Does It Seem Like You're Living in a War Zone?

Father Edward P. Nichols, 1988

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Fr. Ed Nichols dressed for the war against evil We Christians live in a war zone. Whether we like it or not, Satan and his aides and followers are trying to sneak in and confuse us to lead us away from God and His power. We must acknowledge that we are in the middle of spiritual warfare and use the power of God to overcome the power of the occult. We must pay attention to Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV):

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

I know from personal experience how real and sneaky and powerful Satan is. In my many years as a priest, I’ve often seen the need for spiritual warfare. I’ve prayed with many people who couldn’t understand why their physical or emotional problems were not healed by simple prayer. They needed to renounce various evil spirits that were blocking them from receiving God’s power of healing.

When those with this need seek appropriate guidance and support, then renounce the demons and receive prayers asking Jesus to send the demons away, a change occurs. The bondage of unloving attitudes is broken and God’s unconditional love flows in. I’ve seen it happen dramatically.

“Overcoming the Power of the Occult” outlines the reality of the occult’s power, and it teaches how to overcome it with the greater love and power of God. Everything written in it is in complete agreement with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Especially helpful are the appendices on prayers for help, danger signs of the presence of evil powers, the deceptions of the New Age movement, and the two-hundred-plus Scripture quotes about the occult and God’s greater power.

We live in a war zone amidst the strongest and most devious enemy ever created. I wish this book didn’t have to be written. But it did. I wish you didn’t have to read it. But you do, so that you can use the power and love of God to win the most deadly war ever raged.

Winning the War Against Evil

by Terry Ann Modica
Author of Overcoming the Power of the Occult

winning against the occult In Luke 10:21-24, Jesus tells his disciples: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” Every time we celebrate Mass, we meet Jesus — in all of his divinity and all of his humanity — in the Eucharist, which is his supernatural presence in the form of bread and wine. This is the Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life that conquers evil.

Protection from the evils of the war zone requires a close relationship with Jesus. We are vulnerable to the tactics and deceptions of the devil if we try to rely on Jesus apart from his bodily presence, which he’s made available to us in the Eucharist and the fellowship of those Christians in the Church who strive to be good imitators of Christ.

What evils do you need protection from today? The Eucharist and the Church community is a one-two punch that brings us victory in the war zone!

Testimonies of readers whose lives were changed

Dear Terry,
Thank you for Overcoming the Power of the Occult. I have read it and found it very edifying. Also, as I read Chapter 7 [“Witchcraft: the Power of Magic”], I realized I am a victor. I felt like I was standing on a great stone block labeled “VICTORY” – literally! The book has given me much more confidence as a Christian; now truly I am more than a conqueror!

The thing I liked most about the book was the fact that VICTORY is all through it. Other books and tapes on this subject leave the reader or listener feeling defeated. They make it sound as if witches, New Agers, etc. are all out there, waiting to get us, and there’s nothing we can do about it. But you and I know that is a lie! I plan to inform as many people as possible about your book.
M.F.

This letter came after Terry was interviewed on TV because of her book:

Dear Terry,
I think your coming on TV Sunday night and opening up about the occult is an answer to my prayers. I am one who has been drawn to this supernatural power, seeking answers to my problems, because psychics claim to be able to do things which God seemed unable to do in my life. After reading my Bible and failing to find what it says on this subject, I would rationalize it by saying, “Well, maybe this is a gift they have received from God to help others,” and “Look at the many famous people who are involved in it; it can’t be anything bad.” I would reason with myself, but deep down I was uncomfortable, so I knew it was wrong.

I have been contacted by every well known astrologer and psychic promising me all the good things in life. Even now as I am writing to you, I have some letters from them. Just before I watched you, I got one from California telling me of a “golden opportunity” that is coming my way shortly, and unless I know what to do it will pass me by and will not return again for twelve years. I replied to him quoting from the 3rd Epistle of John, letting him know that God is the only power and presence in my life, and that by praying to God and trusting by faith, I will receive all good because every good and perfect gift comes from God. This I did on Saturday, then you come on TV on Sunday and I was blessed by your openness and explanations. Please send me your book, Overcoming the Power of the Occult.
F.H.

Dear Terry,
Blessing and praise in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May His peace always sustain you and your entire family.

I read your book on the occult and I could not put it down.

People really need to know what they are getting into if it’s not of Jesus Christ. They even need to know who this Christ is.

May God continue to bless you and your every effort and your entire family. Know that my prayers for Love, Peace and Joy are with you.
D.A.

What about psychics who help people?

Q: If the occult is demonic, how can psychics help people? For example, we hear about families who are searching for their child who has been missing, and they go to a psychic who works along side of the police and they are able to find this child, sometimes murdered, sometime not. They are aiding in finding a solution. They are aiding in helping the families who are in such torment.

I am reminded of Satan disguised as a angel. What is the best answer to share with people who raise this question, other than God’s power is so powerful and that Satan tries to deceive? This is so hard for so many to understand, especially when they are hurting for their loved ones.

(Answers to other questions are found in Terry Modica’s book, Overcoming the Power of the Occult.)

A: There are three things to keep in mind about psychics ~

They fail more often than they succeed in finding lost children or with whatever they’re asked to help. But we tend to hear about and remember only their successes.

Just because they help people does not mean that their powers don’t come from evil spirits. Demons will do anything — including doing good — to get people to rely on the occult instead of turning to God for help. However, their “good” never is consistent nor dependable nor lasting, because their ultimate goal is to keep people away from God, who is the only One who is always good.

God never fails to help, never fails to do good. He offers the same supernatural gifts that Satan offers (actually, God offers them first and Satan only counterfeits them), but to develop those gifts from God requires us to get close and stay close to Him, because love is what makes the gifts work. If we don’t avail ourselves of that love, we flounder and fail at using the gifts, because we’re trying too hard to do it on our own. God wants to work with us, as partners. On the other hand, Satan makes supernatural gifts easy to get, because love is not part of it, and he dangles the carrot right within our grasp so that we will follow him as he leads us away from God and His love and His greater gifts. Satan wants to partner with us, disguising himself as goodness or as God Himself, so that he can gain control over us and over our lives and bring us destruction and misery in instead of love. And he knows he has to do it slowly and subtly so we don’t notice how far we’re getting away from God.