Is the devil omnipresent?

[ConfirmedAgnes]

Perhaps an odd question, but I started wondering about it the other day. Is the devil omnipresent, or is it just that there are countless demons around that tempt us to do wrong? Can they see our thoughts like God does?

Also, how can there be temptation present at Mass if it contains the real presence of our Lord and God Jesus Christ? It seems like the devil/demons would want to be as far away as possible from that, yet distractions and temptations are still present.

I was just curious about this, because I had never really thought about it before.

Thanks for your answers!!

 

[ialsop]

Perhaps an odd question, but I started wondering about it the other day. Is the devil omnipresent, or is it just that there are countless demons around that tempt us to do wrong? Can they see our thoughts like God does?

Also, how can there be temptation present at Mass if it contains the real presence of our Lord and God Jesus Christ? It seems like the devil/demons would want to be as far away as possible from that, yet distractions and temptations are still present.

I was just curious about this, because I had never really thought about it before.

Thanks for your answers!!

Not sure about the first two, but I can tell you that at Mas, we are also tempted by our flesh(our own thoughts) and the world(people around us). And say, if your not paying attention or taking mass seriously, then its easier for demons to attack.

 

[christus_vincit]

Omnipresence is a trait applicable to God alone. Satan is and will always be a creature (he was not created evil - he freely made that choice).

As the other poster pointed out, not all temptation comes directly from demonic influence. Many are the result of concupiscence and an unguarded conscience. Temptation itself is not sin.

 

[Beryllos]

I think we can attribute most of our faults and failings to human nature. We are imperfect. We have moments of weakness, even at Mass or in prayer. There is no need to blame it on demons or the devil.

 

[Nigel7]

Perhaps an odd question, but I started wondering about it the other day. Is the devil omnipresent, or is it just that there are countless demons around that tempt us to do wrong? Can they see our thoughts like God does?

No. The devil is not omnipresent. Satan and demons cannot see/read our thoughts. I’ve heard it taught like this; They are super-perceptive beings (remember that they are spiritual and not physical beings), and so are able to pick up on even the slightest change in a persons heart-rate, skin temp, pupil dilation, body language, etc… which gives away our fears and doubts and anxieties to them. So they know what we fear and what our weaknesses are, and attempt to exploit that.

Also, when we have impure thoughts it’s not always the devil or demons causing it, tempting us. Most often it’s just our fallen nature, our carnal nature, and habit. The devil and demons though attempt to exploit that.

Someone will probably come along now here and refute that, but that’s how I’ve heard more than one priest explain it.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Regarding angelic presence, St. Thomas writes (S.T. I, Q52, a2):

…] since the angel’s power is finite, it does not extend to all things, but to one determined thing. …] since all being is compared as one thing to God’s universal power, so is one particular being compared as one with the angelic power. Hence, since the angel is in a place by the application of his power to the place, it follows that he is not everywhere, nor in several places, but in only one place.

Regarding the presence of demons in a church or chapel, it is true they hate our Lord’s holy presence. In the New Testament, demoniacs cowered at Jesus’ feet, but the demons remained there until he cast them out. The devil also knows that great graces flow from the Mass and the Eucharist, and he wishes to hinder that as much as possible. God, who permits evil for a greater good, allows him to operate to that end, within limits known to himself.

If we were never tempted, our growth in virtue would be stunted.

 

[ConfirmedAgnes]

Thanks guys, much of what you have said were things I had thought of in the past, but I never knew the Church’s teachings on it.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I’ve found “Interview with an Exorcist” by Fr. Jose Fortea a handy resource on this issue.

He doesn’t address the issue of omnipotence as a sub-heading, although he might comment somewhere the devil is not omnipotent, omnipresent or any other Omni. God is the creator, and the devil is a created being, hence he cannot be omnipotent by simple virtue of that fact. Nor can he see the future, or read our thoughts.

However he and his demonic cohorts are highly intelligent, and can often work out things by observation and deduction, where we would perceive nothing at all.

28. Can demons read our thoughts?

No. Though demons can tempt us, they cannot read our thoughts. With their great intelligence, they can guess what we are thinking - but they cannot be absolutely certain etc.

 

[MtnDwellar]

Satan is not omnipresent, all knowing, or omnipotent.

We can learn from reading Daniel that the Angel Gabriel was detained for time in a location, thereby showing that angels are not omnipresent.

Regarding the other question: Satan can definitely be inside a church despite the real presence of our Lord. Satan approached Jesus directly in the desert. He also approached
God the Father directly in the book of Job.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Regarding:

1. Can demons read our thoughts?

No. Though demons can tempt us, they cannot read our thoughts. With their great intelligence, they can guess what we are thinking - but they cannot be absolutely certain etc.

That makes sense to me. Like very knowledgeable manipulators? :hey_bud:

Sometimes it seems like there are demons inside my thoughts. :bigyikes:

MS

 

[ready]

Perhaps an odd question, but I started wondering about it the other day. Is the devil omnipresent, or is it just that there are countless demons around that tempt us to do wrong? Can they see our thoughts like God does?

Also, how can there be temptation present at Mass if it contains the real presence of our Lord and God Jesus Christ? It seems like the devil/demons would want to be as far away as possible from that, yet distractions and temptations are still present.

I was just curious about this, because I had never really thought about it before.

Thanks for your answers!!

The devil hates God and us so much that he will endure the worst sufferings (like being in a church) in order to tempt us. I believe I have read that the devil is everywhere except for in heaven and wherever else our Lord and our Lady does not permit him to be. I have been told that he can not read our thoughts, but tries to surmise them based on the things he knows about us, our histories and human nature, etc… I think I may have heard that when a person is in mortal sin the devil can read his thoughts, but I am not sure if this is true. But I do know that when a person is in mortal sin he can become the devil’s instrument. If we keep in a state of grace and very close to Mary, the devil loses power over us … Mary gives her special protection to those who honor and serve her. God bless you.

 

[TrueChurch]

No, Satan is not omnipresent. It is possible for him to be in many places at once but he is not everywhere like God is. And yes, other Demons can tempt us not just Satan. Also, when we are tempted it’s not always Satan or the Demons, it can come from ourselves.
.