About demons & diabolic forces

Modern people, compared to the bygone days, do not believe demons and diabolic forces. They would consider them as unfounded fears of the past. Some who claim to be psychiatrists would say the demons to be exorcised are within us, perhaps our guilt laden consciences! There are others who encourage and exaggerate belief in such forces to make money or wield power over people; they would claim to drive away such evil forces or control them or even claim to obtain wealth through such forces. Gullible people would sacrifice even their near and dear ones for the sake of obtaining such hidden wealth.

Definitely we all need to be freed from demonic forces and diabolic insinuations which are nothing else but temptations that arise from within us and sometimes make us to suffer terribly. St. Paul, a great saint of the first century, prayed to God that he may be freed from such forces that attacked him: “Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness’” (II Cor 12.7b-9a).

Even Jesus himself was not spared from temptations. Luke the Evangelist as well as Mathew say that he was tempted in three different ways at the end of his prayer and fasting in the desert before the launch of his ministry and Luke cryptically mentions: “When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Lk 4.13). This, of course, shows that Jesus was tempted many other times during his ministry, and not least, at the time of his passion. So it ought not to surprise us that evil spirits do tempt us time, as the Lord has overcome the evil forces. Therefore the power of the evil one is broken and it has only limited power.

A saint has quipped: that the evil spirit is like a firmly chained up dog and it cannot hurt you unless you go close and provoke it needlessly. So instead of wasting your hard earned money on charlatans who may claim to drive the evil forces by incantations and pointless sacrifices, pray to the Lord and he who has conquered death and sin will help you to defeat the evil one. It is very well understood that such an appeal must be whole hearted and full of faith in the power of the Lord. Do not yield yourself to unfounded fears. Even if it be due to psychological factors and not due to any external forces, the Lord who is the healer par excellence would heal you of your infirmity and bring you peace and joy. Learn to trust in him!