Apr 17 Mon
10 Ways you might be letting the devil slip in your life

God is the ultimate power, so the devil need not be feared, but the devil should be always avoided for our own spiritual well-being. He likes to work undercover to ensnare people in his traps.
Here are 10 things considered harmless by many that are ways that the devil has slips into a soul.

1. Horoscopes, which claim power to know the future that is not from God.

2. Mediums. Some claim to speak with the dead. Psychics, fortune tellers, mediums and the like, are either scammers or draw their power from the devil. The Old Testament in Deut. 18:10-11 and Isaiah 19:3 condemns conjuring up the dead. That is not the same as not praying to saints asking for their intercessory prayers.
 
3. Paranormal tourism. Visiting haunted houses, now so popular. Real haunted houses are cases of either souls in purgatory in need of prayer or evil spirits.

4. Wishing for someone to burn in hell.

5. “Knock on wood” and other superstitions. Rabbit’s feet, good luck charms, and any sort of superstition may seem harmless, but they seek to use powers not of God. Instead of knocking on wood or making a wish, pray instead.

6. Fortune tellers, palm readers, Tarot card readers and the like.

7. Consumer products that offer powers. Crystals and essential oils — perfectly good and natural materials — are sometimes used and sold by companies claiming they have supernatural powers. For real power, talk to the Creator of the Universe and receive supernatural graces through the sacraments.

8. Unforgiveness. When you remain unforgiving intentionally, you allow the devil to influence you against God’s will.

9. Pornography. It enslaves people and destroys relationships — just as the devil wants.

10. Following apparitions condemned by the Church. Sometimes, the devil uses false apparitions to lure people against the Church.