Fr. Thomas M. Pastorius
September 20, 2015
Spiritual Ponderings
The Devil’s Ways

There was a large group of people. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side of the group stood Satan. Separating them, running through the group, was a fence.

The scene set, both Jesus and Satan began calling to the people in the group and, one by one - each having made up his or her own mind - each went to either Jesus or Satan. This kept going. Soon enough, Jesus had gathered around him a group of people from the larger crowd, as did Satan.

But one man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and sat on it. Then Jesus and his people left and disappeared. So too did Satan and his people. And the man on the fence sat alone.

As this man sat, Satan came back, looking for something which he appeared to have lost. The man said, "Have you lost something?" Satan looked straight at him and replied, "No, there you are. Come with me."

"But", said the man, "I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor him."

"That's okay," said Satan. "I own the fence."

St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Rules for the Discernment of Spirits uses three powerful images in regards to the devil. I would like to reflect with you now on them.

Rule 12: The enemy acts like a woman, in being weak against vigor and strong of will. Because, as it is the way of the woman when she is quarrelling with some man to lose heart, taking flight when the man shows her much courage: and on the contrary, if the man, losing heart, begins to fly, the wrath, revenge, and ferocity of the woman is very great, and so without bounds; in the same manner, it is the way of the enemy to weaken and lose heart, his temptations taking flight, when the person who is exercising himself in spiritual things opposes a bold front against the temptations of the enemy, doing diametrically the opposite. And on the contrary, if the person who is exercising himself commences to have fear and lose heart in suffering the temptations, there is no beast so wild on the face of the earth as the enemy of human nature in following out his damnable intention with so great malice. – St. Ignatius

Rule 12 (Explained) Remembering that St. Ignatius was a product of his time period, it might be better to think of the enemy as a bully. Often bullies appear scary but when confronted directly back down immediately because they are acting out of fear.

Rule 13: Likewise, he acts as a licentious lover in wanting to be secret and not revealed. For, as the licentious man who, speaking for an evil purpose, solicits a daughter of a good father or a wife of a good husband, wants his words and persuasions to be secret, and the contrary displeases him much, when the daughter reveals to her father or the wife to her husband his licentious words and depraved intention, because he easily gathers that he will not be able to succeed with the undertaking begun: in the same way, when the enemy of human nature brings his wiles and persuasions to the just soul, he wants and desires that they be received and kept in secret; but when one reveals them to his good Confessor or to another spiritual person that knows his deceits and evil ends, it is very grievous to him, because he gathers, from his manifest deceits being discovered, that he will not be able to succeed with his wickedness begun. – St. Ignatius of Loyola

Rule 13 (Explained) There is often a feeling of a need to be secretive with the devil’s temptations as if one needs to be sneaky and not get caught because others would not approve of the actions he is suggesting morally and/or this action he is proposing will produce shame when completed. The best way one can fight this is to be forthright and honest with a trusted individual (a spiritual director or counselor) or a trusted group of individuals (a support group or accountability group.

Rule 14 Likewise, he behaves as a chief bent on conquering and robbing what he desires: for, as a captain and chief of the army, pitching his camp, and looking at the forces or defenses of a stronghold, attacks it on the weakest side, in like manner the enemy of human nature, roaming about, looks in turn at all our virtues, theological, cardinal and moral; and where he finds us weakest and most in need for our eternal salvation, there he attacks us and aims at taking us. – St. Ignatius of Loyola

Rule 14 (Explained) The devil in his temptations does not attack us where we are strong but instead he attacks us and temps us at our weakest point as a good military leader would. It is therefore important for us to be honest with ourselves and take a personal invitatory (examination of conscience) to see where we are weak (where we are constantly giving into the devil’s temptations). We should then work to strengthen those areas of our life but also being aware at this time that the devil will then begin looking for our next weakest spot.

I also encourage you to pray the prayer of St. Michael.
Saint Michael the Archangel, Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him; we humbly pray; And do thou O Prince of the heavenly host, By the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits Who wander through the world For the ruin of souls. Amen