Bob ….I lived in that arena and played in that playground as a priest for almost 3 years before getting into the Word.
They can’t insert thought… they can design circumstances manipulate the environment around in effort to alter your thinking….. but unless a person is possessed where it occupies part of the brain….they cannot insert thoughts into your head…
Thank you for your input. I appreciate your providing what you have from experience.
But just as Satan could speak to Eve, and could speak to Christ -- it appears that he can also communicate at some level with each one of us (not by reading our thoughts) but by inserting suggestions as thoughts as God permits.
2 Cor 10:5 "
taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" - it is a job for us to do as Christians.
4 For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Here is what I also have from an inspired source -
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Satan stands by with his angels, active agents
to suggest thoughts to tempt and do miserable things,—things which are hateful in the sight of a holy God, but well pleasing to the Devil. RH June 28, 1887, par. 9
We should present before the people the fact that God has provided that we shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear, but that with every temptation he will make a way of escape. If we live wholly for God, we shall
not allow the mind to indulge in selfish imaginings. If there is any way by which
Satan can gain access to the mind, he will sow his tares, and cause them to grow until they will yield an abundant harvest. In
no case can Satan obtain dominion over the thoughts, words, and actions, unless we voluntarily open the door and invite him to enter.
He will then come in, and by catching away the good seed sown in the heart, make of none effect the truth. RH July 11, 1893, par. 2
Evil angels ply the soul with one set of temptations after another, to compass our ruin
. They suggest evil thoughts, excite worldly desires [and] carnal lusts, that the heart may be estranged from God and no longer respond to the influence of the Holy Spirit, that the word may be spoken in Heaven, “He is joined to his idols: let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] Your heart is becoming less and less susceptible to the influence of truth, for the truth is not brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul. 6LtMs, Lt 23, 1890, par. 40
I was shown that Satan would make his temptations strong to corrupt the ministers who are teaching the binding claims of the law of God. If he can tarnish the virtue, confuse the sense of purity and holiness
, if he can insinuate himself into their thoughts, suggest and plan for them to sin in thought and deed against God, then their defense is gone; they have separated themselves from God; they have not the power and spirit of God with them, and the sacred message of truth they bear to the people is not blessed of God; the seed is not watered and the increase is not realized. What you need, my brother, is a pure and holy heart. Cease at once from attempting to teach the truth until you know that in the strength of God you can overcome lust. 4LtMs, Lt 5, 1886, par. 5