:002015-12-07T17:39:38.325-05:00Steve wrote: Still, there's nothing in the ima...Steve wrote: <i>Still, there's nothing in the imagery that implies that.</i><br /><br />I agree. I don't think it implies or even hints at a demon. However, I wouldn't be surprised if as a matter of fact God also knew that if Cain persisted in his current attitude and behavior a demon might take advantage of that and get a foothold. I don't think the original audience of Genesis 3 would have or should have inferred demonic activity. However, we under the New Covenant might be warranted in thinking a demon could potentially be involved (as I did in my previous statement). Music can affect attitudes and can open or protect one from demonic influence (cf. how David's music soothed Saul's mind and inhibited demonic influence).<br /><br />Like they say, bad and/or sinful attitudes are like the stench of garbage to flies. They attract demonic oppression. Since they have no sense of "fair game." They kick you while you're down. It's also been said that "Flies don't land on a hot plate." One way to help prevent demonic oppression is to get or stay on fire for God. <br /><br />Though, in God's providence sometimes God want us to experience times of discouragement/depression in order to teach us certain lessons. But that's not a license to wallow in depression since God also ordains all of our sins. God ordaining all of our sins is no excuse to keep on sinning. Similarly, God ordaining our discouragement doesn't free us from the duty to fight for joy. What God allows/permits has no direct bearing on our duty to be obedient or to have a positive/hopeful attitude. "Rejoice in the LORD/Yahweh/Jehovah" is a command, not a suggestion.<br /><br />They say you shouldn't tell a person who's depressed to just "shake it off." In one sense I agree. Most people who say that have no idea how debilitating depression can be. Just telling someone to "shake it off" can be the most insensitive thing one can do. It can make the depressed person even more depressed and even bitter. Often the statement can be interpreted as uncaring, unloving.<br /><br />Having said that, it is still the duty of a depressed Christian to fight depression and to attempt to "shake it off." That can be done in various ways. See my blogpost where I've collected some resources on dealing with depression as well as giving my own recommendations.<br /><br />My blogpost is: <a href="http://gospelmeals.blogspot.com/2014/04/spiritual-depression.html" rel="nofollow">Dealing with Spiritual Depression</a>ANNOYED PINOYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714774340084597206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-86616251808773932752015-12-07T15:27:35.023-05:002015-12-07T15:27:35.023-05:00While my vote would be for the predator option, le...While my vote would be for the predator option, let me suggest a case for the Mesopotamian option. We know from the synoptic gospels that exact quotations were not the standard of the day.<br /><br />It is conceivable that, assuming exact quotations weren't the standard of the day, that Moses through the Holy Spirit, recorded the conversation using the language of his day. Assuming a conversation in Genesis 3 during that time period wasn't in Hebrew, this would make even more sense.geoffrobinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14949411893531888555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-39315541846461792832015-12-07T14:47:19.463-05:002015-12-07T14:47:19.463-05:00Thanks, Steve. Such a good post!Thanks, Steve. Such a good post!Patrick Chanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16095377877712197984noreply@blogger.com