Today we are pulling an episode from the archives about spiritual warfare, becuase it's a hugely important topic.

Quite literally, spiritual warfare is a struggle between two kingdoms—a battle between man and that which draws man away from God.

This fighting and resisting evil is a common experience, yet many don’t believe they are at war. Therefore they come unprepared to fight the battle.

We discuss the Church Fathers’ understanding of spiritual warfare, the context behind the Church’s teachings on the subject, and practical ways you can resist evil and equip yourself with the best possible resources.

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Spiritual warfare and evangelization go hand-in-hand. Turns out the devil doesn’t like it when you try to win souls for Christ. Acknowledging the reality of spiritual warfare is an important first step. Once we realize that we’re fighting battles everyday, we can use these principles to guide the way.

Snippet from the Show
“Spiritual warfare is more than a metaphor for the spiritual life, it’s a reality ... We’re all at war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.”

10 Practical Principles of Spiritual Warfare

1. By his passion and death, Christ won a definitive victory over Satan and the kingdom of darkness and any personal victory we have is a participation in the victory Jesus won and gave to his church.
2. The devil and the fallen angels play a mysterious role in the drama of salvation. The battle that they wage against us is a test of God’s elect.
3. While powerful, the devil is only a creature and if we stay close to Jesus Christ and his Church we should not fear the actions of evil.
4. The way we participate in the victory of Jesus Christ is through personal faith, moral living, and prayer.
5. The devil should not be given too much attention but his actions should not be ignored.
6. The Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Michael, and all the saints and angels are our allies in this battle.
7. Any spiritual warfare you conduct for others is first won in the battle for your own heart.
8. Humble submission to God and the Church is a powerful weapon against evil.
9. True holiness as witnessed in the lives of the saints is what destroys the kingdom of darkness.
10. The devil despises: A sure knowledge of the sonship that comes from baptism, knowledge of the abundant mercy of God, authentic Christian community, and a clear knowledge of, and courage to speak out about, what is good and evil.

1 Practical Tip
If you’ve never thought of yourself as a spiritual warrior, take some time to see how you have entered into the spiritual battle.

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