Don?t Underestimate The Devil!

Today?s Gospel (Luke 4:1-13) on the temptation of Jesus is jam-packed with information, but I?d like to concentrate on a few key points. While it may not be pleasant, let?s spend a few minutes looking at the devil and some of the methods that he uses to trick you into committing sinful actions. When you?re at war, it?s always important to know your enemy and, make no mistake about it, we are at war every day with the forces of evil! Let?s look at some key points about our enemy, Satan:

The Devil Is Real ? The biggest mistake that many of us make is to downplay the role of the devil. The Church teaches that Satan is real, is a liar and always tries to trick us into committing sin. Nothing makes him happier then when people deny his existence. Doing so allows him to work more freely. If people don?t believe that he exists, they are less likely to fear him and his deceitful ways. That?s just what he wants!

The Devil Will Tempt You Where You?re Weak ? In this encounter, we see that the devil initially tempts Jesus when He is hungry. And how does he tempt Him? With food. While the devil is not all powerful, he is very smart and tempts each of us in different ways. A person who struggles with pornography is going to be tempted differently than one who is prone to gluttony. Each of us has our own moral weaknesses and don?t think for a minute that Satan is unaware of them.

The Devil Will Try To Prevent You From Doing Good ? In this Gospel reading, Jesus is tempted just before He began His public ministry. In Satan?s mind, stopping Jesus before He began His mission could put an end to the salvation of mankind. Have you ever been ready to begin some good work (teaching religious education, attending Bible study, doing some kind of charitable work) and had doubts or second thoughts? Maybe you felt unqualified or just didn?t feel like going. While it?s not always the case, often times it?s ?you know who? trying to prevent you from advancing God?s Kingdom.

If The Devil Would Tempt Jesus, He Will Tempt You ? If the devil has the audacity to tempt Jesus, do you think he will avoid you? He will try everything in his power to get us to commit a sin and then he will rejoice. He will lie and tell us that our sinful action ?isn?t that bad?. He will tell us that the action will feel good. He will say that it won?t hurt anybody. Don?t listen to him, as he?s nothing more than a liar.

While it?s important to fear the devil, it?s equally important to remember that he can?t make us do anything. He can suggest things and try to fool us, but unless we go along with him, we can?t fall into sin. Also, don?t forget that God is more powerful than the devil. Pray each day for the grace to be able to resist the devil?s attack. In addition, pray the rosary daily to ask for Our Lady?s intercession. St. Padre Pio stated, ?Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today.? Above all, don?t panic. If we remain close to the Lord, especially during times of temptation, we will be victorious!

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

6 Responses to Don?t Underestimate The Devil!

  1. Roni says:

    Thanks for the reminders Gary. I appreciate your work.

  2. belen says:

    I feel that God may be calling me be to be a catechist or a theologian. But I had second thoughts like you said, especially because I don't feel "qualified" to teach people. I also think "what if it isn't God's will?". I want to serve the Church but I don't know how or what I'm good for.

  3. Adam C says:

    I really enjoyed this entry. It is quite short, but it gets straight to the point.

    I am a protestant, but I really admire the no-nonsense approach that Catholics seem to have. I found this via a link on newadvent.org, which is also a very interesting site. It's driving me to really reconsider my faith, and I'm learning a lot about Catholicism.

  4. Gary Z. says:

    Thanks to all of your for the comments. "Belen" – I will keep you in my prayers. Don't underestimate what the Lord will accomplish through you. If you're feeling the call, I suggest you pursue it. Tell God that you want to do His will and to let you know if it isn't what He wants. I was close to quitting my ministry many times, but I hung in there and God is using me in ways that I never would have imagined!

    Adam C – I also encourage you to continue the pursuit of the truth. The Lord will lead you if you ask Him. If I can be of any assistance, please send me an email at thecatholictruth@yahoo.com.

    God Bless,
    Gary

  5. Adam B says:

    Hi,

    I think it is good to bring forth this.

    About you writing:
    "While it?s important to fear the devil, it?s equally important to remember that he can?t make us do anything."

    I think we should not fear him. We should only have a right fear of God. I think we should fear to sin against Him.

    "Luke Chapter 12
    12:4. And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.

    12:5. But I will shew you whom you shall fear: Fear ye him who, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you: Fear him."

    source:
    http://www.tldm.org/bible/new%20testament/luke.htm

    and

    St. Anthony

    "30. 'So then we ought to fear God only, and despise the demons, and be in no fear of them. But the more they do these things the more let us intensify our discipline against them, for a good life and faith in God is a great weapon."

    source:
    http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm

    Kindest Regards,
    Adam B
    May God bless you.

  6. Anonymous says:

    I to have felt shy about joining some of the church activtes but not any more, Im on to the devil now!!!!

Comments are closed.