Question
Dear Gramps,
My wife and I were having a discussion recently about Satan and his powers. She does not believe that Satan knows our thoughts. I always thought that he did because it was what gave him so much knowledge about our weaknesses and how to tempt us. So I guess my question is, does Satan know our thoughts?
Thanks.
Chuck
Answer
Dear Chuck,
Satan is indeed a wise old serpent. But he gets his wisdom not from our thoughts but from our actions. Even we can tell much about a person by his actions, so why not Satan? That is one of the reasons we must keep our actions above reproach. If we do something evil, it reflects an evil mind. There never was an evil action that was not preceded by an evil thought. However, the Lord has told us that only He knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts.
Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.(D&C 6:16)
Elder Francis Gibbons has wisely said,
“While Satan can convey thoughts, he does not know whether these thoughts have taken root unless they are reflected either in words or in actions.” (Elder Francis M. Gibbons, The Dual Aspects of Prayer, Ensign, Nov.1991, p.78)
Gramps
