are there entities/spirits that can influence our thoughts and decisions?

is temptation nothing more than spiritual influence by negative entities and spirits?

I've read that they can.I'd like some reassurance myself.

I think that if there does exist invisible entities that we can't see (this includes all spirits, ghosts and other things we can't precieve) that they do not affect us on a physical level but more rather a mental level - sometimes trying to push us into a negative state of mind that revolves around vices, violence and other negative attributes. This is all achieved by influencing our choices and decisions we make by either making a positive choice or a negative choice.

The answer to OPs question is yes. Not just yes, but hell yes. Let me try to be very clear here--we have free will, and that is absolute. Nothing outside ourselves can COMPEL us to think, say or do anything we do not choose.

But many things can influence us-- discarnate entities, astrological conditions, past-life karma, fear-mongering politicians, low blood sugar, drugs--the list goes on and on.

Dick Sutphen, one of the giants of the New Age, wrote a great book on this very subject, entitled "Unseen Influences."

They can influence us, but not directly. We are endowed with free will, and every choice we are to make is in direct coorelation to ourselves and only ourselves. As in, the responsibility lies within us. Then again, from a certain perspective, and given the will of whomever it is being targeted by such influence, this may be easily accomplished or a challenge. Personally, I can say I have been tempted by vile entites, and my mind is something more like a tattered battleground. But I feel your question has already been answered.

there is NO SUCH THING AS FREE WILL

you have to EARN will.

Hey I got a free will kit 2 weeks ago in the mail... Anyway I don’t really like the cute idea of free will; it’s not a practical term in my opinion. Will relies on two main factors the individual’s intellect and their perception, so basically the greater the two factors the more the individual becomes aware and is able to make more ‘free’ and independent decisions.

Now to apply that to OP's question, if you consider spirits and entities as conscious individuals then they would theoretically have their own 'will' and intent and could easily influence you if their two factors are greater.
Chances are there perception would be greater being of a different plane on existence and all so yeah.
They won’t be able to directly influence you're thinking but there are ways around that, the use of oppression being one and also possibly the use of event manifestation i.e. lots of subtle things to influence, manipulate and trick your will/thinking into doing something you wouldn’t have done otherwise chances are you would never realise as you would see your choices as your own.

If there are so many things that influence us, how are we to know our one true will?

yesss

yes.

ie. possession by demons.

go to a developing or underdeveloped country.