Can Satan read minds? Is he able to know our thoughts?
Some have been concerned that Satan can read our minds and know everything we are thinking. Is this true?
The Bible says it is not. Only God knows all things, including all of our thoughts. Satan or demons might be able to know some of our thoughts, but not all of them. First Kings 8:39 says God alone knows every human heart, not Satan. Interestingly, Satan knew some of the ways to tempt even Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11), but was limited in his knowledge and unsuccessful in his attempts.
Though Satan's power is limited, he is still powerful. This is why the Bible calls us to resist the devil (James 4:7). It is a spiritual battle to defeat Satan, not an easy task. Instead of pretending temptation is not real and that Satan's tricks are of no influence, we should admit our limited power apart from the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and overcome evil.
For example, Adam and Even regularly experienced God's presence in the Garden of Eden. However, they listened to the temptation of Satan and sinned as a result. Our experience is similar. As Christians, we have God's presence in our lives, yet temptation is still very real. We must continue to live in close fellowship with the Lord and recognize when temptation seeks to turn us from God's ways.
In Ephesians 6, Paul teaches believers there is a spiritual battle that takes place in each of our lives. To resist the devil, we are commanded: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
The devil is a liar and the father of lies. Speaking of Satan, Jesus said, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). To defeat his attacks, we must be aware of Satan's power and seek to use God's power to overcome his attacks.
Ephesians 2:2 also states Satan is, "The prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience." Those who are unbelievers are under Satan's influence. The only power strong enough to overcome this influence is God's Spirit that is available through Jesus Christ. We must believe in Him by faith: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Satan is powerful, but not compared to God's power. The believer who lives by the Spirit of God can resist Satan's attacks and overcome temptation through using the "armor of God."
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