Spiritual Warfare Explained: Catholic Teaching on Satan & Demons
29-Sep-2026
What does the Catholic Church actually teach about spiritual warfare, Satan, and demonic activity? In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Father Ken Geraci of the Fathers of Mercy walks through the biblical foundations of spiritual warfare — from Revelation 12 and the Garden of Eden to St. Paul's warning in Ephesians 6 — before explaining who Satan is, what powers demons truly have, and how the devil typically attacks through temptation.
Father Geraci breaks down St. Augustine's three stages of temptation, offers guidance on discerning the difference between ordinary struggle and authentic diabolic attack, and answers a question many Catholics wonder about but rarely ask aloud: can a baptized person become possessed? He also explains why the Church warns so strongly against occult practices, and shares Father Gabriel Amorth's striking teaching on the power of sacramental confession. The episode closes with a hopeful reminder of why Christians need not fear the devil, because of Christ's victory, the intercession of the saints and angels, and the protection of the Church.
This is a clear, faithful explanation of Catholic teaching on the devil, demons, exorcism, and spiritual protection — essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand spiritual warfare from an authentic Catholic perspective.