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Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/8/2008 10:03:43 PM
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4IMPersuaded
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From: Florence, KY
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I have what I beleive to be a sound position on this, but I can't find anything in the Word to back it up. Perhaps you can help-- perhaps even straighten me out if needed.
In a small group discussion I once made the statement that satan cannot read our minds. He can, in effect, decipher our weaknesses and exploit them based upon our behavior, but unlike our omnicient Creator, he can't get into our heads and manipulate our thoughts. (I am not talking about posession, here, I am talking about the beleiver.) Happily, I was challenged on this-- I hate it when beleivers take other people's word for truth. I promised to research it and come back with something biblical to back up my position, but I have not found anything. I went to a pastor on staff at my church and she agreed with me, but had nothing to back me up, either.
To quote one of my favorite biblical teachers, we can be oppressed by the enemy, but not posessed as beleivers because the Holy Spirit seals us. Satan can, in effect, "whisper" in our ear to cloud our focus on Jesus, but he can't hear our thoughts. Because I beleive that, when I need to rebuke him in Jesus' name, I do so audibly so that he is not confused about Whose authority I find power.
Can you help a sister out?
Thanks!
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/8/2008 11:35:32 PM
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Miril
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quote:
we can be oppressed by the enemy, but not posessed as beleivers because the Holy Spirit seals us. Satan can, in effect, "whisper" in our ear to cloud our focus on Jesus, but he can't hear our thoughts.
As in the enemy can make Suggestions, Temptations, Manipulations, etc.
This is why to me it is so important to listen to my heart and gut, there is ALWAYS peace attached to those decisions. But if we are not paying attention we can follow "a suggestion" in our head from the enemy without even realizing it.
An ugly suggestion made beautiful is manipulation. Like the snake in the garden of Eden merely suggested and went on to convince Eve to bite the apple. The snake simply manipulated Eve into doing evil by making it look like a beautiful thing.
Genesis 3:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” "
--This is why I avoid people who are master manipulators, sweet-talkers, charmers, etc. they always put me off with a sense of *there is a whole lot of fluff going on here but no good actions behind it*. After being saved I got my confirmation that it was evil.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity[a] that is in Christ.
--I used to get angry at myself when someone manipulated me, or lied. Then I realized why am I getting angry at myself? I am not the evil one. So now when I am confronted with someone like this who is not walking in faith, after the first incident I am out of there. Job, friend, family member - whatever.
One of my favorite teachers touched on this (in reference to debt and racking up credit cards) on TBN today too, Doctor Creflo. 
< Message edited by Miril -- 6/9/2008 12:19:08 AM >
_____________________________
Proverbs 15
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God Bless.
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/8/2008 11:59:45 PM
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makarizo
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I believe that the book of Job teaches us that satan cannont read minds.
God knew that Job would not curse Him, and satan only gambled on the assumption that if enough pain was inflicted that certainly he would curse God.
it was satan's gamble, assumption, speculation, but it was clear that satan could NOT read Job's mind.
I know from what you posted what you are thinking.... but that doesn't mean I can read your mind.
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/9/2008 12:19:22 AM
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AboundinginHisGrace
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Yeah, I don't think Satan can read your mind, but let me assure you he knows your weakness. He sees the man who turns his head at a scantily clad women, he sees the depressed person crying in secret, he sees the person who works 18 hours a day, etc. He can attack your mind, place thoughts, doubts etc. But he can't read your mind. Spurgeon once said we might not serve God whole heartily but satan tries to destroy you whole heartily.
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"What a mercy it is that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you, but his hold of you." - Spurgeon
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/9/2008 12:51:28 AM
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pimorton
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I'm not aware of any scripture that says "Satan can not read our minds." The best I can offer is 1 Cor. 2:11 "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." That might satisfy your questioner, but it also bring up the question "But it says 'who among men...' Satan isn't a man, so maybe he can."
I think the absence of its mention in the Bible can speak volumes, since Paul declared to the same Corinthian church (in 2 Cor. 2:11) "we are not ignorant of (Satan's) schemes."
A review of Satan's tactics in the Bible gives insight. In the Garden of Eden and in God's throne room (in Job) Satan dealt in doubt. "Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the Garden?" "Does Job fear God for nothing?" It worked on Eve (and Adam who was with her, but that's another post), but not so much with God.
He also dealt in deceit in the Garden, not surprising since Jesus said lies are his native language. Paul told the Thessalonians deception seemed to be Satan's primary modus operandi. "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan, displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing." (2 Thess. 2:9,10)
Satan is described as disguising as angel of light, but not a mind reader.
Hope these observations help.
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/9/2008 4:45:39 PM
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4IMPersuaded
Posts: 408
Joined: 11/17/2007
From: Florence, KY
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They do, thank you. Part of the equation in this conversation is that the one challenging me challenges everyone on everything. I think you are right, though-- the absence of information in the Bible regarding satan is pretty significant. Really, for all the attention we give him as beleivers, it is not representative of what is found in the word. There is much more attention given to lust, impurity, lying & deceit and the actual nature of God than what is given about the enemy. It doesn't keep me up at night, I was just hoping others had come across something I hadn't.
God bless-- thank you all for your posts.
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/9/2008 4:48:58 PM
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earthless
Posts: 5231
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From: where bbq pigeons roast....
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Great question - first, it is important for us to remember that Satan is not omnipresent – he cannot be in more than one place at a time.
Only God is everywhere, only God knows everything, while Satan must rely on his army of demons to do his bidding.
Can Satan and/or his demons read our minds? Scripture does not say specifically whether or not Satan can read our minds. The Bible does teach us that Satan indeed is very powerful. Likely he was the highest of all the fallen angels, as he was persuasive enough to convince one third of the angels to join him in his rebellion (Revelation 12:4).
Even after his fall from heaven, not even Michael the archangel dared to confront him without the Lord’s help (Jude 9). Satan is the “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2b). Believers are exhorted “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7b).
The Bible gives us no reason to believe Satan and his demons can read our minds. Clearly that would take a measure of omnipresence and omniscience, which they do not have. However, Satan and his demons have been observing and tempting human beings for thousands of years.
In addition, they can overhear our speech when we talk to others (and to ourselves!). Surely they have learned a few things about us over the years. Even without the ability to know our thoughts, they can probably make a well-educated guess as to what we are thinking, and then attempt to use it to their advantage. That is why we are commanded to “Submit yourselves, then, to God” (James 4:7a), before we are told to “Resist the devil” (James 4:7b).
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Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/9/2008 6:34:32 PM
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Cloak
Posts: 3892
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From: Canada
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First of, Let's remember something very vital about Satan's nature that he is a Fallen Angel; hence God is the Most Superior and Almighty One and Satan cannot touch or do anything to harm anyone WITHOUT God's approval.
Yes Satan may seduce you, lure you in or ensnare you as is the case when people sin or are tempted, but we have a choice and God gave us free will to do whatever we want to do.
Yes EVERY believer has AUTHORITY and POWER OVER the devil and that is manifested through the usage of the WORD OF GOD which is very Powerful Tool that can help you overcome whatever sin or temptation you're facing. In addition, PRAYER, WORSHIP AND PRAISE will make the devil confused, bewildered and confounded which eventually will make him flee not knowing what to do with you.
Our struggle with the devil is a daily challenge and reality we have to face by using these tools I mentioned above in Upper cases.
Here are some biblical verses that support what I've said above:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all mind, and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30).
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19 NIV)
The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. (Romans 16:20).
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7 NIV).
Blessings!
_____________________________
And My God shall meet ALL Your Needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 19)
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/10/2008 10:58:37 PM
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4IMPersuaded
Posts: 408
Joined: 11/17/2007
From: Florence, KY
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Shoot, I tried to post, but it didn't take... Here's version #2:
earthless said:
In addition, they can overhear our speech when we talk to others (and to ourselves!). Surely they have learned a few things about us over the years. Even without the ability to know our thoughts, they can probably make a well-educated guess as to what we are thinking, and then attempt to use it to their advantage. That is why we are commanded to “Submit yourselves, then, to God” (James 4:7a), before we are told to “Resist the devil” (James 4:7b).
Great quote. I like to look at the contexts of verses. The order in which something is written tells us so much, but sometimes we miss it in the reading of it.
cloak, I appreciate your advice and I think you are right on, but in this instance, I am not afraid of satan or wondering about battling him. Incidentally, it is awesome that we are given such explicit information about how he is to be approached-- with caution and confidence in our Lord God! I am, however, interested in where he is limited in terms of our thought life. I think the absence of information speaks volumes. There seems to be no caution that we should guard our thoughts lest they be overheard-- I would think that would be important news if it were true, right? In its absence I have to believe that it is just me, sealed by the Holy Spirit, communing with my God in here! PTL!
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RE: Got a question about satan's nature. - 6/11/2008 8:52:22 AM
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Cloak
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41PM~ Please Re-Read my post Carefully, esp the words in upper cases, they are the answer to your Qs!
Blessings!
_____________________________
And My God shall meet ALL Your Needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 19)
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