Earlier today while celebrating daily Mass, Pope Francis warned about the relentless pursuit of the devil to dull our spiritual senses and lure us into disbelieving the real existence and constant scheming of devils.
The masterful 20th century Christian apologist C.S. Lewis explained demonic tactics in this way: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, an to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors…(“Preface”, The Screwtape Letters).
In our era, it alarmingly appears as though the Enemy has made inroads in seeking to deceive people that devils do not not exist, that there is no Hell, that people cannot go to Hell and that no one is in Hell.
As always, we take our cue from Chris t and the clear teachings of His Church. The devil exists and hell is real. In the Gospels, devils recognize the Lord Jesus and fear His power. Fallen angels hate us with a malice that defies our imaginations and tirelessly try to lure us from God and the safety of divine grace.
Christian hope is steadfast and reliable for it rests in Jesus Christ, whose love conquers all things – that includes every temptation and manifestation of evil, even death itself (cf. Romans 8). Additionally, the Holy Spirit inspires Saint Paul to proclaim that, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
