I mean : if Satan works for our loss, the fact that we fight against PMO will make him redouble his efforts. That mean more temptations etc ... which is basic devil's tactics. But my question is : does he use external vectors to make us return in this sin ? Like tempting other people to interfer with us in order to make nofap less easy ? Can Satan 'use' someone in the sense that he is able to directly manipulate them to make you fall to temptation ? I was thinking for example of push our friends to talk more often about sex and in a more banal way, push some girls to be more suggestive in order to create an atmosphere favorable to our fall. So I would like to have you point of view, both in theory and in practict, have you experience such a plot ? A change in your environment that participated at the temptation ? Let me know your opinion. For me I observed that it's more or less the case, change is not sufficient to establish an opinion
I don't doubt that the devil might try such things, but we also need to remember the words of St. Paul: "God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Whatever the devil is able to do, God is infinitely more powerful and will always provide us with the grace we need, if we are truly open to it.
Thank to remind this verses. What I would like to know is if you have observed behavioral changes in your environment which can be explained by what I said.
First off absolutely Satan likes to win souls over by making them fall. And by that it's leading people down the path of ruin and into sin through temptations. I'll give you an example, I PMO quite often and quite heavily. My wife found out January or 2019. Since then it's been a very rocky path but one that I've been on to become spiritually, mentally emotionally stronger and to really be the man/father/husband I wanted to be. Well in the past year and few months, I have gotten quite spiritually stronger, but I also was fired from two jobs (which has never happened to me before) which gave me lots of time at home alone to 'think' about my PMO habits and struggle with them (loneliness and boredom). My father become quite ill and for a time I was really worried he might not make it (Stress). Plus there was a host of other things. But it was about focusing on the journey and each next step forward. I'm not better in fact I'm in a bit of a slump right now, but I'm trying and I struggle and I fight because Satan is fighting me. He hates to lose and every step I take closer to God is a further one from him and I think he ramps up his spiritual assault on me. God will not give us more than we can handle, but sometimes it's definitely more than we can handle alone and that's why we always need to rely on him.
It's a beautifull testimony 1Peter5:8, I'll for you to keep strong in your struggles and for your father. But again, it's not really what I ask. Maybe my english is not good enough for you to understand. Basically my question is : do you think the temptation of Satan can act only in a personal way (on my own desire to PMO for example) or can he use people around us to make us sin ? It's more a theological question. I will give my own experience to show what I mean : Since I'm in my journey, beyond all urges that becoming stronger and stronger, beyond all bad thoughs, bad suggestions that come in my mind (the "one last time" suggestion for example), I noticed two element that can be part of Satan's tactic : - My girlfriend implied to me that she would like to give a try in my fetishs. I have some fetishs that are not compatible with my faith and that my gf don't like, that's why I try to cure it. And some days ago, she implied to me that "mmmh why not ?" While it's totally out of context and she knows I'm in struggle with this and saying that does not help me. Did the idea come from her or was it suggested to me to make me fall? - A girl in my class who is really very pretty and whom I avoid dealing with to avoid any temptation to look at her started at the beginning of my journey to come in my group of friends when it's been 7 months since 'she was in a different group. In addition, she began to wear suggestive clothes. Is it pure chance or did Satan try to put a tool of his temptation before my eyes? It's a theological question. But if the answer is that other peoples can be part of Satan's tactic against us, that would be possible that we can be part of Satan's tactics against other people without knowledge it.
Temptation comes from the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. I would suggest working on dealing with one of these before you try to take on all three.
Ok, so no I don't think Satan can 'use' someone in the sense that he is able to directly manipulate them to make you fall to temptation. Satan can't 'force' someone to dress in suggestive clothing. As to your girlfriend I don't think Satan can make her 'into' whatever fetish you're struggling with. Maybe she's doing it because she really cares for you and wants to be closer to you in your relationship together. So by agreeing to something that she doesn't like she's trying to be closer to you. (Side note, don't let her. Be strong and tell her that you don't agree with the actions and you're trying to actively stop/prevent them even if they arouse you and that to be closer you need her to support the correct ways of love). I think a person may dress suggestively on their own, and Satan can use our desires and temptations to either make us fall or for us to be stronger and deny the temptation. That's the whole point of free will.
Thank you for your answer, it's more the opinion than I expected. I use your formulation in my first post in order to make everybody understand directly. Yes basically I believe my girlfriend said that to me for the reasons you mentioned. I also agree that Satan cannot force other people to do something, but can he suggest that they do that? Give them the idea as he can do with us? In fact what I find surprising is that I never found this idea mentioned somewhere, but it could be part of demonic tactics.
Here's what I've learned in my studies of spiritual warfare. The devil can influence the thoughts, feelings, and even skew the perception of people. That's kind of the basic principle on which all temptation is based. Maybe it starts as a thought and then you start feeling the desire and as this is happening your perception starts shifting. (E.G. You see a pretty woman, start feeling horny, and then start viewing her through that light.) There's plenty of evidence in scripture for this; The story of the fall in Genesis, Babel, David and Bathsheba. There are testimonies from numerous exorcists on this. It isn't just us that the devil can influence - he has access to the thoughts and feelings of every person. Even Jesus was tempted. With this in mind it would make sense to conclude that YES, Satan can manipulate people's thoughts and minds to orchestrate a master plan or make a person more likely to sin. HOWEVER, what @1Peter5:8 and @dlansky have pointed out is essential. The devil can't force us to do anything. He can influence us, but he can't make us do things. "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the temptation will always provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. In other words, although everyone is tempted and manipulated by the devil, we still and always will have the power to resist temptation by nature of our wills and God's grace. So in answer to your question, yes the devil can manipulate the people around you to make you more likely to sin. But you and everyone around you has the opportunity to resist temptation because God is with you. Be not afraid! -Tryin'
Our blessed Mother told us at Fatima that more people go to hell because of sins of the flesh. Is there a plot against us? Absolutely. Satan wants to drag you to hell more than anything else. He hates you and wants to see you tormented in fire for eternity. This is why PMO is so difficult to resist. I've been trying to quit PMO for a long time. As I've become more spiritual and certainly since I've started to attend the sacrament of penance, I have noticed that my craving have become worse and my reward has become enhanced(more powerful). I attribute this to the demonic. Every time you PMO, you open the door to the demonic. Fr. Chad Ripperger has much to say on this subject.(about demonic influence) Satan cannot force you to do anything unless you are demonically possessed. PMO can be effecting someone else who may try to pressure you to change your views.(PMO is "normal" and you're overly concerned that it isn't for example) That's the only way he could "use" someone else. I purchased Fr. Ripperger's book "Deliverance Prayers for the Laity." It's a great book to use in spiritual warfare. Thanks for the question, it's been interesting to read everyone's responses.
As a french guy, I'm reading Devil's Tactic and Deliverance from Fr. Jean-Baptiste Golfier and I read Win the spiritual warfare from Fr Descouvemont. These books give a lot of infos as well but nothing on the issue I mentioned. Thanks for your answer !
Here is my thought to the original posted question. YES! Run. Run as fast as you can. Here is my experience: The instant an immoral thought comes into your head. Pray. Do not engage in a discussion with the thought. If you do you have already lost. Pornography is evil. Period.
Yes that's what Pope Francis said. And it's true, we shall go to the arms of Christ at each temptation. But again: this is not really the subject of my question, I misspoke it, I recommend that you read the others posts to better understand what I'm on questioned. Happy Easter !
He has risen! I have been on this site in the past. I have failed many times. I must be more honest now with myself and others. My answer the the subject "Is there a devil's plot against us" is still - Yes. We are in a battle. My sword is the Rosary I would direct all reading this reply to this Fr. Donald H. Calloway, MIC -Mary Talk. So my response to the subject title is YES. What was you specific question. Dogstar
Rosary is a tremendous weapon, thanks to this prayer, I owe Mary to be where I am (58 days for now), without this prayer, I could not exceed 20 days by my own strength. I pray the Lord you'll benefit the same gift that I received.
