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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
our basic attitude towards forces of darkness?	francis	Friday, November 28, 2008
Question: Will you please summarize on the basic attitude one ,who is serious on catholic spirituality, has to have towards the matters of spiritual warfare and the issue of spiritual warfare? ( as a serious christian is spiritually in battle with the forces of darkness; I would like to know how far one has to bother about spiritual warfare in his life as a christian)
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Francis: The Christian life is spiritual warfare. Our attitude toward it is to acknowledge that it exists (Eph 6:12), be aware of the devil's schemes (2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:11; 1 Peter 5:9), resist the devil when it tempts or harasses (James 4:7; Eph 6:10-18), and do what is appropriate when circumstances warrant. Spiritual warfare comes in many forms. The devil may tempt you through a TV show, an attack can come from a friend who is unwittingly inspired by the devil, irritations between husband and wife can sometimes be inspired by the devil. The greatest spiritual warfare is the battle for the mind and not demonic manifestations and paranormal phenomena. St. Peter himself was unwittingly inspired by the devil we the thought came to him to dissuade Jesus from his mission. Jesus said "Get thee behind me Satan" (Matt 16:22-23). It is in the mind that the devil has his greatest success. Thus, we must be careful what we put into our mind. The images, sounds, and ideas we allow into our minds can be used by the devil as fuel to attack our imaginations. We must also know our faith. Many people fall into the devil's scheme because the know litlte of their own faith. I am amazed at how many Catholics think nothing of living together without marriage or involving themselves in occult things and seem to actually not know they are doing anything wrong. We must be on guard for the devil: 1 Peter 5:7-9 "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." We need not be afraid for "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). In terms of seeing spiritual warfare going on in the world with others? We need to participate in helping others as we are able. That means praying for others, but it also means doing for others. As the old saying goes, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." So we need to vote according to moral choices of righteousness, be involved in the Pro-Life movement, work against evil when we find it, write our congressmen, write letters to our TV stations, whatever it is we are able to do and are called to do by God. We cannot do everything and cannot participate in every cause or help every person, but we can do what we are able and we can always pray for all. Eph 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert [for the devil's schemes and flaming arrows] with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

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our basic attitude towards forces of darkness?

francis

Friday, November 28, 2008

Question:

Will you please summarize on the basic attitude one ,who is serious on catholic spirituality, has to have towards the matters of spiritual warfare and the issue of spiritual warfare? ( as a serious christian is spiritually in battle with the forces of darkness; I would like to know how far one has to bother about spiritual warfare in his life as a christian)

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Francis:

The Christian life is spiritual warfare. Our attitude toward it is to acknowledge that it exists (Eph 6:12), be aware of the devil's schemes (2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:11; 1 Peter 5:9), resist the devil when it tempts or harasses (James 4:7; Eph 6:10-18), and do what is appropriate when circumstances warrant.

Spiritual warfare comes in many forms. The devil may tempt you through a TV show, an attack can come from a friend who is unwittingly inspired by the devil, irritations between husband and wife can sometimes be inspired by the devil.

The greatest spiritual warfare is the battle for the mind and not demonic manifestations and paranormal phenomena. St. Peter himself was unwittingly inspired by the devil we the thought came to him to dissuade Jesus from his mission. Jesus said "Get thee behind me Satan" (Matt 16:22-23). It is in the mind that the devil has his greatest success. Thus, we must be careful what we put into our mind. The images, sounds, and ideas we allow into our minds can be used by the devil as fuel to attack our imaginations.

We must also know our faith. Many people fall into the devil's scheme because the know litlte of their own faith. I am amazed at how many Catholics think nothing of living together without marriage or involving themselves in occult things and seem to actually not know they are doing anything wrong.

We must be on guard for the devil:

1 Peter 5:7-9 "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."

We need not be afraid for "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

In terms of seeing spiritual warfare going on in the world with others? We need to participate in helping others as we are able. That means praying for others, but it also means doing for others. As the old saying goes, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

So we need to vote according to moral choices of righteousness, be involved in the Pro-Life movement, work against evil when we find it, write our congressmen, write letters to our TV stations, whatever it is we are able to do and are called to do by God.

We cannot do everything and cannot participate in every cause or help every person, but we can do what we are able and we can always pray for all.

Eph 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert [for the devil's schemes and flaming arrows] with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."

God Bless,

Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.