St. John of the Cross warns us that the devil is a dangerous enemy because he rarely presents himself in obvious forms of evil. His strategy is much more subtle: he deceives the soul by disguising evil with the appearance of good. Therefore, the saint offers us three key precautions to protect ourselves from his tricks and grow in spiritual life.

1. Always obey God and legitimate authority. Disobedience is one of the traps most used by the devil because it makes us believe that we can decide for ourselves what is right without submitting to the will of God. St. John of the Cross insists that we never make important decisions without the guidance of obedience because God prefers obedience over sacrifices.
2. Purify our gaze and do not judge superiors. The devil sows doubt and distrust in the heart, especially concerning those who guide us spiritually. For this reason, Saint John of the Cross exhorts us not to focus on the human defects of superiors or spiritual guides, but to see in them the will of God, thus avoiding pride that makes us fall into error.
3. Practice humility at all times. Pride is the devil’s way into the soul. The third caution calls us to always seek the good of others above our own, rejoicing in the achievements of others and avoiding vainglory. The devil flees from a humble soul because it is abandoned to the grace of God.

The spiritual struggle is real, but God gives us the necessary weapons to overcome it. If we live with obedience, purity of intention, and humility, we will be able to resist the attacks of the enemy and advance firmly on our path to holiness.

St. John of the Cross speaks of nine precautions, divided into three groups according to the enemies of the soul:

• Three precautions against the world
• Three precautions against the devil
• Three precautions against the flesh