Truth about the Devil

By Fr Dominic Szymanski Ofm

The booklet The Truth About the Devil by Fr. Dominic Szymanski, O.F.M., Conv. is a classic source of information about the devil and exorcism. An American priest exorcist has told us it is the best source he has read on the subject. The influence of evil spirits in human affairs is far greater than most men are willing to admit. Although God has created all things to His own glory, the "Evil One" exerts all his tremendous powers to frustrate this plan of God by claiming creatures for himself. The almighty God does not stop the "Evil One" any more than He stops a human being from committing murder or any other sin. God triumphs over the malice of the devil by turning evil into good. Adam and Eve sinned in Paradise through the influence of Satan. God did not prevent this sin, but provided a Redeemer who assumed human nature and elevated it above the Angelic Choirs - so much so that the Angels adore the Humanity of Christ. Indeed, God turned this great evil into a greater good. "Ubi abundavit delictum, superabundavit gratia." (Rom. V. 20 "And where sin abounded, grace did more abound.") The Holy Scriptures clearly depict this influence of the Spirit of Darkness in the beginning of the human race. This same influence of evil intervenes in the life of every human being. God created man to His own image, and claims as His own all who bear this stamp of God's likeness. The devil strives to destroy this "likeness to God" in the human soul by inducing man to sin, and thereby substituting his own likeness. God does not prevent this activity any more than He prevented the fall of Adam. God rules every soul by love; the devil seeks to rule by hate, destruction of grace, and frustration of God's mercy. As God never changes, so also the devil never changes; he always was and always will be the enemy of God, the hater of souls, the father of lies and deceit, and the one through whom death has entered the world. The foregoing is nothing new. No one denies it, but it is also true that few apply it in practical life. As a general rule the sinner will acknowledge the sin, admit his guilt, but will deny all influence of the devil. This denial does not make him more learned; on the contrary, to his own detriment, he fails to understand the entire issue. It would be as though one acknowledged and treated an illness, but neglected to consider the cause of the sickness. In human affairs we both cure the disease and prevent it recurrence. The children of light in their spiritual world should use the same prudence, and both acknowledge sin and recognize its evil instigator. When a sinner at the point of death refuses to be reconciled with God, it is not St. Michael who hardens his heart, but it is the enemy of God and of souls. Exclude the enemy and the hardened sinner will turn to God, with tears and contrition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1511631821
• ISBN13: 9781511631822
• Release Date: April 2015
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 36 Pages
• Weight: 0.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"