Inner Struggles

   “Be sober, be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.” (1 Peter 5: 8)

   There was a great battle in heaven.  The Archangel Lucifer, bearer of light, grew prideful and angry with God.  He sought to be like God.  God’s warrior, Michael the Archangel fought the battle, defeated Lucifer and his followers, banishing them from the presence of God.  They have forever since been at war with God in this world.  My soul and yours is the prize to be won.

   And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Gen 1: 31).  All that God created was good, but Satan tempts us to turn it to evil in the way it is used.  Money and wealth are good when used to help others and serve God.  Satan, however, tempts us to use them only for our own benefit and greed.  The heavenly rewards we may have gained by their proper use become steppingstones to hell by their misuse.

   Satan tempts us to pervert the blessings of God.  Lust turns love and respect for others into selfish sexual desire.  Gluttony turns pleasure in God’s gifts to excessiveness.  Pride destroys humility, meekness and love of God and others.  Envy takes enjoyment at others success and makes it resentment.  Wrath ignores love and compassion, seeking only revenge.  Greed belittles the blessings of God, always demanding more.  Sloth kills diligence and perseverance in faith and life, creating apathy instead.

   The battle rages within and will continue until this life is at its’ end.  We have an army of angels to help us in our fight.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are on our side and will carry us through the battle.  With heavenly support we can defeat Satan and win the battle within.

Father, the evil one tempts us in all things.

Give us the strength to reject him.

Send Your angels to guard us.

Help us in our fight against evil.

Amen