THE ART OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE (Part 1)

Posted by Bruce Williams

Ephesians 6:12-16

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the directors of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places.13 Because of this, take up the armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand the evil day and remain perfect in all things.14 Therefore, stand firm, having been girded about your waist with truth, and having been clothed with the breastplate of justice,15 and having feet which have been shod by the preparation of the Gospel of peace.16 In all things, take up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.

The Armor of God shields us from the "poison" of the "fiery darts". The closer we become to saints, the more frequent and vile the darts become. 

Padre Pio had five rules for spiritual growth: weekly confession, daily Communion, spiritual reading, meditation and examination of conscience. 

Satan and his legion of demons have one goal, "roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls". Everyone is in a constant spiritual battle with our "fallen" flesh due to the original sin of Adam & Eve.

In our struggle to overcome our "fallen" nature, Christ gave the Apostles the Seven Sacraments and the graces that flow from each sacrament to assist us in our "journey" through life, that we may die in a "STATE of Grace", thereby entering in to the eternal bliss of Heaven. But in His infinite Love and Mercy God gave us "free will", that we may return His Love through obedience to His WORD. 

This state of grace elevates our prayers and strengthens the Armor of God as we defend the faith and the church. 

Mary, the Queen of Heaven, gave us a powerful spiritual weapon, the ROSARY. The rosary given to the Church by St. Dominic, who had received it from the Blessed Virgin as a means of converting the Albigensians and other sinners.

Next: Part 2  Devotions