Spiritual Warfare
- Can Satan possess a believer?
- Does Satan know everything that I'm thinking?
- Can Satan control my actions?
- What is the best defense against satanic attack?
It should be noted that possession includes both control and ownership. Believers are bought and paid for by the blood of Christ and therefore cannot be demon possessed. I like the statement of Charles Ryrie, "Demon possession means a demon residing in a person, exerting direct control over that person, with certain derangement of mind and/or body. Demon possession is to be distinguished from demon influence or demon activity in relation to a person. The work of the demon in the latter is from the outside; in demon possession it is from within. By this definition a Christian cannot be possessed by a demon since he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. However, a believer can be the target of demonic activity to such an extent that he may give the appearance of demon possession." We are indwelt by God, a place demons would not want to be. 1 John 4:4 "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."
Does Satan know everything that I'm thinking?
No, where does Scripture teach that Satan is omnipresent or omniscient? To be sure, Satan is powerful, but he does not have the characteristics of deity. He would be God if he were everywhere, present at all times. The false notion that he is omnipresent comes from a misunderstanding of the action of demons attributed to Satan in Scripture. Sometimes scripture tells us that we contend with Satan, meaning that we are dealing with the demons under his authority.
Satan has not been given the authority to control our thoughts or our
actions. Our thoughts control our actions, so if Satan could control
out thoughts we would be destined to actions away from God. It should
also be understood that Satan does have the ability to "influence"
out thoughts. He uses deception to thwart God’s plan in the hearts of man. He does
this both with the nations, Revelation 20:3, and with non-believers, 2
Corinthians 4:4. This is why we must have truth resident in our minds to
be able to combat his influence.
What is the best defense against satanic attack?
Satan is defeated by truth. The one thing Satan can't defeat is a heart of faith derived from the Word of God. Truth, resident in the heart of a believer, will always defeat satanic attack. Note how Jesus defeated Satan in Matthew 4:3 and the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning You'; and 'On [their] hands they will bear You up, Lest You strike Your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and [began] to minister to Him.