What commander would send troops blindly into danger?  What type of friend would not warn a neighbor of some imminent threat?  What type of mother would send her children into harms way without warning them?  In all three cases the answer is one of poor quality.  Fortunately for the sons and daughters of the Church, although the world we live in is filled with spiritual dangers, our Lord and His Church have provided much in terms of warning and guidelines. 

The Tradition of the Church acknowledges three source of temptation:

1.      The world.
When we speak of the world in terms of a source of temptation we are not speaking against the planet earth or the creation that we commonly refer to as nature.  What is being referred to is the “Sinful Spirit of the World.”  We live in a world that prizes power, wealth, sensuality and immoderate pleasure.  Often those whose are held up as role models are self proclaimed rebels who live lewd lifestyles and look down on decency as a form of social oppression.  When sinful behavior is so often glorified, we must be vigilant that we do not fall into believing that such behavior is correct simply because some celebrity makes it look attractive.   

2.      The flesh.
Ever since man committed the first sin our human nature has been wounded.  Our minds have been darkened and our wills weakened.  As a result our wounded nature or “the flesh” is often misleading.  We sometimes find things desirable that are bad for us.  We mistake some impulses as being “natural impulses” which can lead us into self-destructive behavior that offends God and hurts others.  We must be aware that some desires that seem good are not and must be governed by our reason using the guidelines of the Faith.  

3.      The Devil.
It has been said that the Devil’s greatest trick was when he convinced humanity that he did not exist.  We live in a world where a good portion of the populace finds the idea of spirits to be a ridiculous superstition while another large portion is turning to new age practices and witchcraft for guidance and spirituality.  The teaching of the Church is clear in this matter.  The Devil does exist as a real person of a spiritual nature.  Once an angel of God, he is a liar who will often use his cunning and treachery to lead souls away from God.  While the evil one often has influence through the “world”, he and his fallen angels also can have a direct influence over people through a type of suggestion.  Thoughts of sins as well as complex defenses of why such sins are justified can be presented to the unguarded mind.  Moreover, occult practices such as magic and divination serve quite well in opening up a soul to demonic influence.  We must turn to God for the light and grace to recognize demonic action and resist its influence in our lives.  

Having been warned of these dangers we should pray for the grace to recognize and resists them.  Turn to Mary, our mother, and trust that she will obtain for us the graces we need. (The daily rosary is a great protection).