Does Satan know everything?

[ellam25]

We were having this discussion today. Although Satan is anti-God, he also seems to be able to do many of the things that God does. For instance, he is pretty much everywhere (As God is) in the sense that sin is everywhere. Also, it seems that he knows exactly who we are, to the point that he can manipulate us to sin. For instance, if someone is addicted to porn, it seems he will find ways to try to get them to fall, be it media, suggestive books, etc. He also hates it when we pray or adore God, which suggests that he knows when we are doing so. So, does he know everything? Not that I am trying to compare him to God, because he is the root of all evil obviously, but I am just wondering.

 

[Joe_5859]

We were having this discussion today. Although Satan is anti-God, he also seems to be able to do many of the things that God does. For instance, he is pretty much everywhere (As God is) in the sense that sin is everywhere. Also, it seems that he knows exactly who we are, to the point that he can manipulate us to sin. For instance, if someone is addicted to porn, it seems he will find ways to try to get them to fall, be it media, suggestive books, etc. He also hates it when we pray or adore God, which suggests that he knows when we are doing so. So, does he know everything? Not that I am trying to compare him to God, because he is the root of all evil obviously, but I am just wondering.

A lot of popular fiction likes to turn God and Satan into a yin and yang sort of dynamic. As though they were opposites, yet somehow equal.

The reality is, though, that God is the uncreated Lord while Satan is merely a created being. They are not at all on equal footing.

I know that you did not assert that they are equal, but I say all this because I think it is important to call to mind in realizing that Satan is not omniscient (i.e. all-knowing). He does not know everything. Only the infinite God can know everything.

Now, he is (arguably) one of the most—if not the most—intelligent of all created beings. He can observe us and p(name removed by moderator)oint our weaknesses through those observations. But he is not God. He knows a lot. But not everything.

I sometimes wonder how much of our temptation comes through Satan directly and how much comes from underling fallen angels to whom he has delegated the task. I suppose that’s in the realm of theological speculation and I suppose we don’t necessarily need to know. But just because we are being tempted by devils doesn’t necessarily mean we are being tempted by the devil (AKA Satan).

 

[alphawoman]

No. He is only privy to what God allows him access to. By definition, a created thing is lesser than the Creator, who dwarfs the created in all respects and is infinitely more powerful and important.

To compare Satan to God is to liken a small piece of dust to existence itself. Insignificant.

 

[frangiuliano115]

A lot of popular fiction likes to turn God and Satan into a yin and yang sort of dynamic. As though they were opposites, yet somehow equal.

The reality is, though, that God is the uncreated Lord while Satan is merely a created being. They are not at all on equal footing.

I know that you did not assert that they are equal, but I say all this because I think it is important to call to mind in realizing that Satan is not omniscient (i.e. all-knowing). He does not know everything. Only the infinite God can know everything.

Now, he is (arguably) one of the most—if not the most—intelligent of all created beings. He can observe us and p(name removed by moderator)oint our weaknesses through those observations. But he is not God. He knows a lot. But not everything.

I sometimes wonder how much of our temptation comes through Satan directly and how much comes from underling fallen angels to whom he has delegated the task. I suppose that’s in the realm of theological speculation and I suppose we don’t necessarily need to know. But just because we are being tempted by devils doesn’t necessarily mean we are being tempted by the devil (AKA Satan).

Can I add that satan doesn’t know the future. I’d also say that he’s not omnipotent but can only do what God allows. God’s Providence.

Also, although ultimately all evil comes from satan, it can be understood that not all temptation comes from satan or fallen angels. Tough to know the difference, though. For instance, I might want to miss Mass because I’m being tempted, or because I might be so tired from chores the evening before. One is directly from satanic influence and the other is from a worldly influence.

This was reminding me of The Screwtape Letters. A book I think all kids should read at about the age of 15 or so. If only they’d stay in catechism!

Fran

 

[friardchips]

As far as we know…

satan is not omni-present and neither is he omni-powerful, IOW, he cannot be in more than one place at the same time and he has limited power. Remember, he is a fallen-angel. That said, he can do a lot. And he knows a lot. Compare this with those who are of Heaven - they can be omni-present. Or so I believe. For nothing is impossible for He Who Is.

That said, satan is a fallen angel and so we do not and cannot comprehend his ability to predict, or the speed at which he might be able to move from place to place, and we don’t know for sure his size and therefore how he moves from place to place, and the level of visibility to which he can manifest, and how many millions, I imagine billions, of demons there are reporting back to him, and how quickly he can digest the information communicated to him, or the degree to which and the time he takes over tormenting each soul, or who he concentrates on himself, and the degree to what he knows about us and we don’t know for certain the degree to which he can enter into our psychology although we are aware of various types of possession and other forms of demonic activity, and we cannot comprehend the utter disgust he feels for us and hatred towards our Creator, and we cannot understand the level of motivation he has to destroy us, or the meticulous detail he goes to in finding ways to trick and deceive the whole human race, and what he would do to all of us if he had unlimited power, as we just cannot understand his level of treachery, and evil.

However, I do believe that he does not manifest himself literally wherever the Blessed Virgin appears, for he is terrified of her. The sight of our Holy Mother sends satan himself reeling away in fear with the reminder that he is soon to be destroyed and that his destruction is already underway. This is why I think he sends other demons to do his dirty work a lot of the time, because he won’t risk exposing himself, just in case the Virgin Mary appears. This would be too much for him to handle. For in Our lady can be clearly seen…her Son, and in her Son is the Beatific Vision, the sight of which satan cannot face. I believe he would self-destruct.

 

[alphawoman]

Fran, great recommendation for Screwtape Letters! It’s a must-read!

 

[friardchips]

Fran, great recommendation for Screwtape Letters! It’s a must-read!

Do you have a link to this online, please, or is it only in book form - if book only, is it downloadable?

 

[mikekle]

I dont think he knows everything, but it is pretty apparent God ‘allows’ Satan to do quite a bit, some would argue more so after he fell then before…but that raises nothing but more questions.

I dont view God and Satan as being equal in anyway, but I think it does speak volumes that Satan is able to manipulate many more people into following him versus God, that is quite a feat imo, that a created being has successfully corrupted THAT MANY souls. Basically that is admitting a HUGE majority of Gods creations (us), willingly choose his enemy rather than God.

Personally I believe there is MUCH more to the story regarding Satans fall, and his place in the big picture than we are told in the bible.

 

[TK421]

We don’t know the extent of Satan (or other angel’s) knowledge. Presumably, it wouldn’t make sense to me that he knows everything, because Satan tempts both the to-be elect and the to-be damned, and he wouldn’t do this otherwise, because the assaults of hell sanctify the righteous and provide for them merit, which Satan despises.