Three Faces of Satan (30 Days of Mostly Silence-Day 19)

Ignatius uses three metaphors to describe how Satan acts in our lives:

At times Satan behaves like a spoiled child. Think Veruca Salt of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Veruca was spoiled rotten. Her father constantly gave in to her increasingly unreasonable demands, only causing Veruca to become more insistent and more unreasonable. Ignatius saw that sometimes this is how Satan acts. When we give in to a particular demand/temptation, this only emboldens him. He becomes more insistent and bolder. What’s the solution? Immediately stand your ground. Quickly say “No!” as soon as the first demand/temptation arises. Satan will lose heart and move on.

At other times, Ignatius saw, Satan behaves like a false lover. To modernize the image, we might consider a political scandal-because the fundamental issue here is secrecy. From Sansford to Schwarzenegger, the media regularly uncovers public figures involved in illicit affairs. But what these fallen figures have striven for secrecy. They’ve taken great steps to keep the lid on their actions. Ignatius observed that this is often what Satan seeks. He strives to tempt us and then, once we’ve given in to the temptation, to keep the transgression hidden. What’s the solution? Confession. Acknowledging our sins to ourselves, our God, and to a trusted companion.

Finally, Ignatius wrote that Satan acts like a military commander. He shrewdly and mercilessly pursues his enemy in battle. We might think of Darth Vader from Star Wars fame. He searches for any weak spots and places of unpreparedness, and looks for the time when our guard is down. What’s the solution? Preparation. Ignatius urges us to fortify our weaknesses and build our strengths before Satan attacks.

This, of course, reminds us Jesus’ own temptations in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry. There Satan met Jesus three times, using three ploys, hoping at least one of them would dissuade Jesus from his mission. Each time, however, Jesus resisted. He remained steadfast.

What makes this all the more remarkable is that Jesus’ “No!” to Satan and “Yes!” to God also meant “Yes!” to the cross. The cross was the ultimate consequence of Jesus resisting Satan’s attacks and embracing God’s purposes. It’s a sobering reminder that standing firm against Satan, no matter the form of his attack, may not necessarily lead to ease and comfort. But it will lead to the kind of life that God uses for unimaginable good.