LOS ENEMIGOS DEL ALMA: MUNDO, DEMONIO Y CARNE 2 El Demonio. PALESTRA ASCETiCA para hombres. NOSOTROS

THE ENEMIES OF THE SOUL: WORLD, DEVIL, AND FLESH. 1 The Devil. ASCETIC LECTURE for men. US. Father Antonio Gómez Mir Here we take for granted everything that dogmatic theology teaches about the existence of demons, their nature, and the reasons for their enmity toward us.*** We are going to focus solely on the diabolical action on souls. And we are going to limit ourselves to its ordinary action: temptation. According to the Angelic Doctor, the devil's proper function is to tempt. However, he immediately adds that not all the temptations that man suffers come from the devil. However, it is true that many do, driven by his envy of man and his pride against God. "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to take your stand against the wiles of the devil. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, against the evil spirits in the air" (Eph 6:11-12). And Saint Peter compares the devil to a furious lion that prowls around us, wanting to devour us (1 Pet 5:8). There is no unequivocal sign to distinguish when temptation comes from the devil or from other causes. However, when temptation is sudden, violent, and persistent; when no proximate or remote cause has arisen that could produce it; when it causes deep turmoil in the soul, all this can be seen as an intervention of the devil. God does not tempt anyone by inciting them to evil (James 1:13). But he allows us to be tempted in order to give us an opportunity for greater merits. He will never allow us to be tempted beyond our strength: "God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength, but in the temptation he will make a success so that you will be able to endure it" (1 Cor 10:13). Thank you very much for your interest in our work. If you would like to support us with a "Like," we would be very grateful. Blessings.