Along life's journey, we often find ourselves facing dark challenges, forces that seem intent on undermining our serenity and our faith. Christian tradition is fully aware of the reality that there is an adversary, the devil, an angel who turned away from God and seeks in turn to lead us away from goodness and divine light. But do not be afraid! Bishop Raffaello Martinelli comes to our aid by directing us back to Sacred Scripture and the wisdom of the Church, which offer us eight sure ways to win this spiritual battle. Let us discover them together!
1. A life of authentic faith
The first bulwark against evil is a life of authentic faith. This translates into a trusting abandonment to God's fatherly and providential love (cf. Lk 12:22-31) and into firm obedience to his will (cf. Mt 6:10), following Christ's example. This unwavering trust is the most powerful shield we can wield. The most radiant victory over Satan is manifested in the continual conversion of our lives, a journey that finds a privileged expression in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Through this sacrament, God frees us from the burden of the sins we have committed, restores us to his friendship, and strengthens us with his grace to resist the attacks of the evil one.
2. Constant vigilance
The second weapon to use to win the battle of faith is constant vigilance. The words of Saint Peter still resonate powerfully today: “Be vigilant. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour; resist him, standing firm in the faith” (cf. 1 Pt 5:8-9). Being aware of the presence of evil and its snares is the first step toward not falling into its traps.
3. Living the Gospel
Another formidable way to counter the darkness of evil is to increasingly welcome and bear witness to the Gospel through word and deed. We must speak about the Gospel with courage and without fear; we must not be afraid to speak about the devil, but above all about the victory that Christ has already won over him and continues to manifest in the lives of his faithful. Jesus came precisely to destroy the power of darkness together with us and within us.
4. Fighting
The struggle is inevitable: we must fight against temptations. As the Second Vatican Council reminds us, the history of humanity is a continual battle against the forces of evil, begun at the dawn of the world and lasting until the end (Gaudium et spes, 37,2). In this struggle, we must constantly strive to remain united with what is good, and only with God’s help can we find our inner unity.
A fundamental aspect of this struggle is saying a firm “no” to every form of magic, divination, and spiritism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear: every attempt to predict the future by resorting to Satan or demons, invoking the dead, or using other similar practices is wrong (CCC 2116). Likewise, every magical or sorcerous practice that seeks to harness occult powers for one’s own benefit is gravely contrary to the faith (CCC 2117). This applies even if one claims to want to do good or heal, and all the more so if one wants to cause harm or invokes the help of demons (CCC 2117). Wearing amulets is also wrong, and spiritism often conceals magical or divinatory practices against which the Church warns us (CCC 2117).
5. Fleeing sin
Another fundamental way to weaken the power of the evil one is to flee by avoiding sin. Sin is an offense against God; it stands against his love for us and turns our hearts away from him. Like the first sin, it is an act of disobedience and rebellion against God, born of the desire to become “like God” (cf. Gen 3:5). Ultimately, sin is love of self to the point of contempt for God. Let us also remember that “death entered the world through the devil’s envy” (Wis 2:24), and sin makes us vulnerable to this envy.
6. Discernment
Discernment is a precious weapon. The Holy Spirit guides us in distinguishing between the trial, which is necessary for our inner growth, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. We must learn to distinguish between being tempted and yielding to temptation. Discernment helps us unmask the lie inherent in temptation, which often presents itself as something apparently good and desirable, but whose true fruit is death (Gen 3:6).
7. Prayer
Finally, prayer is a fundamental pillar in spiritual warfare. If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (cf. Rom 8:31). Jesus himself taught us to ask the Father: «Deliver us from evil» (cf. Mt 6:13). With this invocation, we pray to be delivered from all evils, present, past, and future, of which the devil is the author or instigator.
In prayer, the Church presents to the Father all the misery of the world, imploring deliverance from the evils that oppress humanity, the precious gift of peace, and the grace of persevering in awaiting Christ's return. Praying with faith, we anticipate the recapitulation of all things in the One who has power over death and the underworld.
8. Exorcism
In some particular circumstances, it may also be necessary to resort to exorcism, by contacting the bishop of your diocese, who will indicate the priest to whom he has entrusted the mandate authorizing him to perform exorcisms.
By following these eight “recommendations” with faith and commitment, we can face the snares of evil with courage and live a life ever closer to the love and light of God.
Let us remember: the victory is already ours, because Christ has already won!
Do not let evil win! Arm yourself with authentic faith and constant vigilance, and live the Gospel with courage. Reject evil, avoid sin, and use discernment. Pray with confidence and remember: Christ has already won! Begin your journey to spiritual victory today!
And if you would like to learn more, hear an exorcist's experience, and read the full text of Monsignor Martinelli's address, we recommend Questions for an Exorcist.
