What Jesus said about ... (series)

 

What Jesus said about ... the devil.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Let us make one thing clear. The devil exists all right. He is not a euphemism for "evil". He exists and is a malevolent spirit. We cannot possibly believe in God and not believe in the devil. But he is cunning in camouflaging his existence from a sophisticated modern world which does not know what to believe any more. Satan and his demons are roaming free throughout the world causing trouble everywhere they go; but, (this is important), they do so within strict limitations by God.

The devil tried to tempt Jesus, (Matthew 4:1-11), so we should not be much of a challenge to him. Jesus cast out Satan from many people who were possessed by the devil and his followers. Jesus was accused of having the power of the devil in casting out demons.

In Matthew 12:22 we read as follows: 

“A blind and mute man possessed by a demon was brought to Jesus and He healed him, He drove the demon out of him.

“When the Pharisees saw this, they said, ‘Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.’ In other words, they accused Jesus of being one of Satan’s demons.

“Jesus replied that a kingdom divided against itself would fall, and every city or house divided against itself would also fall, so how could it be possible that Satan would drive out demons out of a man? Surely his kingdom would also fall.

“Then Jesus adds, ‘If I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive out demons?”

And on another occasion, when seventy-two of Christ's disciples reported "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven." Luke 10:18.

In referencing Satan’s fall from Heaven, Jesus was quoting Isaiah 14:12, “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!” 

The fall of Satan that Jesus saw happened after Lucifer’s sin, before Adam and Eve’s temptation in the Garden of Eden. In his pride, Lucifer had lifted himself up, but God had cast him down out of his original place in heaven. Jesus’ statement in Luke 10:18 speaks of Jesus’ pre-existence and the Lord’s defeat over the power of Satan in a general sense. 

In summary:

The devil, (Satan), exists. He is a spirit who is intent in derailing us away from God through temptations and lies. He knows our weaknesses and plays with our minds when we least expect it. His greatest trick is to lead us to believe that he does not exist, He is a liar. The best way to stand up to him is through prayers.

"Get behind me, Satan!" Matthew 16:23

AMAZON LINK HERE

Blessed by the devil

 

 WARNING: This article may upset some people.

 I have hesitated about publishing this post; but here goes. Have you ever wondered why some people who openly deny the existence of God, and mock Christianity even, seem to be so successful and doing well in life? You often see celebrities on TV or in the newspapers proudly announcing that they don't believe in God and indeed anyone who does believe is somehow deluded and antiquated in their thinking.

I'd like to put forward the thought that these people are most probably blessed by the devil. They may not know it; but they are benefiting from his bounty and protection.

In the beginning God created Angels, and one of them rebelled and was allowed to leave Paradise together with his followers. God in His infinite love did not destroy them there and then, but He allowed them to exist as spirits roaming the earth to do their will. He gave them the same free will which He has gifted all of us since the creation of life. We too have the free will to choose right from wrong and to deny the very existence of God, if we wish.

In order to tempt people into his way of thinking the devil often showers good fortune on certain people; those he can influence to be his ambassadors on earth. Let's face it, we are more likely to listen to and try to emulate another human being than an invisible malevolent spirit. There is no need for the devil to walk around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He is more subtle than that. If he were to appear as a threatening monster we'd be so frightened that we'd all run into the arms of Christ. Which is self-defeating from his point of view. He is far cleverer than that and he makes us believe that he does not exist even. The word "devil" is just a euphemism for being naughty; it's a fun word. He doesn't really exist.

Having lulled us into a false sense of security, the devil then tempts certain people very much in the same way he tried to tempt Christ in the desert. If he had the audacity to tempt the Son of God we shouldn't be much of a challenge to him. He showers those people with opportunities to be successful, prominent, famous and in a position to influence others. It's pointless for him to spend time putting doubts and fears and confusion in the minds of people already susceptible to his thinking and wiles. They are already "on his side", so to speak. So he saves these tricks for those who believe in God and rewards his followers with good things in exchange for their services. The irony is that these very people do not know what they are doing, and most probably don't believe in the existence of the devil himself, as well as God; such is his skill in trickery.

And God allows it to happen. To intervene and to stop the devil would mean God taking away the devil's freedom, as well as our freedom, to choose right from wrong. Having gifted us all free-will God does not take it back.

It is up to each one of us to choose the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

In the meantime many are sleep-walking their way into hell.

Sorry you're leaving us

 

Look folks, I feel that this post is likely to lose me some of my readers. I deeply regret if this happens, but what I have to say is too important not to be said.

We are living at a time when people seem to want all the good things in life as an entitlement owed to them by society, the world, the universe or whatever. 

They want instant gratification, permanent joy and happiness, and everything to be well in life as of right. You see it in the adverts, in soap operas and reality shows, and on social media. 

The message is that if you buy a certain product, or do a certain thing, then you will be happy for ever and the sun will always shine in your life. Constant subliminal messages aimed at vulnerable minds are influencing a new way of life, and a new way of death. Enjoy and be merry for tomorrow there's nothing.

This message is also pervading Christianity. There is the belief being preached by some that God loves us all, He created us all and therefore He will not allow any of us to go to hell. We are all welcome to Heaven and are destined to go there.

This is false teaching encouraged by the devil to lead us astray. He exists for sure and is cunningly, patiently, influencing people to peddle false lies to confuse naive minds who have not been taught anything about their divine origins as creations of God. 

Satan is not omnipresent. Unlike God, Satan is not everywhere, but he has his legions of demons all over the world doing his work for him.

The devil exists and tempted Christ. So we should not be much of a challenge to him. He waits for our weakest moment when we are tired, have gone through a difficult time, or we are in ill health and that's when he cunningly puts lies in our minds.

He speaks through people to spread his message. Using influential people, famous people, glamourous people and all those best placed to convey his false teachings in a sweet and gentle fashion to suit our lifestyles. 

There is a concerted effort and a push to push us away from God. Remember, the devil used Peter to tempt Jesus. When Christ foretold His passion and death, Peter, influenced by the devil, took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” To which Jesus replied, "Get behind me, Satan!" Matthew 16:22-23.

Today, the devil is just as busy and in some cases he is working through so called Christians who teach that all is well and that a loving God will not see any of us perish. I repeat that this is false teaching. Life is not a game of Monopoly and we don't all have a "get out of hell card" as an insurance policy to enable us to live as selfishly as we wish.

No ... we are not all destined to go to Heaven. No one goes to Heaven against their will. We are free to go elsewhere and many are sleep-walking their way to that destination.

Are you a part-timer?

 

 

A part-time Christian cannot defeat a full-time devil.

It is a fact that the devil works 24/7, over-time hours even, to derail us and to take us away from God. It is his job, and he does it well. He does it first of all by convincing people that he does not exist. That "devil" is just a euphemism for evil. A jovial word to use tongue in cheek when describing something or someone naughty. There is no such a thing as a man with horns and a tail holding a trident fork to push people into a fire with. It's all fun really.

Well, I have news for all those who hold such views.

The devil exists all-right. He is a spirit. He was an angel who rebelled against God; and instead of destroying him, God allowed him and his followers to leave Paradise and roam freely around the world.

It's written in the Bible and those who believe in God have no doubt read it there.

But those who do not believe in God, and who proudly proclaim their non-belief to anyone willing to hear, will also not believe in the devil either.

And Satan laughs silently.

We make his job easier by half-heartedly believing in him, or not believing at all. And this applies to Christians too.

How many Christians take the existence of the devil seriously and are wary of his temptations and threats to our eternity?

How often is the devil mentioned in the pulpit at Sunday sermons? He has every right to be there as God has. You would not go rushing in dangerous roads without safety signs warning you of dangers ahead. So why do our priests and pastors not put up safety signs in their sermons more often?

Christians should live their Christianity every day and not just wear it as a badge or identity card. Christianity is a full-time job and we live it in such a way that others may desire what we have and wish to be like us.

By being part-time Christians we are in effect working part-time for the devil.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Matthew 6:24-26

How is Satan in your life?

 

I would like to thank Mevely for her last post and for linking to her Pastor's recent sermon. Visit here and follow the link to the sermon.

It is the best sermon I have heard for a long time. I wish that Pastor was in our churches over here teaching this message.

Over the years, we have been accustomed to easy-going nice-sounding sermons which make us feel good and cuddly. I don't mean just my church, but all churches in all denominations. The strategy is to be nice to the congregation so they don't leave church altogether.

This is false teaching. Church is not a theatre or cinema for people to attend as an audience and see the priest or pastor perform. Church is a hospital for sick souls. 

The sermon we hear in church is not meant to make us feel happy and comfortable. It is meant to make us change. To make us be more like Jesus.

The wonderful Pastor at Mevely's church said that the Holy Spirit actually exists. He is a living Person. The third Person of the Holy Trinity. 

Many people, including Christians, don't understand this fact and are woolly in what they believe. In our church we recite the CREDO every Sunday but I wonder how many truly understand it.

The Pastor also said that the devil actually exists. He is a living spirit intent on taking us astray from God. He is not a euphemism for evil. I wish that kind of sermon was preached in our churches over here.

I truly believe that we are living in the "Me ... Me ... Me ..." generation where we legitimise and we celebrate ignorance and we have no knowledge or fear of God.

Often on TV quiz shows contestants are asked the most basic of Christian questions; like name one of the apostles, and they fail completely. Celebrities too, often proclaim that they don't believe in God as if it was something to be admired and emulated.

Christianity is not generally taught at school or in the family and we have a generation which will grow up unable to teach their children either. We are making the devil's job easier for him by our ignorance and stupidity.

No wonder the world has lost its moral compass and does not even know where to find it.

Which is why we need more straightforward sermons, like the one by Mevely's Pastor, explaining the facts of eternal life. Meanwhile, I fear many are sleep-walking their way into hell.

Blessed by the Devil

 

This is likely to be controversial. I'd appreciate your views.

Can you be blessed by the Devil?

When I say "God bless" to anyone of you I am asking God to look after you, to take care of you, and to gift you and your family good things. I am praying to God on your behalf. And I believe God listens and responds in His time and in His way. The same applies when you pray for me your much needed and appreciated prayers.

But if God blesses people; does the Devil also blesses people?

We often see people who do not believe in God, who perhaps deny Him publicly, and encourage others to do the same by what they say and do. They are role models to a secular society. They may be successful in business, or are famous politicians, celebrities, singers, comedians, sportsmen or whatever; some may well be dishonest in their dealings with others and in their behaviour; yet these people are doing well in life. Certainly better than you and me.

We ask ourselves, perhaps enviously, (beware the sin of envy), "why are such bad people so successful and I am not?" We say, "I'm a good Christian", (beware the sin of pride), I go to church regularly, I give to charity ... blah ... blah ... blah ... yet I am not as successful as them." (Beware the sin of coveting your neighbour).

So the question applies: Does the Devil bless people? Give them good things in life to keep them on-side. In his camp. Amongst his followers. His job is to recruit as many as possible, so can he do so by giving them goodies in this life in preparation of the next?

The answer is, in my view, probably yes.

The Devil blessed Jesus. Or attempted to.

"Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. 'All this I will give you,' the Devil said, 'if you kneel down and worship me.'

Then Jesus answered, 'Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ " Matthew 4:8-10

So you see. The Devil tempted Jesus with goodies. Do this and I'll give you all that. 

And if he tempted Jesus, we should not be much of a challenge to him.

The devil of a thought

 

For those who follow Christ, there will be times, often perhaps, when thoughts will come to mind and take over and control their whole being. The devil will introduce idle, seemingly irrelevant thoughts at first, and these will grow into a state of negativity that will empower your whole being.

The closer we are to God in prayer, love and obedience the harder the devil works to lead us astray. There is no point in him tempting those who do not believe. 

The devil knows us very well; he knows our weaknesses and our fears. He plays on those fears and will turn those thoughts into worries and severe anxieties about the future, about our loved ones, about health or financial issues, or anything else that would take our focus away from God.

We need to recognise these temptations immediately as they manifest themselves. The more our lives are centred on Christ the easier this reflex reaction will become; and at the very first instant we turn away every shred of anxiety over to Jesus by praying repeatedly, "over to you, Lord, help me." 

We consciously, and as forcibly as we possibly can, we exclude from our mind every anxiety and evil-inspired thought and hand it over to God's influence. And with trust and hope see Him restore peace of mind and optimism into our lives.

Meeting Satan

 

The devil appeared in town one Saturday morning. He stood there looking menacingly and threatening. Everyone panicked and escaped.

Except John. A small, short man, standing there all alone.

The devil advanced towards him and said angrily: ‘Do you know who I am?’

‘Yes … I do’ replied John.

‘Aren’t you afraid of me like all the others?’ asked the devil.

‘No … I’ve been married to your sister for 25 years!’ 

The thing is, I knew John's wife. She was evil. Believe me, some people are really evil. They connive and plot in order to create havoc, chaos and ill-feelings wherever they are. 

One question which is rarely asked these days is: Does the devil possess people?

Before answering this, let us remember that the devil, Satan, is a spirit. There is out there, all around us, a spiritual invisible world. An invisible realm or state of being. This invisible world consists of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit - who are spirits. It consists of Angels, and the souls of all people who have died. We are spirits. You and I are spirits - or souls is another word for it. We inhabit a body made mainly of water, chemicals and minerals. When the body disintegrates the soul/spirit lives on. And of course, the devils are also invisible spirits.

So, being spirits, evil ones, the devils can and have possessed people against their will. The Bible is full of such examples; and Jesus did on many occasions deliver people from their evil spirits or devils.

The Catholic Church believes that the devil can possess people and has appointed trained exorcist priests in every diocese. Other denominations and religions believe this also.

Thus, the devil can, if he wants to, possess people against their will. He can enter their souls and make them do his will. Very much like the Holy Spirit can enter our souls and help us and guides us in life - but only if we ask Him. The Holy Spirit does not abide in our souls without our express invitation.

However, the devil is clever. He does not possess people like he did in Biblical times. This is too dramatic. If he were to possess someone these days it would scare the **** out of us and make many people turn to God. Somewhat counter-productive, I think.

The devil is much more subtle. He influences people. He brings temptation in their way. And once influenced by his evil ways, he encourages those people to spread their evil influence everywhere around them. More effective and under the radar than outright possessing people, don't you think?

Our role and responsibility when we meet such people in our lives is to distance ourselves from their influence. It is not a sin to protect oneself. Just keep our distance and pray for God's protection and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is only a prayer away.

Would you play poker with the devil?

 

Would you play poker with the devil?

The question is somewhat academic since the devil would not engage in such a discussion or game-play with you. And in any case, in this day an age not many people believe in him anyway; (to his undoubted delight). They see him as a euphemism for evil rather than an actual living being, albeit in a spiritual sense.

The devil exists all right. We cannot possibly believe in God and not believe in the devil. But he is cunning in camouflaging his existence from a sophisticated modern world which does not know what to believe any more.

The devil will use your past and your future to ruin your present.

He will take an instance or an event from the past and let it prey within your mind weighing down your progress and enjoyment of life today. Say for example you have had a disagreement with someone in the past. Something serious that has hurt you badly and has been left unresolved. The devil will use such hurt to make you resent what has happened and perhaps withdraw any forgiveness you might have given. Or, if you have indeed forgiven, he will use such hurt to remind you that the other person has never sought, nor cared for, your forgiveness. This is particularly poignant if such a person has passed away and therefore there is no opportunity for reconciliation.

But you must remember this, such a person is now in another spiritual world and has seen the instance of disagreement in all its clarity. If indeed he has been in anyway remiss, this is now a matter between him and God; and has nothing to do with you. There is no profit in allowing the devil to torment you further. If, on the other hand, some blame is attributable to you, then admit it and seek forgiveness from God; and accept such forgiveness lovingly given. To do otherwise would allow the devil an opportunity to overcome you; for our regrets of the past are the toys he uses to suppress us.

As for the future, we all have our doubts, fears or concerns as to what will happen then. Be they worries about old age, sickness, or our fears for the safety or well-being of our loved ones. This too is fertile ground for the devil to manipulate and lead us astray from God our Creator; and to spoil our enjoyment of the present. Giving way to such fears is both playing poker with the devil and a great disservice to God Himself, since it betrays a lack of trust and faith in Him on our part.

Christ too was tempted and tormented by the devil many times. He overcame such attacks through prayer and strengthened faith in God His Father. Let that in itself be an example for us.

The devil will never show his poker hand, but rest assured he is holding at least six aces!

Father Ignatius meets the devil

Father Ignatius faced a direct question from one of his parishioners.

"Father, do you think the devil can possess people these days?" she asked.

He had to be very careful with his response. The Bible, especially the New Testament, has many references of people being possessed by the devil and Jesus sending the devil away. Those accounts are sometimes very graphic saying that the victim was in some kind of fit, the devil speaking out against Jesus, and on one occasion a whole group of demons possessed a man and Jesus commanded them to leave the man and enter a herd of swine; which then perished off a cliff.

He said a silent prayer before answering.

"We Christians believe in the devil," he said, "we cannot possibly believe in God and Jesus and not believe in the devil. He exists all right. He is a fallen angel who rebelled against God. And God, let him and his followers go. Their role, it seems, is to tempt us away from God. The devil tried to tempt Jesus in the desert; so we should not be much of a challenge.

"Yes, I believe the devil can possess people these days. Our Church believes so. That is why they have appointed and trained many exorcist priests in our dioceses.

"Does the devil possess an individual as described in the Bible when Jesus healed such people? I have not had any personal experience of this. But I don't see why not.

"Does he possess people against their will?"

He stopped, noticing she was a little nervous. Maybe she had had some sort of personal experience. He chose to tread carefully.

"Let me put it another way, Georgina," he continued, "I have not heard of the devil possessing a devout Christian against their will. He will try to tempt them away from God, as I said earlier. Just as he tempted Jesus.

"But I doubt he can possess a devout believing Christian against his will. God would not allow it. It is not in God's interest to see such a person go to the other side, as it were!"

She smiled at his turn of phrase. He was relieved he had got over that point carefully but firmly.

"I believe the devil will try to influence people who are already leaning his way. You know ... people who do not believe in God. People who mock those who believe in God. People who encourage others not to believe in God.

"I doubt he would possess people in a spectacular way like described in the Bible; sending them into fits of rage and insults. That would not serve his cause well. If the devil acted so dramatically today, people would be frightened. They would certainly believe in him. And even turn against him. He is much more subtle now.

"Times have changed, and the devil has become modern ... with the times. He would slowly, patiently and carefully influence his followers to do his work for him. To sow the seeds of doubt. Of despair. To create worries and trouble amongst people. 

"There are many temptations these days in the world. I need not give you examples, Georgina," he continued, "and the devil, I believe, would use his followers, those already susceptible to his wiles, to use these temptations to draw people away from God."

He noticed her wince. He continued, treading carefully.

"What prompted this question about the devil possessing people anyway?" he asked with a smile to deflate the seriousness of the question.

"Well ..." she hesitated, "there is this woman I know. I believe she is evil. I sometimes believe she is the devil himself. As you say, Father ... she often causes trouble. Starts an argument about people at work; or when we're in the pub. She lies also ... she tells you something about someone that is not true to make you change your mind about that person. Then she tells someone else something about you so they don't like you as well.

"As a result people don't know what to believe, but their relationships, which may have been friendly at first, are now all changed with suspicions and doubts and broken trust.

"She even came between a friend of mine and her fiancé. She tempted him and I believe she tried to take him to bed by performing a strip tease for him. When he resisted, she spread a rumour that they had an affair together.

"Now the couple have split up. I believe it was a lie, Father. He would not do such a thing. But his girlfriend is full of doubts and for now ... the wedding is off!"

He noticed her hands twisting the handkerchief she was holding. He felt that tact should take a holiday for a while and the direct approach was needed.

"Why have you called the wedding off?" he asked.

She started crying wiping her tears with the handkerchief. He waited patiently. Saying nothing but praying silently.

When she calmed down he asked, "Do you love him?"

She nodded.

"Do you trust him?" he asked again.

She nodded once more.

"Do you want to spend your life with him?"

She nodded wiping her eyes.

"Well, that's a good reason to call off the wedding," he said.

She laughed ... he smiled too.

Then he said, "Look Georgina ... I do not know if this woman you mention is possessed by the devil or not. Or whether she is influenced by the devil to sow discord and hopelessness around her. Yes ... some people do seem to do the devil's work for him. I cannot tell in this case.

"But I do know that she managed at least to come between you and your husband to be. Not enough it seems to make you stop loving him and trusting him. But she did cause some damage at least.

"I believe the whole of God's Creation is based on love. He loved us so much that He sacrificed His Son for us. When love is destroyed the devil is satisfied."

He waited for a few seconds of silence and then added:

"You have a decision to make ... and so has Kevin. Are you going to let that woman win? Are you going to let the devil win? Because, whether he influenced her or not, he is certainly happy at your crisis right now ... it is his first step to come back later and try to tempt you and Kevin some more.

"I think you should go and speak with Kevin. Tell him what you feel. Tell him what you told me. If needs be ... come both of you here and we'll discuss matters further."

She left with a lighter heart than when she first came to see Father Ignatius.

The wedding is in four months' time.

Sunday Sermon

Have you noticed how Sunday sermons these days are full of niceties and platitudes and sentiments that everyone would generally agree with. At least round where I am, the sermons are always like that.

The priests talk about a loving and forgiving God, full of kindness and mercy, and the fact that He loves us all and welcomes us to Heaven.

Of course, all this is true, and is indeed Biblical. We read that "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus did indeed come to this earth to reach out to humanity. He came so that we may see Him, hear and listen to Him, and witness His love for us. He died so that we may be redeemed once more.

It is of course right that sermons should proclaim this message. That God loves and welcomes us all into His Kingdom.

But this is only half of the reality that is God. Priests do God no favours by preaching half of the truth for fear of "frightening the horses". 

There are many people who turn down God's invitation to love and to join Him in His Kingdom. People who constantly, and willingly, defy God. People who stand up against Him, daring not to believe in His existence, (which is indeed a privilege afforded them by God), and also proclaiming their defiance and belief for others to emulate and to follow. 

Whilst God is ever loving, merciful and forgiving, He is also just.

Surely the time will come that these people who willingly and intentionally oppose God will be judged and found wanting.

The ever merciful God will say to them, "OK ... you've made your decision, let your will be done!"

And they will have excluded themselves from God's love and from His Kingdom.

But you don't hear this message from the pulpit on Sunday, do you? At least I don't in the churches I attend.

I can't remember when a priest last talked about hell, about Satan, about the results and effects of our disobedience and turning our backs on God. 

The Church needs the people. They are the clients and customers of this big business called Religion. No successful business turns its customers away.

The Church will not talk about the devil and hell in case customers stop going to church altogether. Already regular church attendances are at an all time low. About 5% of the population in the UK according to latest statistics.  

Besides, if you were to ask people if they believe in hell, or the devil, or the final judgement by God, I would guess the numbers would be just as low. Although most would also claim and believe they'll go to Heaven, whatever they perceive it to be.

Surely, the Church, and its priests, bear a responsibility for the current state of affairs. Their job, which they took on freely and willingly, is to shepherd the herds of sheep back into the arms of a loving God who welcomes all to His eternal Kingdom.

I believe when a priest gets to meet God face to face, he will be asked, "How many of the people I put in your care did you lead into Heaven?"

Meanwhile, I fear many of us are sleep-walking our way into hell. Willingly so.

Conversation with the devil

Devil: Ah … I see you’re going to church … again! Why do you do this?

Man: It’s Sunday. I am going to Mass.

Devil: A Catholic hein? One of them I see.

Man: What do you mean?

Devil: Well … Catholics are a bit odd. Do you know that some people do not consider Catholics as being Christians at all?

Man: Why?

Devil: Where do I start? The Pope for instance. What is all that about? Having one man at the top supposedly in charge of the whole outfit. Surely, the only one you should follow and listen to is God; if your logic is correct?

Man: Yes … God is the Supreme Being at the top, as you put it. The Pope is only a representative of God, like all priests, like all Christians really. He is “at the top” to lead and guide all in the Church. Just like St Peter did all those years ago.

Devil: OK … how about your habit of confessing your sins to a priest? That’s odd don’t you think? Surely, if you need to confess anything it should be to God. Not a man who for the most part has little experience of real life, being single, with no real understanding of raising a family, providing for his family and all the other problems of life?

Man: The Catholic Church, I understand, bases its teaching on the words of Jesus, when He said to Peter, “And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:18). I can understand that some people, Catholics even, find it difficult in these days to go and confess their sins to a priest. It is a personal choice, and I guess the Church has a lot of teaching to do on this.

Devil: Diplomatic answer … I see. I wonder if it convinces anyone. How about all the statues and images you have in your church. And people lighting candles and placing flowers by them and worshipping them. Surely this is wrong.

Man: I agree … worshipping the statues and images is wrong. We should only worship God. Over the years many Catholics have been confused by this, and again, perhaps we should teach them that it is not the statue they should be worshipping. Let me explain it another way. I have in my wallet a photo of my wife and children. Also on my desk at work. I do not worship the photos, nor do I worship my family. I love them of course. The photos are a reminder of my family. As for placing flowers and lighting candles to statues. We should do this as a sign of reverence and respect. Not as a sign of worship. Very much like many people place flowers and light candles on the graves of their loved ones. They do not worship the grave or who is in it.

Devil: You seem to have a clever answer to everything. But you must admit that your church does some eccentric irrational things at times. Like the exhumation of the body and bones of St Therese of Lisieux and taking them round from country to country for people to visit them and pray? Or mortifications and flagellations. How about the Spanish Inquisitions? And all the other evils that your Catholic Church has brought to the world? How about all the riches you have accumulated in the Vatican and other churches whilst poor people, Catholics amongst them, starve all over the world?

Man: I agree … there is a lot that the Church has done, and is doing wrong. But you must remember that the Church is made out of human beings. And human beings often make mistakes, and get things wrong, and indeed do evil too, often in the name of their religion. There are many things that the Church has done which cannot be defended. But that should not stop me going to Church, should it?

Devil: Why do you go to church?

Man: As a Catholic, I go to Church because I believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I base my beliefs on John Chapter 6 where Jesus tells His followers and disciples that unless they eat His flesh and drink His blood they will not have eternal life. I admit that I do not understand this. I doubt anyone does. But I believe it because Jesus said so.

Devil: Wishy washy meaningless answer. Would it not be better for you, and others, if you just gave up on the church and followed me? I have no rules. Anything goes. Whatever you want to do or believe, just do it!

Man: I guess the difference between you and Jesus is that Jesus did what He did, for us, because He loves us and cares for us. You do what you do for yourself. To increase the number of your followers. So thanks for the offer; but no thanks!