The Forces of Evil

I can’t tell you how often I hear people admit they do not believe in demons. Many do not believe there are ‘forces out there’ constantly trying to trip us up. The forces of evil are real. They exist, and they have been fighting against the Church since Adam and Eve.

Brethren, we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.

Romans 7:14-8:2

If we refuse to believe that evil exists, then we cannot fight against it. Saint Paul understood this and his letter to the Romans helps us come to terms with it as well. If Saint Paul, the great Saint Paul, can admit that evil works within him, why can’t we?

That is not to say we should allow evil to ‘do its thing’ whenever it pleases. Accepting that evil exists, and the forces of evil are actively fighting against us, is only the first step. The second step is getting ‘right back up’ and fighting back.

The language used by Saint Paul to discuss evil is the same language those who suffer with addiction use to describe their addiction. Drugs, alcohol and many other substances ‘take over control’ and we feel helpless against their power. Sound familiar?

If we use the language of addiction to discuss sin, we gain two in two ways. First, we better understand those who suffer with addiction. Second, we better understand our role in waking up every day reading to fight our addiction. Everyone is addicted to sin.

Every day is a battle against addiction and sin. There will be some days we are victorious and other days not so much. Those who remain ‘clean’ spend every day in battle, never letting their guard down. We can learn from addiction recovery programs. Never give up, even if we fall.

Fighting against sin also requires understanding temptation. In the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” for a reason. We must first learn how we are tempted to sin. Then we must accept we will not always be strong enough to ‘say’ no. We must stay away.

Staying away from temptation might mean making new friends. It might mean changing our routine. It always means being more connected to the Church. Just as those who suffer with addiction need human support, we need the Church to help us fight against sin.

The life of the Church helps us replace temptation with blessings. Through spiritual disciplines, we learn to refocus our soul toward God and away from sin. We learn to recognize the forces of evil, so that we can stay clear of them.

At the very least the Church, through Holy Confession, is a place of forgiveness when we fall flat on our face. We will fall. That much should be taken for granted. If Saint Paul fell to temptation, we will fall to temptation. Jesus Christ is the only perfect One.

As the saying goes. The first step is admitting there is a problem. The second step is recognizing how the forces of evil are working to tempt us to sin. The third step is to fight like your life depends upon it, because it does. Thankfully God is merciful and we have His Church to help.