Can Satan manipulate our thoughts?

==I agree with MacArthur on this. I know of no Scripture that teaches or demonstrates that Satan, or his demons, can create thoughts in our brains. They can certainly manipulate us through lies and deceptions (directly or through others). However I don't believe they have the power to put thoughts in our brains.

Some Christians give Satan too much credit, while others don't give him enough.

 

I remember studying this a long time ago, and I don't think Satan places thought in our minds. I think I remember rather he tempts us in a way that is akin to bait in a snare when attempting to catch an animal. He lures us.

 

The world is your enemy; the flesh is your enemy; non-believers are your enemy. Satan can only affect you through your mind as he can't grab you physically but he will invade your thoughts.

1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (Satan)

 

I think there is an interplay between our nature and Satan's stratagy to make us fall. Remember we are all lead astray by our own desires. Given the opportunity our natures will interpret our situations in a manner not unlike satan telling it himself directly into our minds. Thats not saying Satan puts it there but opperates environments internaly and externally where by he lets our natures do the talking.

 

When I saw the thread title I started thinking while the page was loading, what I was thinking what you said MacArthur said.

interesting, I think your right.

 

There is nothing in Scripture to indicate that Satan can manipulate our thoughts. Our sinful thoughts come from our sinful nature. They are not placed there by Satan. If our sinful thoughts were placed there by Satan, then we wouldn't be responsible for those thoughts!

 

Question: "Ok, how can he manipulate us with lies and deception or through others if he can't get into "their" thoughts?"


Answer: The same way the Lord can "motivate" us with truth.

 

This is a very interesting discussion. Honestly, I've never really thought about it so I don't know which side I would be on. I do know that our natural, human state is such that it really doesn't need an outside force to lead it astray.

How do you think it fits with the explanation that Jesus gives of the parable in Luke 8? Specifically verse 12 which states: Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.


Of course this verse is speaking about the unsaved.

 

Unbelievers are not our enemies. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood." As I heard an evangelist say once, "Unbelievers are not the enemy. They are the prize for which we contend with the enemy."

No reason to believe Satan can put thoughts in our minds. Truth is, Satan has probably never been personally concerned with any of us. We're probably not that big a threat to his kingdom (unless we see ourselves on a par with Job and think God might point us out to Satan as someone especially righteous). Yikes! Hope none of us would go there.

 

Pastor Greg. No, unbelievers are not our enemy however, by not being in the family of God they reject believers as their father is the devil. The devil is our enemy.

Now let me ask you this. Is Satan alive and well in Gospel Preaching Churches causing striff? Of course he is!

Satan is quiet in dead churches as they are already dead.

 

Just thinking out loud here...Since the devil or his demons can possess someone - isn't that the extreme form of mind manipulation? If someone is demon-possessed, then their mind has been taken over by the demon(s). Understanding that a Christian cannot be demon-possessed, couldn't a demon or the devil still tempt our thoughts, even to the point of placing thoughts in our mind?

Like I said, just thinking out loud - I don't have a conclusion one way or another.

 

Satan and his fellow fallen angels are manipulating millions of people right now. Millions of people right now are following the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air. The god of this world hath blinded their minds lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them. Oh yes, Satan is manipulating people's thoughts.

 

Pertinent verses to the discussion from II Timothy 2:

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.