The safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.
(C.S. Lewis, from The Screwtape Letters)

Is Satan at home in your house?

You may not think so, but he is.

Satan is oh so clever. He has many unobtrusive places where he lurks, waiting to prey upon you.

Ah, but you say, ” I’m a good Catholic. I go to church ever Sunday. I give to the poor. I’m kind to others and to animals. I raise my kids to love God.”
All this may indeed be true, but remember what I said: Satan is clever.

Many methods does Satan have to infiltrate your good will. Many strategies and devices does he use to penetrate your fine intentions.

You may be wondering what I’m babbling on about. Well, I’ll tell you:

Satan is everywhere. He’s on the battlefields in Afghanistan. He’s on the inner-city streets with gangs. He’s in the backrooms with drug-lords and mafiosas. He’s with the huge corporations who exploit workers and dominate world trade. He’s present in the corrupt governments and money-grubbing dictatorships.

The Reverend Billy Graham, in his book, The Journey: Living by Faith in an Uncertain World has gone so far as to suggest that Satan may even be present in your church!

Think about that. When you’re standing there reciting the liturgy and suddenly you’re wondering what you’re going to wear to work on Monday, who do you think is responsible? You guessed it! Satan.
When your mind wanders to that pancake breakfast you’re going to have in just a little over an hour, who put that in your head? Satan.
When you find yourself looking at the “nice butt” on that person in front of you (or “not-so-nice” hairdo). Yup. Satan really IS in church.

Now back to my question: Is Satan at home in your house?

The answer, unfortunately, is most decidedly “yes”!

When you sat down to dinner last night, did you glut on second helpings, or have one too many drinks? Satan was there.

When you turned on the t.v., did you watch a program with a “warning” notice before it started – a show featuring titillating nudity and sex, or graphic violence, or preoccupation with material wealth? Satan was there.

Did you and your partner discuss someone from work who was really getting on your nerves? Did you share a tidbit about someone’s misfortune? Did you chuckle and say, “Glad it’s them and not me?” Satan was there.

Perhaps you picked up a book you were dying to read and after the first few pages you noticed the language was “pretty bad”, but you kept on with it because everybody says it’s a good one and you can’t be left out of that loop, right? Satan was there.

Did you fail to give thanks to the Lord for your meal or praise the person(s) who put dinner on the table for you? Satan was there.

Did you ignore the emotional needs of your spouse, or force your own desires upon your partner? Satan was there.

Did you let your kids go out with friends you know they shouldn’t be with, just to keep the peace? Satan was there.

Did you permit promiscuous styles of dress on your teenage daughter because she “has a mind of her own” and it’s easier than fighting or talking about it? Satan was there.

Satan secures a place in every home from day one. Like a mouse in between the walls,he lingers, waiting for just the right moment, just that little crack that he can discern, and then he wedges himself in and pries the crack ever-more open, until it is a gaping hole and he can come and go as he pleases.

Kick him out the door! Slam the door in his face! Throw out all his baggage behind him!

Love your family, love your life, but think first of your Lord. Pray. Pray as hard as you can in thanks. Pray as often as you can for forgiveness. Pray for assistance. Just pray–and keep the Father of Lies at bay.

Don’t reveal even the tiniest of cracks.

Beatasum