DOES THE DEVIL AND EVIL REALLY EXIST

DOES THE DEVIL AND EVIL REALLY EXIST?

Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered

and let them that hate Him

Flee from before His Face.

~Psalm 67 

Si vis pacem, para bellum!

First, it is on purpose that I do not capitalize satan it is not a type O.

Do you ever wonder why so many people don’t believe in the devil anymore? Do you ever wonder or even care?

The devil is very crafty, cunning, cowardly. Yes, you read that correctly, cowardly. How or why can I say this, because it is the truth. Is the devil visible? We can say yes in a way; how did he appear to Eve in the Garden of Eden? He was visible in the disguise of a serpent, he is also made visible in evil actions of people, because they with their free will do his bidding.

What do I mean by this? Let’s start with Cane and Able from Genesis. What did Cane do and why? Cane killed his brother Able. Who do you think was behind that evil? Yes, Cane had free will but who do you think did the prompting/tempting of that evil? Those voices which speak to us can either be good or bad. Who tries to work always against good? Yes, that would be the devil and his minions, the demons or fallen angels. 

Yes, Virginia the devil and demons do exist and they hate you and any good there is in you. They also hate that you have free will, because they do not. They hate that we can change our minds. We humans are made in the “image and likeness of God” a soul with a physical body and free will, for this reason we are able to merit. They hate that we have Priests who can absolve us of our sin by the Sacrament of Confession. This Sacrament brings our hearts and minds back to God, which is called sanctifying grace. Point blank they hate any good that is in us, period.

The devil and the fallen angels were given one choice at the beinning of time to either serve or not (this is the only time they had the "free will" to choose).

It is believed that when God separated the light from the dark this was when the good and bad angels were divided. In Genesis 1:4"And God saw the light that it was good: and He divided the light from the darkness," St. Augustine supposes the fall and punishment of the apostate angels are here insinuated. (L.imp. de Gen.) Haydock Douay Rheims Bible Commentary.

 

Numerous times in the Bible we hear about the devil, demons and evil that they cause “but” they are only permitted to do what God permits them, hence they always have to be obedient to God, this also includes satan.

Does the devil live in the light? The light being the truth? Does he make his deeds known or are they lurking in the dark? More than anything satan uses pride, be aware and pray, pray and pray for humility there is a reason that pride is the first of the Seven Deadly sins.

1 Peter 5:8-11 Be sober, and watch: because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist ye, strong in faith; knowing that the same affliction befalleth your brethren who are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory, in Christ Jesus, when you have suffered a little, will himself perfect, and confirm, and establish you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

On a continual basis I am told by people that I place too much emphasis on the devil and the havoc he causes us humans, but I believe many do not give him enough credit for the evil he causes. I know that God is Almighty and He alone is in total control and that the devil is never allowed to tempt us beyond our strength. “This means that we always have enough grace to overcome the devil but only if we have prayed.”~ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. “Without prayer we will lose the divine life we possess.”

Affirm Satan’s existence. Admit his actuality.
Be vigilant, stand firm strong in faith.
God is all-powerful and will prevail.
Know your own weakness but be confident in God’s power.
Pray with hope and certainty that He will protect you.
His “Angels will have charge over you and will keep you in all your ways” – if you beseech their care.

~ The Catholic Catechism, partial source John A. Hardon, S.J.

May God bless and Our Lady, St. Michael and St. Raphael guide and protect us in the days ahead!

I offer all I do to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary any errors are mine. 

In the seventh paragraph I was unable to change the spacing, not sure why but I believe God wanted it that way. May God be always praised, blessed, adored, known and loved. Amen!