How does Satan tempt us?

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How is it possible for Satan to tempt us? Can he manipulate events to put tempting things before us? Can he somehow get inside our heads? (Aside from actual possession.)
 
I think he can get inside our heads. We hear him saying ‘Go on, do it!’. I’m not sure if I believe in supernatural manipulation of physical things (so that no, he didn’t really ‘put’ something in our path), but I think we would find evil things less attractive if it wasn’t for his suggestions.

From the Catechism:

1795 “Conscience is man’s most secret core, and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (GS 16).

So God’s voice is in us, but, because of our fallen nature, Satan has power over our world, so I think it makes sense that his voice can be in us too, which we will not be free from until we are united with God in heaven.
 
I think he can dredge up memories, inspire thoughts, and trigger emotions. I picked these up from some reliable sources, but don’t remember where.
 
Catechism 395: The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God’s reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus,** and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature- to each man and to society**, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but “we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.”

Emphasis mine.
 
Well I struggle terribly with the sin of lust and porn addiction and I know for a fact that a couple of times when I have successfully moved away from it and closer to God I have had some very erotic dreams which I KNOW come straight from him. Does this happen to anyone else?
 
lucymeadhbh said:
Well I struggle terribly with the sin of lust and porn addiction and I know for a fact that a couple of times when I have successfully moved away from it and closer to God I have had some very erotic dreams which I KNOW come straight from him. Does this happen to anyone else?
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Evagrios the Solitary explained how the satan tempts us and how demons attack us in “Texts on Discrimination in respect of Passions and Thoughts” which can be read online at desertfathers.blogspot.com/2011/06/evagrios-solitarytexts-on.html.

Another good text which has helped many is “On Watchfulness and Holiness” written by St Hesychios the Priest which can be read at hesychia.in.ua/hes_en.htm

Both speak directly to the issue you mention.

-Tim-
 
Cone said:
How is it possible for Satan to tempt us? Can he manipulate events to put tempting things before us? Can he somehow get inside our heads? (Aside from actual possession.)
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St. Pope John Paul II explained, “the evil spirit tries to transplant into man the attitude of rivalry, insubordination and opposition to God, which has, as it were, become the motivation of all his existence. . .”

Many Saints have warned the devil is cunning, observant and immensely patient. He will try and exploit one’s weakness (whatever it may be) to build a wedge between God and us.

History proves this can be accomplished with simple suggestions. (Grace is the defense)
 
In everyday life, that’s how.
Read “The Screwtape Letters”, here is a snippet.
“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.”
― C.S. Lewis
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Oneofthewomen said:
In everyday life, that’s how.
Read “The Screwtape Letters”, here is a snippet.
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One of my favorite C.S. Lewis books. Although I know it is a work of fiction, I believe it comes extremely close to how the demons in this world go about their work.
 
Cone said:
How is it possible for Satan to tempt us? Can he manipulate events to put tempting things before us? Can he somehow get inside our heads? (Aside from actual possession.)
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From the book of Job, we see that Satan petitions to God for our destruction in the same manner in which the saints petition to us for our salvation. God permits this to happen, St Alphonsus Liguori (& others), explain, because by not preventing mankind from being tempted, we may incur rapid spiritual growth in our lives, and be honed into increasingly holier men and women. “Growing in holiness” means “becoming the best version of yourself”.

In broadest terms, all temptations, whether from our own wounded condition or from malevolent spiritual powers, lead to two outcomes from the person:
  1. The person prays
  2. The person sins
God allows us to be tempted by forces greater than our power to resist, because the God that permits this is the same God that readily delivers limitless graces that will make up for (and then some) our own deficit of abilities to defeat the wicked angels, and so, in the end, we can indeed conquer sin. It is very wise to command a crippled person to walk, because the crippled person, upon attempting to obey the command and seeing their inability to fulfill it, will seek the help of a doctor to remedy his condition. After he has sought this remedy, he will then be fully capable of obeying. When St Anthony of Egypt was in the desert being tormented by temptations by an entire host of demons, they were all defeated through prayer. There was nothing else that would have succeeded.
 
lucymeadhbh said:
Well I struggle terribly with the sin of lust and porn addiction and I know for a fact that a couple of times when I have successfully moved away from it and closer to God I have had some very erotic dreams which I KNOW come straight from him. Does this happen to anyone else?
Click to expand...
You believe Satan controls your dreams while you’re asleep?

That must be terrifying.
 
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