Highway to the Danger Zone

Kenny Loggins said it best...

Actually, I'm sure he didn't. Sorry, Kenny. It was just the first thing that popped into my head when I thought "danger!" So let's move on.

It's been on my mind so much recently, and I've been meaning to write about it somewhere. Maybe I already have, I don't really remember. But here goes.

I think Satan's greatest weapon in his arsenal is the trick he plays to make us believe that things that are dangerous for our spirituality are completely harmless.

Think about it -in a war, the enemy doesn't necessarily want to be standing in plain sight waiting for their target, they hide and make us think we're alone when we're actually surrounded. They plant mines in the middle of the desert, for unsuspecting soldiers to drive through. They may even hide bombs in the toys of children like the Soviets did in Afghanistan.

I remember speaking to a Confirmation class about spiritual warfare, and mentioning the dangers of the Ouiji board. A girl asked how a Ouiji board could pose any threat to us when Target sells them in the game section -and they are pink!

That's how we're most vulnerable. Leading exorcists will tell you that the greatest misconception in the Catholic Church today is that evil isn't real. That Satan is just a symbol. That the demons of scripture don't exist anymore, and couldn't possibly effect a Cristian in modern times.

In fact, many well meaning Christians look at a belief in demons as an archaic superstition -when in fact, not acknowledging the existence of true evil is not only theologically incorrect, but dangerous. It leaves us truly exposed, defenses down...and isn't that exactly where the adversary wants us?

I guess since my time at Franciscan University, joining my household and pledging to fight the good fight of faith, I have become a lot more aware of how unaware others are. They forget or choose not to believe that demons are fallen angel; they are like the angels that protect us and guide us, only inverted and perverse. They have the same hierarchy and power, they have more knowledge than we do, while our guardian angels intervene in our daily lives in a positive and holy way, we cannot be blissfully ignorant of the fact that demons too can affect us. And if we give them even an inch, they'll become a ruler... (bam! i saw than pun on a marquee once)

We can't just choose to ignore evil influences in our world. More so, we cannot let the lies of the world convince us that spiritual dangers are mere entertainment and games. That's the trap set for us. Satan hates those who love Christ, but he finds an easy target in those who don't know or recognize his power. Palm readers, wizards, Ouiji boards...it may sound strange to some readers when I refer to them as dangerous, but others know too well the threat they pose to our spiritual well being.

This is a topic I'll probably write about a lot. Just to let you know.


Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.