#ResistSatan

On social media, we often see a hashtag often associated with the keyword “resist”. The sad reality is most of it is resisting things that are good in society.

As we embark on our Lenten journey, we realize that every Christian on the journey will encounter a common enemy. That enemy is Satan. The gospel account presents the fact that spiritual warfare is present, and we must be ready to combat him and every temptation he wishes to impose on us.

Regardless of what liturgical year cycle of readings, the first Sunday of Lent shares the account of Jesus in the desert 40 days prior to beginning his public ministry. Jesus fasted, prayed, and gave alms. Likewise, we too will be doing the same, no matter how well our journey goes or has gone. The late Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that the temptation of Jesus in the desert was “a descent of the perils of mankind”. Three things from the gospel have stood out as our Lenten journey is in full swing.

First, Satan wants to fill us with the lies that we are not good enough. He even asked if we really are God’s children. He will deceive us that we are not loved by him. He’s wrong. We know that God loves. All we have to look for is the crucifix as he stretched out his arms. That is how much he loves each of us.

Second, Satan tempts us to do things that will give us whatever we want in life. He does this through the guise of fame, wealth, power, and many of the vices of the world. Satan thinks that all of these things will satisfy our heart’s desires. Jesus reminds us in the gospel that we don’t live by bread alone but by every word spoken by God.

Third, Satan looks down on the earth and wants us to have everything below. Jesus fixed his gaze on what was above. Our goal in our spiritual life is to aim for what is higher. Far too often, many people have taken the easy path. We must be willing to take the hard path. Yes, the hard path is long, but our aim is heaven. We will endure many sufferings, yet we rejoice that Jesus overcame all the tribulations of our world.

Jesus overcame the bites of the serpent by relying on God’s word. Even St. Chromatius acknowledged this when he combated Satan when he said, “The Lord has shown us how we ought to conquer temptation of this sort, that is, how not to comply with his desire. We should immediately set forth examples for ourselves from the divine law in opposition to the temptation, so that we would always desire to be satiated instead by the food of the divine word, overcoming the hunger of the body and the desires of the flesh.”

St. Paul even acknowledged in his letter to the Romans that he relied on his fidelity to God. We combat Satan by placing our trust in God, not the temptations of the world. Through him, we satisfy our hungry hearts. Through him, we learn the true definition of love. Through him, he shows us the path to eternity.

As we gear up for our first week of Lent, let us strive to defeat Satan. He is the main adversary who doesn’t want us to be saints, but God does. God wants loves us, desires us, and is with us.

Rise up, Christian soldiers. It's time to engage in spiritual warfare. 

#ResistSatan