Doubt and the reality of an enemy in the shadows

In 2018, during his visit to San Giovanni Rotondo to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Padre Pio’s death, Pope Francis posed a direct question to the young people gathered there: “Do you believe the devil exists?” Faced with the audience’s hesitant silence, the pontiff concluded the question by reminding them that his presence is not an old wives’ tale or an abstract metaphor, but an active reality that permeates daily life.

This debate, far from being a mere theological curiosity, connects directly with a classic warning issued by C.S. Lewis in *The Screwtape Letters *. According to the British author, human nature often stumbles over two symmetrical and opposite errors: completely denying the existence of devils or falling into an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. From this perspective, the materialist and the sorcerer arouse identical enthusiasm in their adversary, whose first and most effective victory lies precisely in remaining undetected.

Beyond evil: The strategy of deception

To understand the action of the evil spirit, spiritual doctrine distinguishes between a purely evil person—one who commits crimes or material damage—and an evil entity , whose primary ambition is not physical crime, but the corruption of goodness and innocence.

The adversary’s main tactic operates under the guise of good ( sub angelo lucis ), disguising harmful proposals as modernity, freedom, or personal autonomy. In daily life, this influence manifests itself through a radical role reversal before and after committing a transgression:

• Before sinning: The devil acts as a seducer and advocate of transgression . He justifies wrongdoing under slogans of emancipation ( “everyone does it,” “one must be modern” ), while conscience or moral principles are falsely presented as a restrictive obstacle.
• After sinning: A complete reversal occurs. The accuser assumes the implacable role of executioner, seeking to drag the individual into despair and isolation—with the tragic historical example of Judas as its ultimate expression—persuading them that their sin is unforgivable. In contrast, the figure of grace and forgiveness then emerges as the true refuge and defender of the soul.

The secret trick of the saints and the spiritual arsenal

Faced with the constant pressure of temptations—whose intensity is limited by divine providence to avoid exceeding the limits of human resistance—, the Christian mystical tradition has developed practical responses that avoid direct frontal combat or sterile dialogue with temptation, terrain where the superior intelligence of the adversary usually gains the advantage.

Among the tactics documented by the saints, one that stands out is turning temptation into a wake-up call to virtue . Instead of giving in to discouragement, the classic response is:

• Perform an immediate act of humility or charity.
• To direct a thought of affection towards spirituality or faith.
• Use the obstacle as a springboard to deepen personal and moral growth.

The four keys to resilience

To deal with these dynamics on a practical level, the Church tradition proposes a fourfold arsenal :

1. The invocation of the name of Jesus and the appeal to the transformative power of his sacrifice.
2. The sacraments , with special emphasis on reconciliation and the Eucharist, accompanied by traditional sacramentals.
3. The intercession of the Virgin Mary and the heavenly court, led by Saint Michael the Archangel.
4. Humility and sincerity are fundamental tools to dismantle any strategy of isolation and seek appropriate spiritual guidance.

Far from paralyzing fear, the fundamental premise of this spiritual perspective is prudent vigilance , understanding that freedom and inner joy are based on the certainty that every difficulty can be transformed into an opportunity for personal growth and hope.