The Battle Is Real
Brothers and sisters:
Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm
against the tactics of the Devil.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood
but with the principalities, with the powers,
with the world rulers of this present darkness,
with the evil spirits in the heavens. (Eph 6:10-12)
Do not be deceived — the devil is real. Too many people have given up believing in the devil. When that happens, the devil wins because he can apply his many wiles on a person and the person explains it away as random worldly temptations or other such excuses instead of recognizing the real danger the person faces.
In the Gospels, there were many times when Jesus confronted demons. There are accounts of demons throughout the Old and New Testament. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, there have been accounts of demons. Possessions have taken place throughout the ages to the present day.
There have been times when the presence of the devil has not only been denied but made fun of. I remember Flip Wilson always telling people “The Devil made me do it!”
Have no doubt about it. We are in a spiritual warfare. The devil wants to win our soul just as much as God wants our soul to return to Him at the end of our days. Each soul that the devil wins is a great — and eternal — loss.
Pray hard. Be firm in the faith. Never underestimate the power of our enemy. And know that our God is stronger than the enemy and our God will give us every grace that we need not only to do battle but to win.
FAITH ACTION: Pray the Prayer to St. Michael for strength in fighting evil this day:
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the Divine Power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Additionally, if I may ask, would you say a prayer for me.
Today is my fifty-eighth birthday.