Do You Know What Weapons You Need to Fight the Spiritual Battles Against Evil and Win? Perhaps Some of Them May Surprise You

The devil is easily beaten.  Here’s what you need to know to fight the battles and WIN. 

Part I:  Some background. Tired of Being on the Defensive Against the Devil? Launch a Spiritual Offensive Instead

Part II:

What follows are some very powerful weapons you need to know about, and use, to defeat the devil when you are under spiritual attack.  

Included are several true stories to help underscore the importance of knowing how to fight to win, to help you recognize the battles in your own life, and to remind you that you are not experiencing them, and fighting them, alone.  

Oh, and by the way, you're not crazy, either.  

The powerful weapons highlighted here are:  Jesus Christ and visits to the Blessed Sacrament, the power of the Virgin Mary over the devil, the intercession of the Angels and the Saints, the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus (Holy Communion), the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer, and the use of sacramentals.

First Things First: There is No Situation in Which God is Absent

Have you ever asked Jesus to visit you and teach you something new?  He will, if you ask Him to.

Early one evening, I began asking Jesus to visit me overnight and teach me something new. I asked him intermittently several more times before retiring for the night. It was another typical night of the devil’s persecutions, which were expected, and my invitation to have Jesus visit was an attempt to spare myself from some of the devil's treachery.  In the morning, I asked our Savior why He didn’t come to visit.  He replied, “There is no situation in which I am absent.” 

Keep in mind that there is no situation in which our Lord is absent.  He always emerges victorious, and allows the devil to tempt and/or persecute us for our greater good.  We can't win if we are on the wrong side, so be sure you fight for the Kingdom of God, and not for the defeat of your own soul.

To Fight We Must First Surrender, to Advance We Must First Retreat:  Discover or Rediscover the Power of Holy Hour!

 

Discover or rediscover the POWER of Holy Hour!  Spend an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  Visit with Jesus, adore Him, thank Him, offer yourself to God the Father for Him!  Invite Him into your life, and aspire to greater union with the Divine.  With Christ as the Love of Your Eternal Life, you cannot lose.

Saints and Angels:  Our Intercessors and Friends

The Saints are our very powerful allies, they are eager to help us fight the devil, and there are so many of them, all willing and able to help us! 

"No prayer is ever lost."  ~ St. John Vianney 

One night, the devil was allowed to harass me more intensely than usual.  He suggested all sorts of temptations and was not shy about including plenty of vulgarity.  I tried to get away from him while resisting,  but his pursuit was relentless. I was traveling down a road on a hill (literally down hill!) and he fought hard to remain by my side.  The devil just would not stop, I could not get away from him, and I didn’t know what to do next. 

All of a sudden, just up ahead,  I saw a man standing in the middle of the road.  He was waiting for us.  The man is a priest, and I knew immediately who he is.  As soon as the devil saw him, he fled!  The devil was no match for Servant of God, Father John A. Hardon, S.J., who came to help me fight the demon.

   

It was the 2012 Feast Day of St. John Vianney, and I was kneeling waiting for my turn to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament during the Tridentine Holy Mass.  Father Ben was making his way along the communion rail distributing Holy Communion.  Just before he got to where I was kneeling, St. John Vianney presented himself by the altar, just behind Father Ben. 

Keep in mind that St. John Vianney was terribly persecuted by the devil for decades.  The saint was incredibly happy, and addressed the  devil’s many varied assaults on me and on my family.  He told me not to worry, because God always has the upper hand and He will see to it that all things work out for His greater glory.   
 
Don't forget about the saints you DON'T know or don't know well, for they await your requests for help.  Ask some saints unknown to you to come to your aid, and learn more about them.  

Studying the lives of the saints teaches us a great deal.  Learn about their battles and how they overcame their struggles, and apply the information to your own life.  Their examples can encourage us to stay strong as we fight with honor and courage as they did.   

Be sure not to neglect the help of angels.  Every one of us has a guardian angel, and there are many other angels who help us fulfill our missions, including but certainly not limited to the more well-known Archangels.  Get to know them!  They are here to help us get to heaven, and will not refuse your requests for help.  

A very efficacious prayer to Saint Michael is worth memorizing, and saying often when under spiritual attack, and also as an offensive strike before attacks happen:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.  Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;  and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.  Amen.
     
Ask the Angels and Saints to intercede for you.  Get to know them, establish relationships with them, and integrate them into your life's purpose.  They are powerful allies from heaven, here to help us fight the battles and win!

The Virgin Mary, "Mother of Mercy," and Her Incredible Power Over Satan

I had been preparing to reconsecrate myself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, when one night several weeks ago, the devil harassed me throughout the night, and then finally left.  However, he returned one more time just before morning.  Apparently he had not satisfied his rage, and he informed me with great arrogance and fury that he was there “to beat me up until I was almost dead.” 

There is something very significant about what he said, and you must know what it is.    

The devil’s rage is insatiable, and his hatred for us immeasurable.  He made clear that he was there to beat me until I was almost dead.  He was well aware of my physical suffering at the time, and since killing me would have been merciful in the sense that it would have ended my physical pain, he would not kill me, for the devil has no mercy. To break his influence over your life, make it a point to be merciful to others in imitation of Christ.

Before I had a chance to respond to what the devil said, Blessed Mother appeared and the devil fled immediately.  As he fled, I heard someone in a strange voice say something, and I believe Our Lady made the devil humble himself and say the following words, “She is going to reconsecrate herself to the Blessed Mother!  Praise be to God!” 

Blessed Mother is the dispenser of all graces and has been given the power to crush the head of the serpent.  Wear the Miraculous Medal. Consecrate or reconsecrate yourself to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Say the Rosary as often as you can.  Ask to be unified with Jesus AND with Blessed Mother when you receive Holy Communion.  Wear the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  She says, "Come to me."  So go to her, and she will always help you. 

The Eucharist and Confession: “These Are the Remedies You Must Use”

     This story from the biographical memoirs of St. John Bosco (Vol. VII, pages 143-145) may forever change the importance you place on praying the Rosary.  It sure did for Father Bosco and his boys, and for so many others who have heard the story since he first told it.  Please share it with others.

     For 60 years, St. John Bosco had many vision-like dreams that foretold the extraordinary mission God had for him, and also guided him as it came to fruition.  Fr. Bosco shared the dreams with his boys.  Sometimes the youths faced tremendous challenges, and in other dreams, the state of their souls were revealed.  The remarkable dream/visions continue to provide us in the modern era with important lessons and insights as we grow in sanctity and fulfill our purposes in life. 

     One particular dream had two parts, the Snake and the Rosary, and the Anvil and the Hammer.  In it, St. John Bosco "received yet another proof of the devil's unceasing, devastating attacks against souls and of the need to repel him constantly and free his victims."  1

The Snake and the Rosary

     In the first part of the dream, Fr. Bosco and his boys were at his brother's house in Italy.  As the boys played, a stranger came up to him and asked the priest to accompany him.  They arrived at a meadow alongside the playground, where the stranger pointed to a huge and ugly snake that was coiled in the grass.  The snake was over twenty feet long.

     Fr. Bosco was afraid and wanted to flee, but the stranger restrained him and said, "Get closer and take a good look."  He balked of course, but the stranger told him not to be afraid.  He told Fr. Bosco to stay where he was and went to get a rope.

     The strange man asked Fr. Bosco to take one end of the rope and grip it tightly in both of his hands.  The stranger held the other end, and together they dangled it over the snake.

     Fr. Bosco replied, "You must be crazy;  the snake will leap up and tear us to pieces."

     The stranger assured him all would be well, and again Fr. Bosco attempted to flee.  However, the stranger assured him that there was nothing to fear because the snake would not harm him.  His argument was so convincing, that Fr. Bosco remained and agreed to do as he said.

     The stranger then went to the other side of the "monster."  They stretched the rope and snapped it across the back of the snake.  It immediately sprang up and struck at the rope, but in doing so ensnared itself as if in a noose.

     The stranger yelled to Fr. Bosco to hold on and not let go, then ran to a pear tree nearby and tied his end of the rope to it.  Next he went to Fr. Bosco and tied his end of the rope to the iron grating of a window in a house.

     Fr. Bosco watched as the snake struggled with rage to free itself.  Instead, it tore itself to pieces and scattered its flesh all over the area.  Eventually it slashed itself against the rope until it was just a skeleton.

     Then, the most incredible thing happened.  The stranger untied the rope and coiled it up, and as he placed it in a box, told Fr. Bosco to watch carefully.  He closed the box, and by that time, the boys from the Oratory had gathered around him. They all watched as the stranger opened the box.  The rope was shaped into the words Ave Maria, or "Hail Mary."

     Fr. Bosco asked the stranger how that happened.  He explained that the snake is a symbol of the devil, and the rope represents the Rosary, a succession of Hail Marys with which we can strike, conquer and destroy all of hell's demons.

     Fr. Bosco concluded that first part of the dream by telling his boys that he would leave the second part of the dream for the next night.  That dream, named The Anvil and the Hammer, is described in the next story.  2

The Anvil and the Hammer

     The many significant dreams St. John Bosco had throughout his lifetime began when he was a child and continued for sixty years. God spoke to him, and through him then, and is speaking to us now  through those dreams. Some of them are parables, others are prophetic, and others are instructional.  They involved nations, the Salesian Congregation, missions, the Oratory, and the Oratory boys. 

     St. John Bosco usually had a guide and interpreter in the dreams. Sometimes he was able to see the state of the Oratory boys' consciences, which he considered to be an extraordinary grace that was granted for the benefit of their eternal salvation. 

     He shared his dreams with the children, and residents eagerly anticipated news of a new one.  The dreams contained clear and exact revelations, and the Oratory boys witnessed many of the events come to pass. Fr. Bosco was said to have narrated his dreams humbly, always with the spiritual benefit of his listeners his primary concern.  The sharing of the dreams led to a greater horror for sin, better and more frequent Confessions, and more frequent Communion.  He referred to the dreams as "The Devil's Bankruptcy."  3

     In the second part of the dream involving the snake and the Rosary, Fr. Bosco turned around as he was talking to the stranger about the symbolism of the snake and the rope. After the snake had torn itself to pieces, the flesh of the snake was scattered on the ground, and Fr. Bosco saw boys picking up pieces of snake meat and eating them.  As soon as they swallowed some of the snake, they crumpled to the ground, their bodies swelled, and then they turned as hard as stone.

     To Fr. Bosco's horror, more and more boys kept eating the meat!

     Fr. Bosco shouted at them and tried to physically restrain them from eating the meat, but he was unable to stop them.  Each time a boy fell to the ground, another precious boy took his place.  Fr. Bosco called to some clerics to come help him stop the boys from eating the snake meat, but some of them began to eat it, too!  They fell to the ground as well.

     Fr. Bosco recalled that he was nearly out of his mind at seeing so many of his boys lying in that terrible state.  He asked the stranger why the boys ate the meat when they knew it would kill them.

     "Because 'the sensual man does not perceive the things that are of God'  That's why!" was his reply.  3
 
     Fr. Bosco asked if there was some way to save the boys.

    "Yes," he was told.  "There is a way to save them."

     "Anvil and hammer."

     Anvil and hammer, to put the boys back in shape.  The stranger explained that the anvil and hammer are symbols for Holy Communion and Confession.  He was clear:  "These are the remedies you must use."
  
     So Fr. Bosco "went to work" and found the prescribed treatment was very effective.  Although most of the boys who ate the snake meat were restored to life and recovered, there were a few that did not. 

     Why?  Because they made bad confessions. 

     At the end of the story, an historian explained that the boys' disobedience, collapsing, swelling up, and the hardening of their bodies signified pride, obstinacy, and love of sin.

     Further, "The prayers and sacrifices of the just must first ask that God's grace warm hardened hearts and soften them, so that the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist may exercise their divine efficacy...thus, the hammer's blows and the anvil's support bring about the cure of an ulcer-ridden but now docile heart.  As the sparks fly, the heart is reconditioned."3

Discover or Rediscover the Sacrament of Christ’s Peace

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is absolutely one of the most powerful weapons we have to fight the devil.  If you make frequent and devout confessions, you will avail yourself of the means to easily defeat the devil. 

A four minute video about the Sacrament of God's Mercy that may change the way you view this vital sacrament:

More on the Power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: "The Two Doors" 

Suddenly, I had the power to fight back against the demon!  Discover or rediscover the power to overcome the forces of evil. 

       This experience occurred about two years ago, shortly after the Lord had summoned my family to our new parish, Ss. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Catholic Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA. The Lord had been gently encouraging me to complete the transition, because we were still going to a different parish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

       God understood that I was still hesitant to make the change, one more thing to do at a time when I was incredibly challenged by so many things.  Nevertheless, He was persistent that the transition be made. Why?  Because we both knew that I was not making spiritual progress where my family had been going, and we needed to make spiritual progress so we could fight the devil AND WIN. 

   One Saturday afternoon, the good Lord orchestrated the events to play out in such a way that we ended up at our new parish for the Sacrament of Christ's Peace just before the Holy Tridentine Mass that night.  We rejoiced that the transition to our new parish had finally been completed. 

    One of the first times we went to Confession there, I walked  from the chapel into the confessional and found it strange that the door was very difficult to close. It was more than odd, even.  It felt significant that the door was so difficult to close.  In order to shut it, I had to push against it using the weight of my body.   

     After making my Confession, I prayed in the chapel while my daughter went in and made her Confession.  When she was finished, she knelt down by my side, looked up at me, and surprised me when she whispered that the confessional door had been very hard to shut.  I agreed, and then we went into the church to celebrate the Tridentine Holy Mass. I didn’t think any more of it and wouldn’t have, either, except for what happened that night.

     Our adversary presented himself as a dark and very frightening animal.  He appeared incredibly strong, and was absolutely furious.  He tried with all his might to attack me. The wind was blowing, and things were swirling through the air, making the scene incredibly noisy and chaotic.  I was frightened beyond description. 

     I knew that I needed God's help, but I was so afraid, I could not even think of what to say. I began shouting above the incredible noise, and pleaded to God, Jesus, Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph to intercede for me, and for Jesus to cover the entire situation with His Precious Blood.  

I was amazed, because although the words were coming from me, I was too scared out of my wits to think of anything to say. The words spilling out were the right words!  

The beast became even angrier, and shouted with malice, “That holy face!” 

Then, he retreated.

Suddenly, I had the power to fight back against the demon.  Somehow, that hateful beast ended up behind a door and to save myself, I had to get it shut. As soon as I knew what had to be done, I rushed to the door and pushed against it with all my might.  I had to use the weight of my body because the devil fought with all his might to keep the door open.  After a bitter struggle, I finally forced that door shut and was no longer at the unmercy of the devil.  

For the first time ever during the devil's assaults at night, I had the power to fight the devil AND WIN.    

The next morning upon waking, I felt very peaceful and prayerful.  While I prayed, the Lord  brought up what had happened during the night in the battle to overcome evil.  In order to save myself from the devil's attack, I had to fight hard to get the devil behind the door.  

Then I was reminded of the confessional door that had been so hard to shut, and was given the understanding at that moment that the two doors are one and the same.

Conclusion

One final thought:  Don't forget to integrate sacramentals into your battle plan.  Develop a strong prayer life. The importance of spending time with God in prayer cannot be stressed enough. The use of Holy Water and Blessed Salt are also efficacious in protecting you, your family, and also your community (when sprinkled around town).  Get a St. Benedict Cross, have it blessed, and wear it.

It is important to remember that God does allow us to be engaged in battle at times and in various ways, always with good reason.  A great prayer to memorize and say all throughout life is "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in You!"  or more briefly, "Jesus, I trust in You!" 

One final story:  The following event happened on October 1, 2012, the Feast day of my patron saint, St. Therese of Lisieux.  

The story is presented in conclusion to prove to you the undeniable power of the graces to overcome evil that are obtained from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and also to remind you of the importance of being obedient to your confessor.

The good Lord had for the most part kept the devil's harassment to a minimum for three weeks prior,  because my physical suffering had been severe.   

The night/early morning of October 1st, the devil was set free and tried with all his might to get me to give up the work of my apostolate.    

While I was trying to sleep the devil, freed from his shackles, came at me very hard with all sorts of temptations and vulgarities.  The battle was very intense and very ugly.  I fought and fought with all my might to resist.  

Then, all of a sudden, the Lord sent someone to help me and together, we were easily victorious over the demon by the power of almighty God.

In the morning as I struggled to get up and get going, the events replayed in my head and I tried to remember who came to help me fight the demon.  

Was it Fr. Hardon?  No. Was it St. Therese?  Nope.  Blessed Mother?  No.  

And then I remembered!  It was my confessor.  

 

A closing prayer by Servant of God, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

Lord Jesus,

I know I have a fallen human nature that must be constantly be controlled, if I am to serve you as I should and if I am even to save my soul.  Help me to be honest with You, and honest with myself,  in recognizing what are my predominant weaknesses, and what sins I am most prone to commit.  Have mercy on me, Lord, for the many times I have offended you in the past. But Lord, especially help me for the future.   That I may see, see myself as you see me, see my passions of the flesh and passions of the spirit, that I, that I must control.  See how best I can master myself, in order to be your faithful servant.  Lord, that I may see, see how I may grow in sanctity because I practice grateful generosity in return for the mercy you have shown me until now, and will continue to show me, a sinner, as I enter, dear Lord, I beg, as I enter, a heavenly eternity.  Amen.

Thank you, Father Hardon!  To learn more about spiritual warfare from Father's phenomenal material on the subject, please visit his Demonology Index.  

Remember, what you don't know CAN hurt you. 

The response to Part I has been very favorable and encouraging, so there will be a Part III.  It will focus on making good confessions.  

It will also focus on how making good confessions enables us to fight the devil AND WIN as we grow closer to God by leaps and bounds through this astounding "Sacrament of Divine Intimacy."  

"Fight!"  FIGHT, AND WIN. God is at work in you!! 

Part III: Suggestions for Making Your Confessions More Powerful, Intimate, and Meaningful .

Part IV: The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Penance, Conversion, Forgiveness, Divine Intimacy, Christ's Peace, Healing, Humility, and Catholic Courage

© Joseph Karl Publishing

_________________
Sources:

1. From The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, Compiled and Edited by Fr. J. Bacchiarello, S.D.B., Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco (Rockford, IL:  Tan Books And Publishers, Inc., 1996), p. 108.

2. From The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, Compiled and Edited by Fr. J. Bacchiarello, S.D.B., Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco (Rockford, IL:  Tan Books And Publishers, Inc., 1996), p. xii.

3.  From The Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, Compiled and Edited by Fr. J. Bacchiarello, S.D.B., Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco (Rockford, IL:  Tan Books And Publishers, Inc., 1996), p. 112.