Chapter 48

Overcoming the Evil One

When the soul is clothed in faith
the devil is ignorant of how to hinder her,
neither is he successful in his efforts,
for faith gives her strong protection—
more than do all the other virtues—
against the devil, who is the mightiest
and most astute enemy.
As a result, St. Peter found
no greater safeguard than faith
in freeing himself from the devil, when he advised:
‘Resist him, firm in your faith.’  (1 Peter 5:9)

—St. John of the Cross

St. Peter and St. James show us the way to overcome the evil one.  “‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’  Therefore, submit yourselves to God, but resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:6-8)  In faith and humility submit yourself to God, but reject the devil and despise him.  “Resist,” indeed, refuse to accept, and then overcome the evil one’s temptation, subjection and oppression by the power of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus, our Lord.  He is the Good Shepherd.  He is Christ the King.  We belong to Him, not to Satan.

We can be free of the enemy’s tyranny.  The evil spirit cannot overcome the Holy Spirit.  God is infinite; the devil, finite.  The Lord Almighty is Creator; Lucifer, a creature—a fallen angel in a permanent state of rebellion.  “A liar, and the father of lies,” we can defeat him with the truth, for “the truth will set you free.” (John 8:44, 8:32)  We can overcome the evil one with true love.  “Perfect love casts out fear”—not the humble holy fear of God, a sincere reverence and respect in His presence—but the slavish fear of rejecting Satan’s intimidations and seductions. (1 John 4:18)  “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of good judgement.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  He is a bully and a coward, a dark spirit of deception and oppression.  Sprinkle your forehead with Holy Water and say— “Begone Satan! in the name of Jesus Christ.”

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  Pray The Four Step Prayer.  Repel the devil and rout him out, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Have faith and humility.  We are unworthy, but by God’s mercy we can be free of the enemy of our salvation.  Remember also, Mass and Confession, a strength and protection in your battle against evil.  Follow Jesus Christ and never leave Him.  He will free you from sin and temptation.  Insofar as we are united to Jesus Christ, the devil is defeated.

GENERAL PRAYERS
FOR
SPIRITUAL PROTECTION

Sprinkle your forehead with Holy Water and say—
“Begone Satan! in the name of Jesus Christ.”

The Four Step Prayer

The “Sign of the Cross” —
“In the name of the + Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The “Hail Mary,” “Hail, Holy Queen,” or some other Marian prayer.

The “Glory be” doxology.