If you were asked seven times today, “Do you renounce satan, all his works and all his empty shows?”, your answer for the seventh time would be, “Yes, I do.” So why does the devil keep coming back into one’s life even after being rejected or cast out through exorcism? It is often said that people frequent where they are celebrated and not where they are rejected or does some part of our life still celebrate the devil unknowingly that makes him want to come back in?
What do you do when you don’t want the devil back into your life? Exorcists recommend that you follow the guidelines below to preserve your soul in Christ.
- Frequent the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist
Sin can chip away at our relationship with God and can expose us to the enemy’s advances. God is ready to take you back if you repent. True repentance comes from a change of heart and a strong decision to change your ways, which prompts you to see needs for confession.
Confession is the primary way to put an end to our life of sin. It has such power and grace that the devil must flee a person who has taken a bold step to reconcile with God.
After confession, one should endeavour to receive the Holy Eucharist as this helps to ward off the devil especially when received in the state of grace. The presence of God in your heart won’t give the devil any chance to torment you. St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologiae strongly affirms that the Eucharist repels all the assaults of the devil. Frustrate the efforts of the devil by having Jesus present in your heart everyday through the Holy Eucharist.
- Consistent Prayer Life
Reconciliation with God is like a certification to talk to him. It is expected that you develop a habitual sense of prayer because a person who regularly converses with God should never be afraid of the devil. You may start with praying the Rosary because the devil is very much afraid of this great weapon. Also, study the scriptures as it will nuture and nourish your soul and make known to you the promises of God to shield you from danger.
- Fasting
Fasting drives the devil far away from us. Let us recall what Jesus said to his disciples, ” This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). This is evidence that fasting is a very effective way of keeping demons at bay.
- Sacramentals
Possessed persons are advised to frequently use sacramentals. They are a powerful weapon in the daily fight to keep the devil from ever coming back. Therefore, things like blessed water, blessed salt, brown scapular and others should be with us wherever we go.
To break ties with the devil permanently, you must put into practice all the four measures you have learnt above knowing fully well that Jesus got your back.
Summarized by Theresa Frances