Have you ever prayed to God in your mind before? Like if you're in a public place and don't want to disturb anyone? You know for sure that God is listening because God is omnipresent and God can read our minds and thoughts. But what about Satan? Can Satan read our minds and thoughts too and tempt us accordingly? I watched a sermon on YouTube recently that said that Satan cannot. But he never gave any verses to back up his claim. Are there verses in the bible that prove whether or not Satan can read our minds and thoughts? Or is it all just conjecture?
Because sometimes it seems like Satan can read our thoughts.
The scriptures say that God knows our thoughts.
Scripture does not say that anyone else does (including Satan).
You know ... this has gotten me to thinking. There are times in scripture study where I wonder why God is not more forthcoming about His detailed plans.
For instance, God's plan to foil Satan (via the crucifixion) is kind of shrouded in
mystery ... until it comes to pass. Jesus speaks to certain elements of it, ... but some things aren't explicitly
spoken.
For instance, His own divinity is something which Jesus seems to tend to downplay ... to the extent that He only gives hints here and there. He seems to almost exclusively refer to Himself as the Son of Man. And certainly Satan never seems to respect Him as God. Except, perhaps, in the instance of Jesus' casting out demons, but Jesus' disciples did so as well, so maybe this wasn't a significant indicator. Perhaps part of the plan was to keep Satan guessing as to what God was going to do ... which indicates that Satan cannot read thoughts.
I, also, consider that Satan, in his role as the great accuser, ... would have a field day with our thoughts. Even as God and Satan discussed Job, they spoke of his external behaviors, (i.e. piety, prayer, obedience, etc.) ... rather than his thoughts. And the story of Job concludes with the observation that Job, while under his test, did not sin
with his mouth.
So, I stick with my conclusion that Satan cannot, actually, read our thoughts. Though, as has been stated, He probably has an amazing comprehension of our postures, facial expressions, and the like. This all fits with the scriptures admonitions for us to be careful what we say ... for in speaking unwisely or without faith, we may be abetting and giving aid to the enemy.