Resist Your Demons Like A Devout Catholic

Many of us experience stress. There is no doubt about it. Life can be burdensome and heavy with responsibility, worry, and apprehension. Unfortunately, this is precisely when demons are primed to attack. Luckily, Catholics are uniquely positioned to fight back.

The Catholic Church teaches that demons are spiritual beings—fallen angels who rebelled against God. Demons, ruled by pride and envy, reject God, and follow Satan, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Although demons have limited power and are obviously unequal to God, they can enter our lives during our most difficult moments.

Demons often assault us during times of loneliness, illness, financial strain, grief, or personal failure. Their presence is not always obvious. Demons are subtle. They whisper lies of despair, exploit vulnerabilities, tempt us to sin, and fuel anger and resentment. They make us believe God has abandoned us (he hasn’t and never will).

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Spiritual warfare has always been with us. Christ himself confronted Satan in the desert and faced temptation. Satan and his demonic followers seek to detach us from God. Separation is their ultimate goal.

St. Paul tells us that “we are not contending against the flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Sometimes in life, we feel the weight of this darkness and languish in its hopelessness.

The good news is that Catholics are prepared to resist and fight back. “Therefore, take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Let us begin with prayer. It is our most powerful weapon. The prayer to St. Michael the Archangel is especially effective. “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.”

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Grab your rosary and ask for the intercession of Mary, the Queen of Heaven, who crushes the serpent’s head. Daily prayer repels demons and resists their oppression during our most trying times.

The foundation of Catholic life is rooted in the Sacraments. The Sacraments are particularly significant because they offer sanctifying grace from God. Confession restores grace and repels demonic influence. Demons nudge us into sin and amplify our weaknesses. Sin in turn invites demons into our lives. This creates a vicious downward spiral into darkness. Confess your sins. Break the demonic hold over your life.

The Holy Eucharist nourishes the soul and fortifies it against demonic temptation. It brings us closer to Christ and reminds us of his victory over death and evil.

We should remember that humility is key in our struggle against demonic influence. Submit to God, embrace virtue, and your demons will flee. Demons seek to draw our souls away from God. Don’t let them. Catholics will emerge victorious if we embrace the tools and armor offered by God.

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