Is spiritual warfare real? Exorcist explains

There is a battle that no one can see because it takes place in the spiritual realm, a priest said on Sunday.

"Sa mundong ating ginagalawan, may nakikita at hindi nakikita. Sabi nga ni Saint Paul, ang pinaka matinding digmaan ay nangyayari sa hindi nakikita," said Fr. Ramon Unson Merino, an exorcist and parochial vicar of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Makati, in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(In the world we live in, there are things that are seen and unseen. As Saint Paul said, the most intense battle happens in the unseen [realm].)

Merino pointed out that the devil can affect people's lives in different ways.

He cited unexplained illnesses and sudden business failures as possible forms of what he described as oppression by the devil.

"May iba pa pong paraan kung saan tayo ay naapektuhan ng demonyo. Mayroon pong oppression, ito yung mga pangyayari sa ating buhay na napakahirap ipaliwanag tulad ng isang karamdaman na hindi ma-diagnose, yung magandang Negosyo na biglang bumagsak, oppression po 'yan," said Merino.

(There are other ways that we are affected by the devil. There is oppression, which refers to events in our lives that are very difficult to explain, such as an illness that cannot be diagnosed or a successful business that suddenly collapses.)

"Mayroon din pong obsession, yung ating minds na either the spirit puts negative things in our mind," he added.

Merino also warned of what he described as "openings" through which the devil could enter people's lives and potentially lead to possession.

"Yung occult is very popular in the Philippines, opening 'yan. Ikalawa, yung younger generation, lumalayo sa Diyos. Kapag lumayo kayo sa Diyos, ibang Espiritu ang papasok. Ikatlo, iba na yung takbo ng mundo ngayon. Yung mali ginagawang tama," he said.

(The occult is very popular in the Philippines, and that is an entry point. Second, the younger generation is straying from God. When you stray from God, a different spirit comes in. Third, the way the world works nowadays has changed. What is wrong is being made to look right.)

Unforgiveness and mortal sins could also provide openings for the devil's influence, he added.

As Filipino Catholics observe All Saints' Day, Merino said the intercession of saints could help people in their spiritual battles.

"Tayong naglalakbay sa lupang ito, pansamantala lang. Ang ating desire ay buhay na walang hanggan. Itong mga saints na ito ay magandang halimbawa," he said.

(We who are journeying on this earth are here only temporarily. Our desire is eternal life. These saints are great examples.)

"Taong-tao sila, may pagkukulang, may kahinaan, pero tumugon sila sa kagustuhan ng Diyos. Sa spiritual warfare, yung kanilang intercession ay very, very powerful," Merino added.

(They were human, with shortcomings and weaknesses, but they responded to God's will. In spiritual warfare, their intercession is very, very powerful.)— MCG, GMA News

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