Theological Made Practical Series | #10

368 Words / Read time: 2.5 Minutes

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Four Practical Tactics to Defeat the Devil

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Many of us, unwittingly, grant the devil power over us.

Why?

We cling to something that gives the devil permission to cling to us.

Four practical ways to cast out demons:

1. Receive Humiliations with Joy

The man of pride is owned by the devil.
St. Francis de Sales says,
“The road to humility is paved with the sharp stones of humiliations.”
“Humility is truth” (St. Thomas Aquinas).
Humiliations shatter our self-inflated ego.
By embracing humiliations, God grants humility.
Humility subdues pride.
Hence the devil is cast out.

 

2. Forgive Your Enemies

The devil seeks not forgiveness, nor does he forgive.
“If you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive you” (Lord Jesus).
I.e. you will be bound to the devil.

Maria Goretti, stabbed fourteen times by Alessandro, said,
“I for the love of Jesus forgive my murderer and I want him to be with me in paradise.”
The devil had no power over Maria.
By her forgiveness, God exorcised the demon from Alessandro, and he was converted.

 

3. Pray for Those You Dislike

St. John Vianney said, “The way to overcome the Devil when he excites feelings of hatred for those who injure us is immediately to pray for their conversion.”
By praying for those you dislike, they and the devil lack power over you.

 

4. Be Thankful for Past Sins

“The devil accuses God’s people day and night” (See Rev 12:10).
Often, when haunted by our sins, we despair.
St. Francis de Sales advises, “If…we find the cause of our wrongdoing, we must thank God, for an evil is half cured when we have found its cause.”
We thank God for our sinful past, for by it we recognize His mercy.

 

The evil one will tire of assailing you with humiliations.
By them you become humble.

The devil will weary of accusing you of your sins.
By repenting from them you rejoice in God’s forgiveness.

The demons will cease inciting you to hate your enemies.
When reminded of them, you forgive them.

You become a divine boomerang.

The devil hurls his ammunition at you, but it falls upon himself.
You turn the devil’s afflictions into the praises of the Lord…

Because of this, he will flee from you.