We read in 1 Peter 5 - 8:9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Our enemy prowls around like a lion watching for someone who is weak and vulnerable so that he may snatch them from the hands of the Father. Satan will use many cunning methods to lure people away from the faith, he uses those in the media to communicate a message of lust, homosexuality, drunkenness, slander, revenge and other vices that are being soaked up in the minds of the masses. There are far more conspicuous methods that satan can, will and does use to prevent a Christian from receiving a crown of glory, i.e. Present other religions to you that seem more appropriate to your lifestyle, challenge the existence of Jesus or claim that the historical Jesus is far different to the Jesus we read of in our faith, he also presents atheism as a viable alternative to Christianity and it is quite saddening to witness such an apostasy in this day and age. We read in 2nd Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
People by their own willingness and desires have been blinded by satan to the point where they are literally dead men walking the earth, we as Christians must pray earnestly for the Lord to shine His brilliant light upon them.
Satan's craftiness can only be combated by Christ who, by us partaking in His body and blood, abides in us and we in Him, we read in Ephesians 6 - 7:18 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
We must be prepared for war on a daily basis, how many times do we experience an onslaught from the enemy? If we do not shield ourselves with faith then we will be knocked about and in time we may fall, let it not be my brothers and sisters, let us all stand firm in the faith of Christ and rebuke the enemy in the name of our Lord Jesus.
Our Lord and Savior also states in Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
By praying, watching and being alert we as Christians resist the devil and therefore he will flee, we are in a war and the enemy is unrelenting! Pray, fast, give alms and partake in the Sacraments so that we can not only defend ourselves, but so that we can attack him through Christ who strengthens us.
Amen
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