Satan’s Power
I'm wondering about the extent of the Devil's power to tempt us. I heard once that Satan caused Judas to despair over his sins. Wouldn't Satan have to enter a person's thought process to tempt the person to despair? Could you elaborate on Satan's power/ability to manipulate our thoughts and enter our minds to tempt us in our areas of weakness. Thanks!
There is so much we don’t know about the spirit world of angels and demons and how it all works. All we can do is look at what Scripture reveals to us.
It is true that Satan does not have the ability to read our thoughts the way God does. He is not all-knowing. However, it is clear from Scripture that he is able to tempt us, which includes entering our minds and affecting our thought processes. Scripture warns us to avoid sinful thoughts, words, actions, and emotions so that we do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). 2 Corinthians 4:4 mentions that he is able to blind the minds of unbelievers.
You also refer to Judas Iscariot. Luke 22:3 states that “Satan entered Judas” and that “the devil prompted him to betray Jesus” (John 13:2). It adds, “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him” (John 13:27). With Judas it does not appear as though Satan actually possessed him but rather that the devil exerted a destructive influence on his heart and mind. This would indicate that Satan can “get into our mind” and affect us in ways that we do not understand. He is a fallen angel and as such has powers that are far superior to our own as human beings. At the same time, he is only a fallen angel and no match for God.
You also talk about the devil tempting us in our areas of weakness. The devil knows our pet sins and where we are most vulnerable. He knows this not because he is all-knowing, but because he has spent a lot of time studying us. He has observed which sins we struggle against. When he tempts us, he will try to take advantage of our weaknesses.
To help balance this discussion, it is important to remember that God also knows us. He knows everything about us. But unlike the devil, God uses this knowledge to help us not hurt us. He knows where we are weak, and he seeks to strengthen us. He knows what we need–a Savior–and has provided for that need in his Son. He reminds us that he defeated the devil through Jesus’ life and death. Because of Christ, God assures us that nothing can separate us from his love. Not even demons (Romans 8:38).