Satan's influence

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normdplume

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I have a few questions about Satan and sin that I hope someone can help me with. First, is Satan behind all sin that we see around us in the world today, or can humans sin of their own free will? Also, is Satan’s negative influence on the mind, the soul, or both? Based on Genesis, it seems he influenced the minds of Adam and Eve. If he influences only a person’s soul, does that naturally translate into an influence on the mind as well? Finally, if he does influence the soul, what about someone who is mentally ill and follows through on Satan’s negative influence? Are they responsible for their actions?

Thanks.
Norm
 
You might begin in the Catechism: Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 3 SECTION 1 CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE 1

1704 The human person participates in the light and power of the divine Spirit. By his reason, he is capable of understanding the order of things established by the Creator. By free will, he is capable of directing himself toward his true good. He finds his perfection "in seeking and loving what is true and good."7

1705 By virtue of his soul and his spiritual powers of intellect and will, man is endowed with freedom, an "outstanding manifestation of the divine image."8

1706 By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him "to do what is good and avoid what is evil."9 Everyone is obliged to follow this law, which makes itself heard in conscience and is fulfilled in the love of God and of neighbor. Living a moral life bears witness to the dignity of the person.

1707 "Man, enticed by the Evil One, abused his freedom at the very beginning of history."10 He succumbed to temptation and did what was evil. He still desires the good, but his nature bears the wound of original sin. He is now inclined to evil and subject to error:

Man is divided in himself. As a result, the whole life of men, both individual and social, shows itself to be a struggle, and a dramatic one, between good and evil, between light and darkness.11
1708 By his Passion, Christ delivered us from Satan and from sin. He merited for us the new life in the Holy Spirit. His grace restores what sin had damaged in us.

1709 He who believes in Christ becomes a son of God. This filial adoption transforms him by giving him the ability to follow the example of Christ. It makes him capable of acting rightly and doing good. In union with his Savior, the disciple attains the perfection of charity which is holiness. Having matured in grace, the moral life blossoms into eternal life in the glory of heaven.
 
Mental illness, or psychiatric disorders as I prefer to call them, are biochemically caused, and not by the influence of a supernatural being.
 
Satan can work through disease just as God can work through healing
 
I have a psychiatric disorder, and I’ve never felt like I was possessed by Satan. Do some research on the subject before making your assumptions.
 
Thank you, everyone for the above. The CCC quotes are right on point.

Further to my first post, does Satan act on a person’s mind to influence them, or on their soul (which in turn influences the mind)? Or does he influence the mind, which in turn taints the soul?

Thanks
Norm
 
stuartbrianhenlis said:
I have a psychiatric disorder, and I’ve never felt like I was possessed by Satan. Do some research on the subject before making your assumptions.
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I don’t know about assumptions, but I do know that people who commit crimes have a much higher percentage of psychiatric disorders. They also suffer from a number of other disparities such as higher rates of early childhood trauma, addiction, poverty, poor education, etc. these factor make them less culpable for their wrongdoings.

Satan attacks us in our weakest spots, where we are wounded physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He takes advantage of our vulnerabilities to tempt us into sin.
 
normdplume said:
Further to my first post, does Satan act on a person’s mind to influence them, or on their soul (which in turn influences the mind)? Or does he influence the mind, which in turn taints the soul?

Thanks
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“For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world.” I Jn. 2:16

Our tendency to sin, part of the carnal man or “fleshly” man is the favorite attacking point for evil.

Read Romans Chapter seven about how the sanctified person struggles with the sinful nature.

13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1

We are “dragged away” from God by our own evil desires. When we place ourselves in a near occasion of sin, we precipitate desire that goes against God’s plan being conceived in our hearts, which gives birth to sin.
 
Some open doors to the demonic are sinful, whereas
some are not, as to mental disorders, they are like
Jesus said, some are “to the glory of God” Jn. 9:3
Others are inherited sins v.2 or his own(by taking
illegal drugs). Others have had head injuries or
PTSD as in a war or physical or mental abusiveness
You cannot judge others w/o considering the factors
which contributed to the mental illness,
 
Thanks, but I’m really trying to understand the distinction of whether Satan tempts the mind, thereby tainting the soul, or if he tempts the soul, thereby influencing the mind.
 
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normdplume said:
Thanks, but I’m really trying to understand the distinction of whether Satan tempts the mind, thereby tainting the soul, or if he tempts the soul, thereby influencing the mind.
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I think you would have to have a better definition of “mind” and “soul”. some define the human soul as containing the will, the thoughts, instincts, and affections(feelings).

Satan can use our thoughts, bodily instincts and our emotions as occasions of temptation. Influence is not the same as committing anything.

Temptation does not ‘taint’ anything. Jesus was tempted, but He was not in any way “tainted” by this. We are not tainted until desire conceives and gives birth to sin.
 
If the soul contains our will, thoughts, instincts, and feelings, then he must be tempting the soul. The mind/body are primarily a vessel?
 
Satan CANNOT read our minds, so meditating on
scripture and resisting his fiery darts in faith in the
God Almighty will deflect sinful thots. Also, the key
to resisting temptation is the same as resisting an
addiction - to sin - take good care of yourself(sleep
well, well-groomed, proper foods), keep your mind
READY(1 Pet. 1:13) and be sober spirited, like one
on the Battlefield.
 
I’d suggest you read Peter Kreeft’s work on Angels & Demons.
 
I don’t know if I agree with the statement that Satan cannot read our minds. From what I’ve read about demon possession, if you’re possessed, they are fighting for control of your mind as well as your body. If a demon can do it, surely Satan, their master, can as well.
 
Possession is rare, it does not happen to those who are practicing the Faith. Stay close to Jesus in the Sacraments and you do not need to fear possession.
 
I don’t fear it. I’m trying to understand the nuances of how Satan works his evil. It’s research for a book.
 
Jesus himself SPOKE the commands to exorcise
demons, He never thought them out, and He was
every bit human! I agree that if a person is NOT
in a state of Grace, not “in Christ” there is the poss-
ibility of mind or will control. See 2 Tim. 2:26; Eph. 2:2
 
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