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  "DEFEATING THE POWER OF SATAN"
 Defeating the Power of Satan
Jesus Christ before ascending to Heaven speaks these words relating to Satan:
(1) "Go unto all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."[Mark 16:15-18];
(2) "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name." Jesus replies: "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall hurt you."[Luke 10:17-19].
Weapons Against Evil Spirits: Non-Charismatic Way
Faith healers, past and present, in their fight/bout with evil spirits and the forces send or possessed by evil spirits used various methods in driving out, or destroying/subduing them or in curing persons contaminated , "demonized" or afflicted by them.
First, the use of prayers and mesmerism "oracion" [ "orasyon"] like that of "Orasyon sa Dios Amahan"[God, the Father] "Orasyon ni San David"[St. David], "Orasyon ni San Miguel"[St. Michae], "Orasyon ni Santiago"[St. James] "Orasyon ni San Rafael' [St. Raphael],etc.
Second, the use of some materials such as salt and oil. Salt has the effect of being considered an "acid" to the evil spirits.
Third, as antidote of sorcery, witchcraft ["barang" or "kulam" or "paktol" (i.e., dolls being pricked/pinched with needles to cause sufferings to the victims)] the faith healers used burnt "blessed" palm Sunday where the ashes are mixed with oil and this is believed by the faith healers as supernatural protection for it causes "visual blackout" and made the body "slippery."
Fourth, the use of noise to drive evil spirits, such as the noise produced by drums, gongs, firecrackers, the noise of the brooms[coconut mildreds] or even the mere shout of "salt."
Fifth, the use of unwanted odor such as the odor emitted from burnt old tires or the good odor of materials for incensing. Faith healers claimed that thru proper incensing mixed with ordinary "tawas" they would be able to capture and burn unwanted animals and insects sent by evil spirits.
Finally, The faith healers who show some religiosity may use and avail the "sacramentals" recognized by the Church such as the crucifix, bible, rosary beads, holy water, scapulars, etc.
Weapons Against Evil Spirits In the Charismatic Way
Some faith healers are evil spirits' caster or "ghosts' busters", etc. They cast out evil spirits on persons possessed or obsessed or "demonized". Counterpart to this type of faith healing in the Divine healing level is "exorcism" and the performer is known as the "exorcist." Exorcism is a religious rite by which the devil is cast out of a person possessed or obsessed or demonized. The specific ministry in the spiritual/divine healing is referred to as "deliverance ministry." Exorcism may either be simple exorcism [deliverance] or solemn exorcism. Thus,
(1)SIMPLE EXORCISM is for the purpose of curbing the devil's power and can executed through private exorcism, which means exorcist acts in his own name. Private exorcism which truly is not sacramental can be executed by all faithful... not only clerics who have the power of orders but also the laity are able to use exorcism which have been preferred by the common term as "deliverance."
(2) SOLEMN EXORCISM is for the purpose of driving out the devil from a possessed person [i.e. cases of diabolical possession]. The Church requires that only a priest specifically approved by the local bishop can engage in public exorcism; therefore only such an authorized priest is approved by solemn exorcism [Codes of iurs Canonici.]. The Spiritual Director of the Charismatic of the Philippines, Msgr. Fred Kriekenbeek formerly,of St. Joseph Parish Tabunok, Talisay, Cebu, now Nazareth Parish, Banilad,Mandue City ] is one of them.
The known weapons against evil spirits used by Charismatic exorcists or bad spirits' caster are the following:
First, is a straight forward command to Satan and evil spirits to leave a person or a situation. At this Jesus said to him: "Away with you Satan!" Scripture has it: "You shall do homage to the Lord, your God; him alone shall you adore" [Matthew 410]. "Why meddle with me, Jesus, Son of God Most High? I implore you in God's name, do not torture me." [Jesus had been saying to him, "Unclean Spirit, come out of the man!" [Mark 5:7-8]. Jesus referred to this same power and authority when He told His disciples to cast out demons in His name.[Mark 16:17]. The early Church recognized that the name of Jesus the Christ was an authority that evil spirits could not resist. St. Paul, for example, cast out a Spirit of divination- "In the name of Jesus Christ."[Acts 16:18].
Second, is the use of sacramentals recognized by the Church. The sign of the cross, the symbol of demonic defeat may be involved and commands the demons to leave. Sacramentals are agents of grace. Some sacramentals are things and some are actions. Exorcism is a very special kind of sacramental action. On the other hand, the sacramental things recognized by the Church are: crucifix, holy water, holy oil, blessed candles, blessed palms, blessed statues/icons, rosary beads, scapulars, etc.
Thirdly, the other means of dealing with demonic spirits is by making oneself less vulnerable to them - i.e. from sin [Eph. 4:27] and take the whole armor of God. Therefore, "...take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil way, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shot your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quence all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication.[Eph. 6:13-18].
The first two are considered offensive weapons using the words of command- "In the Name of Jesus"-but the third is known as "defensive" and this is termed as "dynamic Christian life." There are five (5) elements in the dynamic Christian life:
(1) Daily prayer and Scripture reading;
(2) Participation in the Christian group;
(3) Teaching on Christian living and truths;
(4) Sacramental life; and
(5) Service to others.
Dynamic Christian life [i.e. living a "consecrated life"] is re-enforced by the teachings of the Catholic Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ and and Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist [God's Presence].
Praise the Lord!
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