Spiritual Battle Against Spirits in The Air. Essay

But that is what we are warned the Devil will do: in order to disguise himself as an angel of light, he will clothe his naked villany with a piece of scripture. Catholics and Protestants both agreed that the mere repetition of Christian doctrine proved nothing. Both warned that we must be alert to the speaker’s ultimate purpose.

The author helps us to understand exactly who our enemy is and who our enemy is not. Our enemy is not flesh and blood but, “principalities, and spiritual wickedness in high places”. People are often used by demonic spirits to act in adverse ways. We must never target people as our foes. The enemy would love to have us overlook him and turn on one another. Our brothers and sisters are not who we should fight. It is the spirit behind them using them to distract us into doing something we will later regret.

However, since God is all good and cannot create anything that is evil, the devil cannot use God’s creations without first twisting them to fit his evil plans. The devil is a skillful perverter and often uses holy images or thoughts to lead people to sin. In Chapter 2, while in church, Wormwood presents to his patient the fact that the people around him are neighbors whom he has been trying to avoid.[ii] Soon, the man becomes annoyed with his fellow churchgoers, focusing on how their faults bother him instead of paying attention to the liturgy.[iii] While attending Church is a holy and commendable action, the devil encourages his patient, who is not wholly satisfied with his present church, to visit several churches and become a “church connoisseur.”[iv] Instead of a place of worship, the church becomes akin to a club, each with different opinions and factions. In Chapter 3, Screwtape suggests using prayer as a way to tempt Wormwood’s patient. Instead of praying for the well-being of his mother, Wormwood tempts him to pray for her soul, pinpointing her faults that irritate him, never once stopping to consider if he himself exhibits the same faults.[v] While friends can lead us closer to God, the devil can take advantage of our need for companions by introducing us to corrupt peers who lead us away from God. While Screwtape, in Chapter 11, states that he cannot stand joy

The story of Salvation ends with a war in heaven. The man and his angles fought against the serpent, and the serpent and his demons fought back at the man and the woman but the serpent was not strong enough to fight against them all, he and his demons, all lost their place in Heaven.

Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

“ Will convert more; with this advantage then/ To union, and firm faith, and firm accord,/ More than can be in heaven (35-37.)” Throughout Book II, Satan delivers words of wisdom. By a character displaying

While reflecting on the assigned reading and preparing to summarize my thoughts I couldn’t help but reflect on the scriptural passage found in 1 Peter 5:8-9 which says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (KJV). For me this passage of scripture represented the impetus behind the author’s storyline.

1. According to Cotton Mather, the plan of the devil was “To Destroy the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, in these parts of the World…” In addition, the devil would ‘Torment’ his victims by being “Terribly scratched and bitten.” Therefore, the marks would be visible, however, there were invisible ‘furies’ that would “Stick pins into the Bodies of the Afflicted.” Matter emphasis that tempted are the victims of these Furies. While in the end, are so tempted to sign the “Devils Laws.”

When Satan tried to tempt Jesus with all the kingdoms of this earth and their glory, Jesus used the sword of the word,

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:8-11

Violence is not new. It starts with Abel and Cain. In time, it may change form, yet is not likely to end until the apocalypse. One’s perception of a religion may exacerbate his or her behavior towards others. However, the world will run out of its time, sooner or later, and both Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic faiths have definitions of the end. Violent in nature, human beings load their arms due to upcoming war, waged for salvation by the ones who are chosen by God to walk on the true path. Mark Juergensmeyer defines this divine struggle as “cosmic war” and mentions its relation to “metaphysical conflicts between good and evil.” Good and evil are also subject to change depending on who describes them.

“‘Faith! Faith!’ cried the husband. ‘Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked One!’” (Hawthorne 1297) These were the words expressed by Young Goodman Brown during the evil baptisms. Whether Goodman Brown was speaking to himself or his pleasant wife Faith, it is easily seen that there is a definite need of Faith and God to be saved from the “Wicked One”.

Although Satan and his followers have been cast out of Heaven, Satan still maintains hope and courage. He states,

“If the devil were doing this to delude me and drag me down to hell, he would make use of means which so completely defeated their own ends by taking away my vices…making me virtuous and strong; for it was quite clear to me that these experiences had immediately made me a different person,” (St. Teresa 43).

powerful speeches. In Book II, he gives a long yet powerful speech describing his plan to ultimately defeat God. Two of his followers, Belial and Moloch, are debating whether or not they should try to go to was against God or not. Satan then, rather charismatically, convinces them of a foolproof strategy. He has learned of God's plan to create Earth and the human race. Satan says that the best way to defeat God is to destroy this. Satan is in a sense preaching to the “underdog,” convincing his followers that they have a chance to defeat God: “To suffer, as to do,