The Battle Against Evil

by Charla Misse

As Christians are under incessant spiritual attack, Our Lord graciously provides us with strategies for protection against the foe and in petition for heavenly aid. In imitation of a multitude of saints, we train our hearts to be in constant prayer and exercise our minds to maintain vigilance. Specifically, Ephesians 6:10-17 commands us to prepare for spiritual battle by donning the full Armor of God:

“Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.

Put on the Armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.

For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.

Therefore, put on the Armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.

So, stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,

and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.

In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Of the six items identified as the Armor of God, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is the only item that can slay the enemy. Inspired by this, I’ve begun research to hone my arsenal.

When faced with a spiritual attack, one Catholic priest says that he simply calls out “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). A friend of mine announces “No weapon fashioned against me shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). My son favors “Arise O’ Lord and let thy enemies be scattered and let them that hate thee flee from before thy face” (Psalm 68:1). A recent Responsorial Psalm encouraged me, “The Lord is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27:1).

I’ve witnessed the sword of the Spirit diffuse a situation and deliver me from evil. The Word of God has rescued me. I’d love to know the “swords” that some of you have at the ready.

May the Lord bless and protect us as we battle against evil.

Charla Misse, a native of New Orleans, supports various charitable organizations, sits on the finance committee for St. Dominic Church and is a Boy Scouts of America den leader and religious emblems coordinator. She loves to laugh with her family, bake for her loved ones, exercise outdoors, visit the adoration chapel and pick her son up from school.