Hey there,
“The devil made me do it.”
“The devil is in the details.”
“Playing devil’s advocate.”
These familiar phrases roll easily off our tongues. They appear in our conversations, our entertainment, and our culture so often that the devil himself can seem more like a figure of speech than a real presence.
Yet Catholic teaching has always been clear: the devil is not a symbol. He is real. And his purpose is simple … to draw us away from God.
In our Lenten journey, many of us become more aware of that reality. Prayer deepens, discipline increases, and resistance appears. Distractions multiply. Old habits resurface. Temptations feel sharper. This is not coincidence. Lent has always been a season of spiritual battle.
The good news is that we do not face this battle alone. God is already victorious. But to share in that victory, we must recognize how the enemy works and where we are most vulnerable.
This week’s issue of Genuflect is devoted to that clarity. We explore who Satan is and how he came to be, when and how he attacks, and the ways Scripture, the Saints, and the Church teach us to resist him. We look to the guidance of the Pope, the witness of holy men and women, and the renewed attention being given to spiritual warfare in our own time.
Lent calls us not only to repentance, but to resolve. And with Christ at our side, the words we are meant to claim are the same ones spoken in the Gospel:
“Get behind me, Satan!”
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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About The Devil
Is Satan real … or merely a symbol of evil? This article explores what the Catholic Church actually teaches about the devil, his influence in the world, and why Christ’s victory over him still matters today.
Satan And The Devil | The Catholic Telegraph
The Devil is Real
In this succinct, 2-minute video Bishop Robert Barron explains why it’s reasonable to believe in the existence of the devil as only Bishop Barron can do.
Why Believe in The Devil? | Word on Fire Institute
Know Your Vulnerabilities
The devil loves nothing more than to separate us from our Heavenly father. He attacks on a daily basis when we’re weak physically and spiritually. But if we don’t recognize his attacks, we are doomed to fall victim to them. Here are six vulnerability points to be on the lookout for to defeat the enemy’s attacks.
6 Vulnerability Points The Devil Uses to Attack You | Belief Net
Conquering Satan
The devil is cunning and interjects himself in our lives all the time, especially in our thoughts. Here are 3 ways to deal with negative thoughts and 6 tangible ways you can protect yourself before he attacks.
I am Learning How to Conquer The Devil | Catholic Stand
Using God’s Armor
The devil uses temptations to try to destroy us, but fortunately God has equipped us with weapons and armor to fend off the devil. We just need to know how to use them. Here are four ways to defeat Satan’s temptations.
Top 4 Ways to Defeat The Devil’s Temptations | Aleteia
Pope Francis’ Advice
The first week of Lent a few years ago, Pope Francis addressed the crowd in Saint Peter’s Square, talking about how the devil tempts us to walk down an alternative path from the Lord’s. Read here how he explained the temptations Satan uses and how to defend against attacks.
Pope at Angelus: ‘Never Engage in Dialogue With The Devil’ | Vatican News
Saints’ Examples
Who better to learn how to defeat the devil than from Saints! Here are quotes from 12 Saints on how to conquer Satan.
The Powerful Weapon These 12 Saints Used to Conquer Satan | ChurchPOP
Prayer Defense
Satan is engaged in a battle with us. But we are not alone. We have the Lord on our side and this “Prayer to Defeat the Work of Satan” can help.
A Powerful Prayer to Defeat The Work of Satan | Aleteia
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