Do you reject Satan, the author and prince of sin?

Last updated on: March 12, 2012 at 9:21 am by Father Pablo Migone

Do you reject Satan, the author and prince of sin? 2012-03-12T09:21:00-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Following our meditations on the baptismal promises we will renew on Easter, today we reach the third question: Do you reject Satan, the author and prince of sin?

In this promise we reject Satan by name. Satan, a living being who is the author and prince of all sin. Knowing that the primary effect of sin is death, something so terrible and undesirable, I can’t begin to imagine how terrible its author, its source, must be.

This living being we call Satan has willingly chosen to disobey God and his only desire is to make other beings turn away from God. If Satan had a motto, it would be “misery loves company.” He is miserable after turning away from God and wants all other beings to do the same. His name literally means “accuser” since he accuses us of our sins so we may despair over them, rather than to turn to God’s infinite mercy.

Who is Satan and where does he get his power?

The book of Revelation speaks of Satan as the ancient serpent, the one who deceived the whole world, the one who was cast out of heaven with his angels by the mighty archangel Michael.

He is a highly intelligent being, knowledgeable and even capable of quoting Sacred Scripture to teach erroneous doctrine (we see this in the temptation of Jesus in the desert).

He is the prince of a realm of darkness which entraps and deceives people here on earth. He schemes on ways to extinguish the light of Jesus Christ in the hearts of men. He schemed as a serpent in Eden, he continues to scheme now.

Some mistakenly believe God and Satan are enemies with equal power holding a dualistic understanding where there are two equal power sources, one good and one evil. This is incorrect. God and Satan are not on opposite ends of the spectrum of good and evil.

Satan is one of God’s creatures who has rebelled. God still reigns supreme. Satan may win many battles, but God has already won the war. Satan cannot win because God’s power and might are infinitely greater.

The light of Christ cannot be extinguished, and we must not allow the devil to deceive us to believe otherwise. When we look at the world today: wars, famine, pain and suffering, persecuted Christians, we can even throw the HHS mandate here, we must not lose hope: the devil many win many battles, but God has already won the war.

Satan’s greatest victory in the modern world is making human beings believe he does not even exist. Many, including faithful Catholics, perhaps some of you here now, think the devil does not exist. Even more believe that hell, eternal punishment, is not an actual possibility for the after-life.

Seven times in the New Testament Jesus speaks of punishment in the darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth for those who do evil. Jesus confirms the existence of Satan numerous times, even telling us he watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning.

When your enemy makes you believe he does not exist, your enemy can do whatever he wants with you. You become even more vulnerable to his attacks because you do not recognize them as his doings.

Whatever Satan achieves he does so by seducing us to choose lesser goods, thus decreasing the goodness God can achieve in our lives.

Satan operates not by scaring us by showing us his horrific face, but by slowly seducing us to choose the “lesser good” – to compromise and to settle for less. It’s a slippery slope until we find ourselves choosing the wrong, and each time creeping further into the darkness.

Know the enemy your reject today: Do not let him accuse you and allow you to lose your trust in God’s infinite mercy. Do not let him seduce you into choosing a lesser good when making decisions in your life. Do not let him extinguish the light of Christ present in your heart since the day of your baptism.

The author and prince of sin is alive and well. But God is greater, and we choose to march behind God’s banner. By marching under the banner of Jesus Christ we reject Satan and his deceitful ways. May God help us in the battle, and may Saint Michael the Archangel always defend us.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 9, 2012

Santa Francesca Romana

Next Post

March 17, 2012 If I forget you Jerusalem

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Article Catholic Lima Christmas Commentary History Homily Immigration martyrs Meditation Pope Reflection Saint Story Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 January 2010 June 2009 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who killed Goliath with a stone and sling?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Samson Saul David Jonathan