CATHOLIC FRONT: DON’T GIVE SATAN A CHANCE

"Don't Give Satan a Chance" (Ephesians 4:27)

Satan’s identity is real. He has a well-defined mission, and uses highly tactical and crafty ways to deceive and to achieve. But the truth is that God has already defeated Satan - through the death of his Son, Jesus Christ, on the Cross (Colossians 2:15). And through his Word and his Spirit God has given to also believers the means to outsmart and to defeat Satan. The knowledge of God is his power; it is left for one to believe and to act – in order to win. Read this post to know the truth so that you will not fall prey to the Evil One.

1. WHO IS SATAN?

The word Satan is the English translation of the Hebrew word which means “adversary” or “archenemy”. He is referred to as the "tempter" (Matthew 4:3), "the ruler of demons" (Matthew 12:24), "the evil god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), "the evil one" (1 John 5:18), and "a roaring lion" (1 Peter 5:8). Thus Satan is the prince of the evil spirits and the adversary of God. He is the chief angel who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven with other “fallen” angels to the earth, before the creation of human beings. (Ezekiel 28:14–18, Isaiah 14:12–17, Luke 10:18, Revelation 12:7-9). Satan – who is also known as the ancient Serpent, the dragon or the Devil - is identified as the one that tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, and was thus the catalyst for the fall of human beings. (Genesis 3:1-23).

2. THE MISSION OF SATAN

His task is to roam the earth seeking out acts or persons to be reported adversely to God (Revelation12:10). His function thus is the opposite of that of the “eyes of the Lord,” which roam the earth strengthening all that is good. Satan is cynical about disinterested human goodness and is permitted to test it under God’s authority and control and within the limits that God sets. As adversary, Satan also acts somehow like a divine prosecutor for God; and in this regard, the two figures - God and Satan - are not seen as conflicting. (Job 1:1-12) However, as the prince of the evil spirits, Satan is the irredeemable enemy of God and of Jesus Christ, who takes the guise of an angel of light, to deceive and to ruin human beings. He can enter people and act through them. Through his subordinate demons, Satan can take possession of human beings and their lives to afflict and to suffer them. Satan knows that he has already been condemned by God (John 16:11), and that when the time comes he will be bound in chains for a thousand years, before finally being cast into hellfire for eternity. (Matthew 8:29; Revelation 20: 1-3, 10). This is the reason why he is fast in deceiving people so that they end up by suffering with him in hellfire. As it is written: “But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars - the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8).

JESUS RESISTS SATAN'S TEMPTATION

3. HOW SATAN OPERATES

“For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

As it is written, Satan use tricks, lies and glittering offers to deceive and to lure people away from God, in order to possess, rob, dominate and use them to disobey God and to cause evil in the world. He profits on the pride, envy, foolishness and naivety of human beings to overthrow and to rule over many Christians whom Christ has redeemed by his Precious Blood to rule over the world. (Revelation 5:9-10; Ephesians 2:6). This is how he operates: when Satan perceives people’s desires, problems and needs he uses these as opportunities to contact the people, to tell them lies and to make his diabolic offers to “help” them. Satan may reach out to his targets either through his human agents or his subordinate demonic and foul spirits. As a Christian, one may pray and for some reasons (it is not yet time, change your ways, come closer to me, it is not my will for you etc.) God delays to answer. For God is more concerned with saving souls than in fulfilling human desires (especially, if the desires conflict with salvation). But Satan has no such considerations, since his ultimate purpose is to deprive people of eternal salvation.

In summary, here are the luring tactics that Satan uses to possess and to rule over people:

(1) Satan gives people what they want, but not necessarily what is good for them and for others. That is why selfish and foolish people follow him.

(2) Satan gives people what they want and at the time they want. That is why those who have no patience run after him.

(3) Satan gives people what they do not work for, and helps them to reap where they did not sow. That is why lazy people worship him.

(4) Satan is the adversary of God and gives favors to encourage people who hate God. That is why pagans, and unfaithful and disobedient Christians follow him.

(5) Satan strikes, without mercy, when people violate his rules or instructions. That is why those who follow him, strictly obey him.

In fact, Satan began his work to blindfold and mislead people with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7). But Jesus, the New Adam, showed believers how to outwit and to defeat him – by rebutting his claims with scriptures, rejecting his offers, and rebuking him to leave. (Matthew 4:1-11). Why, then, do believers continue to fall every day to the temptations of Satan?

4. WHY PEOPLE FALL

In reality, Satan takes advantage of the spiritual limitations of human beings to manipulate and to rule over them. Such limitations include, the lack of knowledge and understanding of the Word of God, the lack of love for God and for fellow human beings, the lack of faith and trust in God, and the lack of, or resistance to the Holy Spirit, who is the Helper to the believer. (Galatians 5:13-25). Generally, the following human weaknesses cause many people to fall to the deceptive tricks and lures of Satan: pride, laziness, lack of endurance, fear, unbelief, impatience, greed (intense and selfish desire for money, power, food etc.), carnality (submission to the desires of the flesh), and the lack of zeal or willingness to fast and pray. Of all these causes, pride is the most harmful because it hinders the believer from receiving the needed grace and help of God in times of trial – pride is the mother of all sins. That is why it is written: “But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:6, 10)

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5. KNOW WHO YOU ARE

The first step for one to rule over Satan in the word or to regain one’s freedom from satanic dominion, is to know who a believer is – in order to uphold – one’s identity as a believer. The mystery of baptism is that one is baptized into the priesthood of Jesus Christ, in order to serve God and to rule on earth as a king (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10). This is done by witnessing for Christ – in words and in actions – using the charismatic and prophetic gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8).

The second step for one to rule over Satan in the word or to regain one’s freedom from satanic dominion, is to know what a believer has – in order to exercise – one’s authority as a believer. By the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:1-4), Jesus gave to believers definite authority and power over Satan in the world. So it is written: “Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues.” (Mark 16:17); and also, "Listen! I have given you authority, so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the Enemy, and nothing will hurt you." (Luke 10:19)

The final step for one to rule over Satan in the word or to regain one’s freedom from satanic dominion, is to know how Christ lived in the world – in order to live – one’s new life as a believer. So it is written: “Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old has gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This calls for the total repentance of the believer and for their perfect imitation of the life, words and deeds of Christ on earth.

6. MAKE REPARATIONS

After examining their conscience; one should repent, confess their sins, and make the necessary reparations for all their wrongs. The Word of God says: “Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom!” (James 4:8-9). Then one must outwardly and inwardly deny and renounce Satan; and all his works, promises and covenants. Following this, one should renew their baptismal promises or take baptism (as the case may be). It is very important to regularly take the sacrament of penance, and to get into or remain in constant communion with Christ in Holy Scriptures (study, meditation and action), Eucharist (active participation in the Holy Mass, receiving Holy Communion in the state of worthiness, and the adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament). All these should be accompanied with fasting, sacrifice and prayers – in order to grow in holiness, love of God and fellowship with the Holy Spirit – to overcome Satan or his subordinate spirits and human agents, who dare to tempt the believer.

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7. PRAY without ceasing

As it is written, “At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people.” (Ephesians 6:16-18). Thus one has to pray (Divine Mercy, Holy Rosary, praises, worship, spiritual warfare etc.) regularly, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Prayers to break curses and satanic covenants that one might have entered into, knowingly or unknowingly. One should also pray for the grace to love God and fellow human beings, and for the forgiveness of their offences.

The scripture also says, “Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this Dark Age.” (Ephesians 6:11-12). The full armor of God for the believer constitutes of: (1) the knowledge and application of the Word of God (Ephesians 1:17), (2) the benefit of salvation in the fervent participation in the Holy Mass - as the continuity of Jesus’s sacrifice on Calvary (Luke 22:19-20) - which is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18), (3) the shield of one’s faith on the foundation of the universal Church, as God’s instrument of salvation to the world (Ephesians 2:20; 6:16; Matthew 16:17-18); and (4) the power of the Holy Spirit who is given to believers as their Helper (John 14:16-17)

8. RESIST THE DEVIL

The Word of God says: “So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you.” (James 4:7). In order to resist the Devil one must have four things: (1) adequate knowledge and understanding of the Word of God (2) true love for God and for neighbors (3) faith in the will and the ability of God to save and to bless one; and (4) the trust in the Holy Spirit as one’s Helper. The testimony of Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11) is eloquent and powerful enough to lead every true believer to overcome Satan. The full meaning and implication of Jesus’ statement, “The scripture says, ‘human beings can live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks’”: (Matthew 4:4) is this: one must examine every action or decision in the light of the Scriptures before taking it. Therefore, in order to overcome Satan one must live by the Word of God, that is Christ (John 1:1, 14) - the one that defeated Satan on the Cross (Colossians 2:15). So it is written: “For our love for God means that we obey his commands. And his commands are not too hard for us, because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:3-5).

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9. WIN YOUR SALVATION

Salvation is like an open and constant race for believers to struggle in their maximum efforts to claim the prize that Jesus has already won for them on the Cross. That is why Saint Paul says: “I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.” (Philippians 3:12-14). Also the rewards of eternal salvation are definitive, as it is written: "Those who win the victory will receive this from me: I will be their God, and they will be my children. I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: Now God's home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared” (Revelation 21:7; 3-4)

Yet, Salvation is not something that we hope to find only in heaven. The following testimonies are palpable evidence that the salvation of the faithful begins on earth: (1) Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of attempting to rape her, because he refused to commit adultery with her (Genesis 39:10-19). So Joseph was imprisoned (Genesis 39:20). But by a turn of events, God made the King to appoint Joseph as Governor of the whole of Egypt (Genesis 41:40-44); (2) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a hot furnace for refusing to worship the idol of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. But when God sent his angel to rescue them, the king believed and was converted. Then he promoted the three heroes of faith to higher positions in the province of Babylon (Daniel 3:14-30); and (3) Paul and Silas were praising God after being tortured and thrown into jail for the sake of Christ, but the Holy Spirit came down and the chains fell off their feet. For this reason they were released from jail, and the jailer and his family were also converted to Christ. (Acts 16:22-26).

Now that you know who Satan is, and how he orchestrates his plans to deceive and to ruin human beings, their lives and their souls; you have the choice between life and death, and between blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 30:19). For, as St Augustine wrote, “God who created us without our help will not save us without our consent.” Have a blessed month of September!

Author: Godman Aying; Catechist, Writer & Evangelist;

Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com