Spiritual Warfare

[Shin]

Well.. Ghostlike hmm..

I missed something here, but if you mean they are not transparent or translucent beings well naturally, a demon can look like anything it wants to, since it is a spiritual being and not a material being. It can affect the material world to a certain degree, by acts of will, they have this ability naturally. So they can stimulate the visual senses to see what they desire it to see.

The spirit is generally said to be something purely intellectual, without material substance. Without any 'substance' at all perhaps? I do not know how set in stone this is, but at least St. Thomas follows it. I have heard there might be a 'spiritual substance' school, if I am using the right words but I have not found the right writings on the topic to expand on the subject.

So let's go with something like the classic definition. Speaking very loosely, spirit is pure intellect, no material substance.

In other words, think of yourself without a body, just being your thoughts.. purely.. You would be invisible, but you would be where your attention was focused.. and yet at the same time since you did not materially exist, you would not be there after a fashion. You would have no length, breadth, density, depth.. you would just be intellect.. and all the intellectual parts you contained..

You would be wherever you focused your attention to be.  

I do think there are particular appearances that best represent what they look like morally and intellectually, they are often described as in bestial forms when they do appear, or as 'snakes' or 'scorpions' which I think goes towards their spiritual nature more than appearance but nevertheless.

When I think of myself without a body, but being who I am, thinking .. It seems to me the existence of the soul, the spiritual self is self-evident. I know 'I'... I 'know' I exist. And this is more than the material can do. Material is just substance. It has effects, it can record things.. it can be as a computer can be.. But it does not have the 'being' of existence, and never can. We can design AI programs to fake it.. but it's all just going through the motions. There's nothing but emptiness inside.

I've seen demons, I do not often like to speak of it, but I have seen them. I know other people who have, it is not so uncommon. Most people do not simply speak of it, or do not realize what it is, writing it off as something else. It is not politically correct and socially acceptable to speak of having seen a demon. And the newspapers make it clear that people who do are generally crazy, though they do not go into the 'which came first' aspect of that.

Semi-transparent, translucent, yes that would be common enough. Capable of taking on any appearance, pleasing or horrible, attracting or repelling, yes. And as St. Teresa reacted, yes, you do not need to be startled or disturbed. You simply pray and let it be. They can only do as much as God allows. If they seem to be allowed too much, it may be that our sin is allowing them to do what otherwise they could not do. Giving them authority, since we have put off the authority of God -- and they, as intellectual beings who have always been meant to be purely spiritual, are far more adept in that realm than we in many ways.

[Patricia]

Have any of you watched the movie 'Exorcism of Emily Rose'? I liked it. Its based on a true case. And I liked the priest who is the exorcist in the movie. A good example of patience in tribulation. His lawyer is a doubter about the existence of evil spirits till she actually encounters it head on. Satan shifts his anger toward her because she fights the good priest's case.

[Brigid]

Well.. Ghostlike hmm..

I missed something here, but if you mean they are not transparent or translucent beings well naturally, a demon can look like anything it wants to, since it is a spiritual being and not a material being. It can affect the material world to a certain degree, by acts of will, they have this ability naturally. So they can stimulate the visual senses to see what they desire it to see.

The spirit is generally said to be something purely intellectual, without material substance. Without any 'substance' at all perhaps? I do not know how set in stone this is, but at least St. Thomas follows it. I have heard there might be a 'spiritual substance' school, if I am using the right words but I have not found the right writings on the topic to expand on the subject.

So let's go with something like the classic definition. Speaking very loosely, spirit is pure intellect, no material substance.

In other words, think of yourself without a body, just being your thoughts.. purely.. You would be invisible, but you would be where your attention was focused.. and yet at the same time since you did not materially exist, you would not be there after a fashion. You would have no length, breadth, density, depth.. you would just be intellect.. and all the intellectual parts you contained..

You would be wherever you focused your attention to be.  

I do think there are particular appearances that best represent what they look like morally and intellectually, they are often described as in bestial forms when they do appear, or as 'snakes' or 'scorpions' which I think goes towards their spiritual nature more than appearance but nevertheless.

When I think of myself without a body, but being who I am, thinking .. It seems to me the existence of the soul, the spiritual self is self-evident. I know 'I'... I 'know' I exist. And this is more than the material can do. Material is just substance. It has effects, it can record things.. it can be as a computer can be.. But it does not have the 'being' of existence, and never can. We can design AI programs to fake it.. but it's all just going through the motions. There's nothing but emptiness inside.

I've seen demons, I do not often like to speak of it, but I have seen them. I know other people who have, it is not so uncommon. Most people do not simply speak of it, or do not realize what it is, writing it off as something else. It is not politically correct and socially acceptable to speak of having seen a demon. And the newspapers make it clear that people who do are generally crazy, though they do not go into the 'which came first' aspect of that.

Semi-transparent, translucent, yes that would be common enough. Capable of taking on any appearance, pleasing or horrible, attracting or repelling, yes. And as St. Teresa reacted, yes, you do not need to be startled or disturbed. You simply pray and let it be. They can only do as much as God allows. If they seem to be allowed too much, it may be that our sin is allowing them to do what otherwise they could not do. Giving them authority, since we have put off the authority of God -- and they, as intellectual beings who have always been meant to be purely spiritual, are far more adept in that realm than we in many ways.

A wonderful exposition on this, Shin (much better than I could do ).

I think - tell me if I'm wrong Bailey - that what you meant by ghostlike is like the friends of Casper.
Hollywood versions. At least that's how I understood you.

I've heard, on the radio, a couple of exorcists say that although "The Exorcist" is dramatized and Hollywood has put in their special effects, that "Exorcism of Emily Rose" is fairly accurate as far as a full possession and the exorcism of it. My daughter saw it and really liked it, but said it would be too scary for me to see. I trust her about the movies I can take. She knows my G and PG capabilities .

[Patricia]

I think you would be scared watching 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose', Brigid. It is not as scary as the' Exorcist' though. You would love the character of the priest in the movie.
Bailey, have you watched it? I don't think Shin has since he does not watch t.v.

[Brigid]

I think you would be scared watching 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose', Brigid. It is not as scary as the' Exorcist' though. You would love the character of the priest in the movie.
Bailey, have you watched it? I don't think Shin has since he does not watch t.v.

I was able to watch (while hiding my eyes every so often) 'The Exorcist' but I was also around 20. 20s are able to take more than 50s.

[Bailey2]

It probably came across as an oversimplification; 
no, I have not only never had an experience of demons, I have also not had an experience of Eucharist or the Holy Spirit....... at least not for several years now.......... in fact, I feel and experience nothing about nothing; not in prayer, not in thought, and if I try, I am besieged with doubt since I am well educated in psychology but more relevant,  neuro-psych.  I also have nightmares easily so no exorcist films for me...... and even that little thread about the details of end days gave me a nightmare...... my sensitive nature........

I thought this was a thread about spiritual warfare and I assumed that was the war between good and evil, so it would be manifested in sin and virtue.  I am very concrete; I don't pay much attention to things I can't understand or can only conceptualize, mostly because of the above and also because of my experiences with depression, which distorts thought and can leave a lasting painful impression upon the brain.  So,  I just say, "well it is just as plausible as it might not be and so I just ascent since the church teaches it.  Lord I belief, help my unbelief."  I do the same for Eucharist and Holy Spirit inspiration, re: my writings.
As I said, I feel and experience nothing at all...... and I mean nothing at all, in my emotions or my intellect.

Off to work.........

[Patricia]

So,  I just say, "well it is just as plausible as it might not be and so I just ascent since the church teaches it. 

Your faith is strong. That is what matters finally.

[Shin]

So,  I just say, "well it is just as plausible as it might not be and so I just ascent since the church teaches it. 

Your faith is strong. That is what matters finally.

Yes truly!

 

[Brigid]

So,  I just say, "well it is just as plausible as it might not be and so I just ascent since the church teaches it. 

Your faith is strong. That is what matters finally.

That is exactly what Jesus wanted us to do. You are like the centurion of whom Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel." Matt 8:10

[Bailey2]

Well you are all so sweet.  I guess I explained it better this time.   

[MarysLittleFlower]

I think much of what I experience as spiritual attack is somehow related to sin, but a couple times it wasn't. Once, I felt a very evil presence in my house but it went away when I sprinkled the room with holy water. (and I used a lot of it, lol.)

Another time, I experienced probably the worst thing that's ever happened to me... it was like something was trying to get into my mind, there was such a sense of oppression. I felt completely sure that I am going to hell simply because I am Catholic, and that I must get out of the Church. This was soon after my conversion. It was such a horrible feeling that I thought I was either possessed, or insane. I prayed but nothing helped... then I took my Rosary and put it around my neck, because that's what I read St Dominic and St Louis de Montfort used to do when people were assaulted by demons. I called upon Mary for help.. and instantly, everything went away and my mind returned to normal. It took me the whole evening to get over this though.

Demons are real

[Shin]

I use a lot of it too, the more the merrier..

Did someone ask something about blessed salt on some thread? I forget? Blessed salt is used in making holy water.. the proper blessing from the older prayers of the Roman Ritual contain exorcisms blessings for it too. And so it is useful especially in spiritual warfare because of this.

Also, it doesn't dry up.

This I might add, seems key. 

Try to get holy water blessed with the old Roman Ritual, it will be more effective, the prayers have more to them. 

[MarysLittleFlower]

I use a lot of it too, the more the merrier..

Did someone ask something about blessed salt on some thread? I forget? Blessed salt is used in making holy water.. the proper blessing from the older prayers of the Roman Ritual contain exorcisms blessings for it too. And so it is useful especially in spiritual warfare because of this.

Also, it doesn't dry up.

This I might add, seems key. 

Try to get holy water blessed with the old Roman Ritual, it will be more effective, the prayers have more to them. 

how do you get holy water blessed with the old Roman Ritual? Do the FSSP bless water in this way? because next year I'll be living in a new place and I'll be able to attend an FSSP parish every week. 

[Shin]

I use a lot of it too, the more the merrier..

Did someone ask something about blessed salt on some thread? I forget? Blessed salt is used in making holy water.. the proper blessing from the older prayers of the Roman Ritual contain exorcisms blessings for it too. And so it is useful especially in spiritual warfare because of this.

Also, it doesn't dry up.

This I might add, seems key.  

Try to get holy water blessed with the old Roman Ritual, it will be more effective, the prayers have more to them.  

how do you get holy water blessed with the old Roman Ritual? Do the FSSP bless water in this way? because next year I'll be living in a new place and I'll be able to attend an FSSP parish every week.  

God is looking after you! To have [edited] around is priceless.

Some of the priests who do not do the traditional mass, will still do the traditional Roman Ritual blessing. The only way to find out if they do so, is to ask if they do it or not. I had the blessing of having such a priest near me when I lived upstate. Whew.

Whether you can get the older stuff or not, never be without holy water. It's priceless, and used devoutly, washes away our sins.

[Patricia]

I will ask for the old Roman ritual when I get holy water blessed next time. An older priest may know it . Thanks for all the tips.

I called upon Mary for help.. and instantly, everything went away and my mind returned to normal. It took me the whole evening to get over this though.

Isn't our loving Mother prompt to rescue us?

My daughter who experienced evil in a very strong manner as I've told above experienced the same relief when she started praying Hail Marys.

Another time , years back we were driving  up the wrong way on a one-way street late at night (don't ask why, that is another story ) I literally saw cars coming at us. I had my oldest child who was then a baby in the back seat and I was petrified. All I could muster was the Hail Mary and I didn't even get the words right. Not a single car hit us, though there was a din of angry honking  and we got into a parking lot and were safe. Phew, even the memory of that makes me cold with fear of what could have happened . I believe it was Our Lady to the rescue even though I jumbled up the Hail Marys.

[Patricia]

What is the full form of F.S.S.P.? Is it the SSPX?

Secondly, Shin I think you missed an earlier question Brigid and I asked. What should be the material that blessed candles need to be made of. I got candles from wal mart , and they are vanilla, and got them blessed. Is that wrong?