For we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of this dark world, and spiritual demons in the heavens.
- Ef. 6:12
If recent box office hits are any indication, it's the general cultural interest in the supernatural powers of hell.evil IPope's exorcistprobably grossed $75 millionrecommend them to a Christian audience.At the same time,exorcist inventory, an excellent new podcast that takes us on a dramatic journey through the priest's case file. Carlos Martins, with a million downloads. But more than entertainment or interest in education, there is more evidence that people are interestedinteractiveand permissions. Reports observed in recent yearsDemon activity increased, at least one10,000% increase in pagan worshipers(From an Augustinian point of view, this raises the specter of Satanism.)gather in the name of Satan, and evenPraise and worship satanic figuresAt the 2023 Grammy Awards, perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise becauseDecline of traditional religious practicesespecially Christianity. This decrease does not coincide with the decrease in the desire for the paranormal, but quite the opposite.
For many Christians, including myself, there is an understandable reluctance to consider the details of demonic power and activity in this world. For example, it's reasonable to assume that many people find the history of demonic possession—superhuman feats of strength and agility, supernatural knowledge, complete loathing and hatred of sacred objects, vulgar language—to be too terrifying for many people. Why fill our imagination with such evil things? Of course, there are bad reasons for this, such as pure curiosity about the occult. But there are good reasons to give upexorcist inventoryand similar means - namely, the virtues of growing in faith and hope.
Demons are real, their power and hatred of humans isvery seriously.
Faith is the virtue by which we believe what God has revealed, even if it is invisible. Hope is the virtue that enables us to confidently trust and hold fast to God's promises for our complete good. With the virtue of hope comes the gift of fear - abhorrence of what offends God and separates us from His grace. Deepening our knowledge of how Christ and His Church fought and continue to fight against the forces of hell can thus multiply the gifts of faith, hope and fear as we believe what He reveals, trust His promises, and avoid the possible desires of works that the wrath of the devil, all sufferings deepen. We can still give cause for hope in our hearts, and it isSoAmong demons (1 Peter 3:15).
So while the increased interest in interacting with demons is sad, it also represents an opportunity for Christians to re-evangelize and re-evangelize the message in light of the cosmic war evil angels are waging against God and humanity. Far from being a gruesome yet bizarre spectacle created solely to sell movie tickets (as Hollywood sometimes does) or "empower" artists considered marginalized (as the Grammys suggest) or first. A shameful remnant of scientific religion, an explanation of the universe that any rational person can safely reject (as some rationalists claim), demons are real, and their power and hatred of humans is extremely serious.
In fact, the message of the Gospel cannot be understood apart from the Christian account of demonic power and human suffering in the world.The reason for the appearance of the Son of God was to destroy the work of the devil(1 John 3,8).
The first miracle of Christ recorded in the First Synoptic Gospel is the exorcism of a man-possessed demon in Capernaum (Mk 1:21-28), and several exorcisms are mentioned in the Gospels. This confirms the divine power and authority of Christ in the spiritual realm. Surprisingly, Jesus did not begin his public ministry until he was tempted by Satan after 40 days of fasting in the desert. There are several lessons to be learned about the nature and power of demons from the biblical account of Jesus' temptation.
First, Satan is not just a metaphor for evil passions, a malevolent force of nature, nor an idea or symbol. He isPeopleHe who can speak, who knows how to make evil good with skill, is the one who opposes God's plan and destroys souls.
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Second, Jesus experienced firsthand how the devil prowls around like a lion looking for souls to devour (1 Peter 5:8). By enduring Satan's temptations in solidarity with humanity, Christ testifies that all humanity will be tempted by the enemy. Because "our high priest is not incapable of sympathy with our weaknesses, but was tempted in all points as we were, except sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
Third, Satan has power over the world, which he uses to enslave people (Luke 4:6). He is very intelligent and knows how to lure his prey. In the case of Jesus, Satan secured political power, fully aware that the Jews expected the Messiah to be an earthly king freed from the Roman yoke. But whatever the apparent benefit, it comes with a terrible price: demonic forces take over people's souls.
When one seeks some apparent benefit or power from the demon realm, it opens the door to certain forms of demonic suffering. These include obsession (demonic attachment to material objects), anger (physical pain), obsession (mental pain), and obsession. Jesus set an example of the right response to demonic temptations: fasting, prayer, proper formation of conscience according to God's Word, rejection of Satan's proposals, and firm faith and hope in the Lord.
The fourth lesson from Christ's temptation is that Satan's power is limited. He cannot force acts of will, and God has given us grace enough to resist his temptations. Moreover, the threat of demonic rule and the trials and tribulations that accompany it are offset by the promise of heavenly help, for after Satan left Christ, "angels came and ministered unto him" (Matthew 4:11). Good angels - angels created to serve humanity - outnumber bad angels 2-1.
In the beginning, Satan and a third of the angels fell (Revelation 12:4). They were originally created good, but they chose to reject God - even though they understood with angelic wisdom the bliss of union with God from the first moment of their creation. Why? pride. They know that only God can satisfy them, but they crave that happinessin their own way, except those created by the Creator.
Demons tempt people to follow in their footsteps by creatingthey aloneNursebath.
Rejecting divine principles and means designed for himself, Satan engages in self-deification, the basic pattern of his evil. From the temptations of the ancestors, to the temptations of Christ, to the demonic activities of our time, there is one thing in common: demons tempt people to follow in their footsteps and make themselves gods.
Why does God in his infinite wisdom, mercy and justice allow people to suffer demonic torment? The Bible shows that this potential sanction is built into the moral fabric of the universe: "He who overcomes man becomes a slave" and "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning" (2 Peter 2:19). ). ; 1 John 3:8). Therefore, as a priest, this is not surprising. Martins testified that demonic possession is often perfectly legal: when asked by exorcists, they legally refer to this moral structure. The devil refers to the victim's violation of the moral law as a reason for torturing victims under his jurisdiction.
Despite appeals to eternal law, the intentions of individual demons are always malevolent. At the same time, under the auspices of Providence, demonic torments are allowed, albeit malicious ones, because God knows how to bring good out of evil. Therefore, deliverance from demonic anger usually follows the repentance of the victim and the restoration or renewal of faith in Christ. And all this terrifies those demons who want to strengthen the ranks of the damned.
The good news is that Christ, through the work of the cross, completed His power over the spirits of hell, including the power to bind and cast them out, over Peter and the apostles, whose apostolic power was inherited through apostolic succession (Matt. 16:19; Luke 9: 1; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:15-26, 16:16-18). That is why priests today act as vicars in the name of Jesus Christ, from whom comes the power to bind and cast out demons.
In a culture increasingly obsessed with Satan and his minions, Catholics should boldly proclaim that the gospel message of Christ's victory over Satan continues today amidst the stories of demonic suffering and the successes of Catholic priests who set them free in Christ's name. . This is strong evidence that the Catholic Church is what it claims to be: the Church founded by Christ, the Holy Spirit continues to protect and guide it, and thus the desire for transcendence is properly directed to God.
FAQs
How do you pray for protection against evil? ›
Lord God, I pray for Your protection as I begin this day. You are my hiding place, and under Your wings I can always find refuge. Protect me from trouble wherever I go, and keep evil far from me.
Where in the Bible does it say hate your enemies? ›Matthew 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." The Good News: Even in times when you fill undeserving, the Lord will watch over you, and shield you from evil.
Danger two: worry about money (Matthew 6:25-34). Danger three: trusting in wealth rather than God (Luke 12:16-21). Danger four: loving money as your god, when no man can actually serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Danger five: using your money to oppress other people (James 2:6, Isaiah 3:15, Amos 2:6-7).
What is the most powerful protection prayer in the Bible? ›8) Psalm 91:1-7 NIV, slightly revised
I will say of You, Lord, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” and from the deadly pestilence.
LORD Jesus, You are the highest authority, and there is no spiritual power above You. Therefore, I hide in You, as You are my safe shelter. I'm confident that in submitting to You, no evil will ever be able to conquer me. Therefore, in Your name, I trust You to send Your messengers and protect me wherever I go.
What does God say to do with your enemies? ›And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 6:27-28: But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
What does God say about fighting your enemies? ›Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,' says the Lord. 'BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.
Does God protect me from my enemies? ›He provides a shelter from the storm, a hedge of protection from our enemies, and a shield from their weapons. If you are under attack, run to the Lord—He will protect you. If you have surrendered your life to Him, then run to Him again and again.
How does God tell us to fight evil? ›God says, “Do this and you will overcome evil with good: Let love be genuine.” In other words: “Love must be sincere.” It must be authentic! There must be no pretense – no play acting, nothing fake or false. Let your love be the real deal.
What are the 3 powerful prayers? ›
The prayer of protection. The prayer of transformation. The prayer of restoration.
What Psalm is the prayer for protection against evil? ›Psalm 140 1
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet. O LORD, I say to you, "You are my God." Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy. Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused.
In Christian tradition, the love of money is condemned as a sin primarily based on texts such as Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 1 Timothy 6:10. The Christian condemnation relates to avarice and greed rather than money itself.
What does the Bible say about not making money? ›Proverbs 10:4 says, “Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches.” God has designed us to work. When he placed Adam and Eve in the garden, he told them to cultivate the earth and multiply.
Where in the Bible does it say wealth is worthless? ›“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 11:4) | by Benn Matthew | Medium.
What is the strongest prayer? ›It is called the "Jesus Prayer", and it consists simply in uttering the single word "Jesus" (or "Lord Jesus", or "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner") in any situation, at any time and place, either aloud or silently.
What is a powerful prayer for everything? ›Father in heaven, I stand before You today in Your omnipotent presence to ask that You grant me strength. I want You to give me the strength to power through all of the tasks today — whether little or big. It is by Your will that I live oh Lord. And I know it is also by Your will I will not go weak today.
What is the powerful morning prayer? ›Dear Lord, This morning as I contemplate a new day, I ask you to help me. I want to be aware of your spirit—leading me in the decisions I take, the conversations I have, and the work I do. I want to be more like you, Jesus, as I relate to the people I meet today—friends or strangers.
What is the best prayer for protection at night? ›O Lord our God, keep us in peace during this night and at all times. Keep our hearts and thoughts secure in holy reverence for you, so that we may be protected at all times from the snares of the enemy.
What is a powerful prayer for home protection? ›Dear God, I thank you for this home. I pray that you would come and protect this home against the attack of the enemies. I pray against any evil that tries to enter this home, and strength to overcome temptation.
What is the powerful Jesus prayer? ›
Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever.
What is God's promise for enemies? ›Under THE BLESSING, God has promised to deal with our enemies. Gloria Copeland says, “The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before your face. This is THE BLESSING; this belongs to you.
How do you overcome your enemies? ›- Do right, so you can be in the right. Enemies take full advantage of your weaknesses. ...
- Know when to fight. ...
- Give 'em rope. ...
- Know what they're saying about you, and make sure you address it. ...
- Don't live life in permanent battle mode.
Praying for God to punish the wicked is neither unloving nor vindictive but is an expression of faith in Him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).
Where in the Bible does God say I will fight for you? ›Exodus 14:14 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Isaiah 3:11 says, “Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Any man, who harbours sin in his heart and, does that which is wicked; and all about him is evil, in him -before him, after him, round about him, above him, below him.
When your enemy is hungry? ›Romans 12:20 New King James Version (NKJV)
Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Ephesians 6:18 – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
What Psalms are for revenge against enemies? ›Psalms 13, 31, 37, 91 and 94 are analysed in relation to individual suffering and vengeance and Pss 58, 79, 137 and 149 in relation to collective suffering and vengeance. Vengeance does feature in the Psalms, but very seldom is vengeance asked for as such. Suffering takes many shapes and has many causes in the Psalter.
Does God handle revenge? ›The Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 12, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
What evil thoughts come from the heart? ›
' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man `unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him `unclean.
What does the Bible say about power over the enemy? ›Jesus said, “I give you authority over all the power of the enemy.” That's the reason the Bible says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Not because you're stronger, but because Jesus is stronger.
What is the powerful three word prayer to the Holy Spirit? ›Lord, create in me a clean heart and a right spirit before You. Give me a new, positive, joyful, loving, and forgiving attitude toward others. Where there is anything that needs to change in me, I pray You would enable that change to happen. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
How do I ask the Holy Spirit for help? ›Approach him with thanksgiving and ask for what you need, and above all ask him for the presence, strength, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Lord, we praise and thank you for always providing and caring for us. Hear our prayer, and send us your Spirit to guide and strengthen us today. Amen.
Which Psalm is powerful protection? ›Psalm 91. V1 Whoever goes to the LORD for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, V2 can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.”
What Psalms are anger at enemies? ›Major imprecatory Psalms include Psalm 69, while Psalms 5, 6, 11, 12, 35, 37, 40, 52, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 79, 83, 94, 137, 139 and 143 are also considered imprecatory. As an example, Psalm 69:24 states toward God, "Pour out Your indignation on them, and let Your burning anger overtake them."
What is the most powerful psalm in the Bible? ›Psalm 46:10-11
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Matthew 19:21-26: "Jesus said to him, 'If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
What is God's payment for our sins? ›“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NIV). Jesus did not pay for our sins only in part: he paid for all our sins. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36, NIV).
What does God say about staying single? ›Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
What does the Bible say about hoarding money? ›
Ecclesiastes 5:13 tells us wealth hoarded does so to the harm of the owner; Isaiah 23:18 tells us that those who don't hoard their wealth, their profits will go toward abundant food and fine clothes; and James 5:3 tells us if you hoarded wealth in the last days your gold or silver will be corroded and eat your flesh ...
What does the Bible say about borrowing money and not paying back? ›Ps 37:21 - The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. The Bible is clear that when something is borrowed is should be paid back. Someone refusing to repay reveals a wicked heart and not the generous and giving heart God wants us to have.
Does God want us to make money? ›God does not supply money to satisfy our every whim and desire. His promise is to meet our needs and provide an abundance so that we can help other people. It is when we accept this principle that God will multiply our abundance as well.
What does God say about feeling worthless? ›Remember who made you - The Lord doesn't see you as worthless and neither should you. He delights in you and loves you. Remember who made you and how precious, special, and unique you are in His eyes. Even though you may feel worthless, it's not true.
What is the wealth of the wicked? ›The wealth of the wicked is stored up for those that have the mind of Christ. The world's monetary system operates as a function of law as opposed to a function of value. Most act, behave, and believe as though our money has value.
Does God not want us to be rich? ›He prays: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, 'Who is the LORD? ' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9).
Where in the Bible does it say God will protect you from all evil? ›Psalms 121:7-8 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in [everything that you do] From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 8. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Fall asleep to the comforting promise of Psalm 8, as you name and lay your worries down at God's feet—one by one. Hand your stress over to Jesus tonight, as he instructs us to, and meditate on this good night Bible verse.
What is the most powerful morning prayer? ›Dear Lord, This morning as I contemplate a new day, I ask you to help me. I want to be aware of your spirit—leading me in the decisions I take, the conversations I have, and the work I do. I want to be more like you, Jesus, as I relate to the people I meet today—friends or strangers.
What is the powerful prayer that never fails? ›The most effective prayer, the one that is always answered, is this: “Father, glorify Your name.” “Answer my cry, O Lord, in a way that will accomplish Your will, for Your will is good, acceptable, and perfect. It is best for You, and therefore best for me and any others who may be affected by this prayer.
What is the most powerful miracle prayer? ›
Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works.
What are the powerful hours to pray? ›The typical schedule for the Divine Hours follows a three-hour pattern, with prayers at 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. In addition, there are evening prayers and morning prayers outside of these times.
Will God protect me from my enemies? ›He provides a shelter from the storm, a hedge of protection from our enemies, and a shield from their weapons. If you are under attack, run to the Lord—He will protect you. If you have surrendered your life to Him, then run to Him again and again.
What God promises to protect you? ›"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."
What does the Bible say about disrespectful family members? ›Repeatedly, God warns children to honor their parents with loving hearts of obedience (Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2). Mouthy and sarcastic children who demean or belittle their parents' leadership and decision making are clearly on a path to destruction. King David's son, Absalom, is one such example in the Bible.