Satan represents the poor!

[sky]

Originally Posted by Native spirit

I know people who could be called Downtrodden but they are some of the nicest people around.
Not everyone is downtrodden through what they have done,
it is a situation in which they find themselves in
They may have very little but they are Happy and Content with their lot

Totally agree with you NS...

[sky]

Originally Posted by Honza

What does the term 'poor in spirit' mean?

Obviously not all downtrodden people are lacking Godliness. But a lot do. I meet them every day. They seem cut off from hope.....

Jesus said 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'
1st Beatitude......

[sky]

Originally Posted by Honza

Satan represents the poor in the same way as their own 'I' or ego represents them. It depends what they do with it. They could empower themselves and be their own boss. It is that old argument of why should I work for others or God? Why can't I work for myself? That is one of the reasons why far right politics is so popular. Particularly when God does not seem to care.

The ego is not the problem it's the illusion of self that is. Imo.....

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by Honza

What does the term 'poor in spirit' mean? ..

Honza,

The poor in spirit are those constantly seeking the spirit. They constantly make room for it to allow it to flow through them. The Spirit is dynamic….it cannot be stored up or dammed up. The ‘making room’ is the critical element. As much as anything it can mean being open-minded….not being a slave to some literal understanding of religion or scripture…..

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Molearner

.... the Gospel-Jesus-God. It are these that seek the poor…not Satan. For those that accept that the love of money is the root of all evil it can be interpolated that the wealthy are the logical target of Satan.

I did not understand - "It are these"....but regardless, the bolded is more like it, yes. :)
Jesus came for the poor, especially - not satan...which, like many Christian authors, I will never capitalize.
Target I relate to more than represent.

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Honza

Satan,..... now represents the poor of creation. The ones who are downtrodden and lack the grace of 'Godliness'.
You could call him the average working man. The lower class or caste who seem to have no hope
and who are firmly embedded in ego or 'I'.....

I would officially like to counter these words above:

If you are poor, downtrodden, an average worker, maybe a lower class, are hopeless -
God loves you and is right there for you.
(Of course, this is not a discussion on whether there is a God, it's a given in the Christian section.)

[Molearner]

Isaiah 1:18……”Come now, let us reason together…”. The first line of a defense or the promotion of a position is reason, logic and rationale. This is available to all of us. This naturally will come before any spiritual insight or revelation. It is the most basic and minimum thing in presenting or advocating a position or idea. The available evidence clearly points to the focus that Jesus had for the unfortunate and needy. In this respect the supporting spiritual insight is almost superfluous. A higher truth underlies all of this but, in this case, is unnecessary for the uninitiated.

[lostsoul13]

I think poor or rich the lessons are there - with the flower of life and no reason of doubt it’s meant to be: we have to build upon the grace of life …

[Honza]

Originally Posted by Molearner

The available evidence clearly points to the focus that Jesus had for the unfortunate and needy. In this respect the supporting spiritual insight is almost superfluous. A higher truth underlies all of this but, in this case, is unnecessary for the uninitiated.

My insight was into how Satan perceives himself and how some elements of the human race identify with him. I do not believe that Satan represents the poor, but rather that is how he identifies with himself instead.

[Joe Mc]

Originally Posted by Honza

The ones who are downtrodden and lack the grace of 'Godliness'. You could call him the average working man. The lower class or caste who seem to have no hope and who are firmly embedded in ego or 'I'.....

So would you say Jesus was a bit more egotistical than the Fishermen because he was a Carpenter ? Maybe a fisherman was a better job in those days but if it wasn't then
Jesus would of been more egotistical than the fishermen. How would you say they expressed their egotistical natures back then ? Fighting with Romans and tax collectors ? Maybe Jesus
was stealing nails and stuff perhaps lumber, always a sign of egotism, stealing ?

Do you think the fishermen were sticking to their quotas ? Were there any fish quotas back then ? I know the pharisees seem very egotistical sometimes
according to what the apostles said. Was being an Apostle a good job ...pay rise ? less ego and stuff ?

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