The Devil: Does He Exist? And What Does He Do?

By: Father Delaporte

"Now, dear readers, we must conclude. The misfortune of most men is that they know not how to conclude. They hear a discourse, they read a book, and go to their business, or their pleasures without having asked themselves: 'What is the result of this is relation to my personal conduct?'" With these words in mind, we can begin a study of The Enemy, the Devil, and more importantly how to combat him. Did we not promise to renounce Satan and all of his works and pomps at our Baptism? "The question of the Devil is not one of mere curiosity. The question is of a living enemy, powerful, present, dangerous, furious. You are reminded that he has caused the ruin of a multitude of your fellow-beings. You are warned, in particular, to avoid dark associations, inspired by him, mysterious operations. ..." Saint Paul says our wrestling is against principalities and powers. The subject of the Devil is not one of mere curiosity, but an extremely serious issue. It is indeed a Heaven or Hell question. We are given the reason we need to study our adversary, the Devil: "...Ignorance is not excusable, when instruction is to be had; and heedlessness is very unreasonable, when there is question of your immortal soul." Indeed ignorance of the Faith is cited by the holy Cure of Ars, Saint John Vianney as a serious problem and why most Catholics are damned. Reading good books is essential to overcome this ignorance. We are given some excellent advice on how to fight our adversary: "When flight is impossible, fight. Avoid more carefully even those trivial faults which make the Devil bolder and stronger against you; avoid, especially, mortal sin, which would deliver your soul to him. Never sleep, if you possibly can, in the captivity of Satan. Be on your guard against the love of riches, which fills his nets; the love of pleasure, which leads to idolatry; and pride, the father of all errors. ... Watch, pray. Soon you shall repose in the triumphant peace of heaven." This book sites Sacred Scripture: "And the Lord God said to the serpent: Because thou hast done this thing, thou art cursed among all cattle, and beasts of the earth. Upon thy breast shalt thou go, and earth shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she (Mary) shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. (Genesis 3:14-15)" Let us never forget Mary's role in our fight against the Devil. Indeed, in the end of this fight her Immaculate Heart will triumph.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1482531496
• ISBN13: 9781482531497
• Release Date: February 2013
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 202 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"