42 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Can satan put thoughts in your mind?

The Bible provides several situations where both believers and unbelievers appear to be enticed by satan. The first example is found in 1 Chronicles 21:1-2, King David (a believer) is said to have been incited by satan to take a census in opposition to God’s will.

satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.

David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it. (1 Chronicles 21:1-2 NIV)

satan introduced a wicked idea into David’s mind.

So [it was] during supper, satan having already put the thought of betraying Jesus in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, (John 13:2 Amplified)

With all the other disciples and Jesus Himself in the room, Judas must have gotten this prompting in his mind. Or else, satan would have had to expose himself or his plan to the others.

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. (Acts 5:1-3 NLT)

A third example is Acts 5 where Peter confronts Ananias (apparently a believer) over his inability to be truthful about his gift to the Church. satan is said to have filled his heart with selfish motives (Acts 5:3) tempting him successfully to lie.

From the above passages, it is clear that the devil and his demons can introduce thoughts into our minds. However, he cannot read our thoughts. Scripture does not present the demonic with abilities in regard to reading your thoughts. God alone is said to know the inner thoughts of man (Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 2:24-25).

As I mentioned earlier, the devil can introduce thoughts into your heart but it's up to you whether to act on those thoughts or not.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God (John 13:3)

Jesus…

knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands
that He had come from God
and was going to God,

When you have this knowing that all things are in your hand, you know where you are coming from and what is your destination, it gives you the security of serving the least without being intimidated or feeling threatened.

Why was it so important that his disciples allow Jesus to wash their feet?

If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me (John 13:8)

Can you imagine the Lord wanting to wash your feet? Peter could not. His shocked reaction—“Lord, how can you wash my feet!”—would probably be ours too.

I want you to notice what the Lord said to him: “Peter, if I don’t wash your feet, you have no part with Me.” What the Lord was actually saying to Peter was, “Peter, you cannot flow together with Me, you cannot walk together with Me in ministry, in service and in effectiveness, if you don’t let Me wash your feet.” So Peter said, “Lord, [wash] not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:9)

But Jesus answered him saying, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean…” (John 13:10)

Once we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are bathed all over, and cleansed by His blood once and for all eternity! His blood has perfected us forever (Hebrews 10:14), and we only need to wash our feet because we walk in the world and our feet pick up dust and dirt, causing us to stumble.

So how is Jesus washing our feet today? Ephesians 5:25–26 tells us that “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word”.

We, the church, are cleansed with the washing of water by the Word. The more we come under anointed teaching that unveils Christ through the Word, the more the cleansing goes on. And as our feet are washed, instead of stumbling, we will be walking and even running!

Chapter 13