On Angels, Demons, and the Accuser
The cleverest ruse of the devil is to convince you he doesn’t exist!
Charles Baudelaire, “The Generous Gambler”
We grew up just down the street from the city zoo, which had on display a family of gibbons, small apes whose morning cries – a quickening series of “whoops” steadily increasing in octave – were often audible through our open windows. Less commonly we also heard the deep and frightening roar of a lion from the big cat enclosures.
Angels
The word “angel” comes from New Testament Greek meaning “messenger.” Angels are purely spiritual and immortal creatures with intelligence and will who serve God and hearken to his Word. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #329-330).
The most beautiful of the angels was Lucifer, “the luminous one.” Revelation 12:4-10 reveals that Lucifer – there called “Satan” (from the Hebrew meaning “adversary”) and “the devil” (from the Greek diabolos, meaning “accuser, or slanderer”) – rebelled against God. He was cast down to earth with one third of the angels, all now demonic rather than angelic beings.
The Father of Lies
Do you reject Satan? And all his works? And all his empty promises?
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
In John 8:44, Jesus calls Satan, “A murderer from the beginning” and “a liar and the father of lies.” The very first question in the Bible is asked by Satan: “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1) He immediately contradicts God’s Word, saying that by disobeying we can “become like God,” determining for ourselves what is right and what is wrong. God of course WANTS us to be like Him, but not as defined by the accuser. The sole job of the devil and his demons is to tempt us and, ultimately, to “kill and destroy” (John 10:10). How can we defend ourselves against these powerful spiritual beings?
A Fatal Mauling
Hearing a roaring lion from the safety of our home was only briefly frightening, as it presented no actual threat to us. On Christmas Day in 2007, however, a female Siberian tiger leaped its enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo and killed one teenager, injuring two others. How did this happen? A witness and a later investigation claimed the teens were provoking the big cat, leaning over the fence, throwing objects into its pen, and verbally taunting her.
The Armor of God
The Apostle Peter warns, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour…. Resist him, firm in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8,9) Peter tells us to “Be sober” and to “Cast your anxieties” on God. James 4:7 tells us to “Resist the devil and he will flee from you,” with the caveat that we must be humbly submitting ourselves to God’s will. The Apostle Paul tells us to “Be strong in the Lord. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
Hanging Around the Enclosure
But what does that mean to us practically? I awoke in the middle of night a few years ago with what felt like a heavy weight on my chest. I felt led to recite the 23rd Psalm (“The Lord is my Shepherd…”) and the weight slowly disappeared. Was this a spiritual attack? I feel like it was, but regardless an action as simple as speaking the name of “Jesus,” reciting scripture, or making the sign of the cross humbly and prayerfully can be a powerful response. If we are Christians – striving to live righteous lives, spending time in prayer, in worship, in the Word, and being strengthened through the Sacraments – we are “little Christs,” sharing in His Divine nature. Of COURSE the demons should fear us! However, when our sinful lifestyle takes us into the lion’s den, so to speak, we are in grave danger. Moreover, when we experiment with the occult (tarot cards, Ouija boards, seances, and the like), we are effectively hanging around the edge of the enclosure and inviting a response.
The One Within You is Greater
If we “live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8), the roaring lion is no threat to us. This does not mean we will not have to face spiritual interference and temptations. On the contrary, the more effective we are, the more likely we will find ourselves confronting demonic attacks. Jesus himself was tempted by the devil, after all. As Christians, though, we need not be afraid, but endure in trust. “The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). “God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Satan is a liar, and the father of lies. Reject him, all his works, and all his empty promises. Resist him, firm in the faith, and he WILL flee from you.
St. 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 power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Feature image courtesy of Michael Siebert from Pixabay
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