Here are the secret whispers of Jesus to Saint Faustina on how to protect herself from the attacks and temptations of the devil. These instructions became Faustina’s weapon in fighting the good fight.
Jesus began, “My daughter, I want to teach you about spiritual warfare” (1760). (The Lord’s words are in bold text; my comments follow.)
- Never trust in yourself but abandon yourself totally to My will.
Trust is a spiritual weapon. Trust is part of the shield of faith that St. Paul mentions in chapter six of Ephesians: the armor of God. Abandonment of God’s will is an act of trust; faith in action dispels evil spirits. We should have to abandon ourselves totally to the will of God under any circumstances.
2. In desolation, darkness, and various doubts, have recourse to Me and to your spiritual director. He will always answer you in my name.
In times of spiritual warfare, we have to pray to Jesus for the right solution to the present problems. We might have fear and dullness. Bring darkness into the light by telling a spiritual director or confessor and follow his instruction.
3. Do not bargain with any temptation; lock yourself immediately in My Heart.
In our temptations, we should not demand or bargain with God. Let us have an open mind to dedicate ourselves to giving our hearts and soul to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
4. At the first opportunity, reveal the temptation to the confessor.
A good confession, a good confessor, and a good penitent are a recipe for victory over temptation and demonic oppression—without fail.
5. Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds.
Self-love is an important matter. But it should not lead to pride. Practice humility to defeat the attack of the devil. Satan tempts us to disordered self-love to lead us into his pool of pride.
6. Bear with yourself with great patience.
Patience is a secret weapon that helps us to keep our peace of soul even in the great storms of life. Bearing with oneself is part of humility and trust. The devil tempts us to impatience, to turn against ourselves so we become angry. See yourself from God’s view. He is infinitely patient.
7. Do not neglect interior mortifications.
We can keep away the demons by prayer and fasting. The forty days of fasting Jesus made strong enough to overcome the temptations of worldly life. We can have small sacrifices offered with great love. The power of sacrificial love evicts the enemy.
8. Always justify to yourself the opinions of your superiors and of your confessor.
Christ is speaking to St. Faustina who lives in a convent. But we all have people in authority over us. The devil aims to divide and conquer so humble obedience to authentic authority is a spiritual weapon.
9. Shun murmurs like a plague.
The tongue can do both great harm and goodness. Murmuring, gossiping, never come from God and goodness. The devil is a liar who stirs up false accusations and gossip that can kill a person’s reputation. Shun murmurs!
10. Let all act as they like; you are to act, as I want you to.
To mind, one’s own business is key in spiritual warfare. The devil is a busybody attempting to drag everyone down. Please God and let the opinions of others go by the wayside.
11. Observe the rule as faithfully as you can.
Jesus is referring to the rule of a Religious Order here. Most of us have made some vow before God and Church and we should be faithful to our promises—i.e. Marriage vows and baptismal vows. Satan tempts to infidelity, lawlessness, and disobedience. Fidelity is a weapon for victory. Hence always try to keep our vows in mind and practice it.
12. If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer.
We should have to give what we have. Even if we are badly attacked by others, think of the positive side of our life and give them the best in us. What good can we do in return? Returning a blessing breaks curses.
13. Do not pour out your feelings.
A talkative soul will more easily be attacked by the devil. Do not pour out your feelings to everyone. Remember, the good and evil spirits hear what you say aloud. Feelings are fleeting. Truth is the compass. Interior recollection is a spiritual armor.
14. Be silent when you are rebuked.
Most of us have been rebuked at some time. We have no control over that but we can control our response. God knows the truth, so let it go. Go through such a condition very patiently, the right will come to you very soon. Being in silence is a protection. The devil can use self-righteousness to trip us up also.
15. Do not ask everyone’s opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him.
The simplicity of life can drive out demons. Honesty is a weapon to defeat Satan, the Liar. When we lie we put a foot in his camp and he will try to seduce us all the more.
16. Do not become discouraged by ingratitude.
No one likes to be taken for granted. But when we are met with ingratitude or insensitivity, the spirit of discouragement can weigh us down. Resist all discouragement for it is never of God. It is one of the devil’s most effective temptations. Gratitude in all things wins the day.
17. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you.
The need to know and curiosity about the future is a temptation that has led too many people into the backrooms of psychics, witches, etc. Choose to walk in faith. Decide to trust in God who leads you on the path to heaven. Resist the spirit of curiosity always.
18. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My heart.
Jesus delivers the same message a second time. Now He refers to boredom. Earlier in the Diary, he told St. Faustina that the devil most easily tempts idle souls. Beware of boredom, a spirit of lethargy, or acedia—the noonday devil. Idle souls are easy prey for demons. Be about the business of God.
19. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us.
Fear is the second most common tactic of the devil (pride is the first). Courage intimidates the devil—he will flee in the face of persevering courage that stands on Jesus, the rock. All people struggle, God is our provision.
20. Always fight with the deep conviction that I am with you.
Jesus instructs a Sister in a convent to “fight” with conviction. She can do so because Christ accompanies her. Christians are called to fight with conviction against all demonic tactics. The devil tries to terrorize souls, demonic terrorism—resist! Invoke the Holy Spirit throughout the day.
21. Do not be guided by feeling, because it is not always under your control; but all merit lies in the will.
Emotions can pull you into the abyss of evil. If we cannot get any control over them, we might have the children of the devil. Realize that we are completely free in Christ. We must make a choice, a decision for good or evil.
22. Always depend upon your superiors, even in the smallest things.
Lord is our superior always. As he is our master, we are supposed to obey him. We should be loyal to Him in the smallest matter. Proclaim Him through our lives.
23. I will not delude you with prospects of peace and consolations; on the contrary, prepare for great battles.
St. Faustina suffered physically and spiritually. She was prepared for great battles by the grace of God who upheld her. Christ clearly instructs us in scripture to be prepared for great battles, to put on God’s armor, and resist the devil. Be vigilant and discerning always.
24. Know that you are on a great stage where all heaven and earth are watching you.
We are all on a great stage where heaven and earth are watching. What message is our life-giving? What radiates from us—shades of light, darkness, or grey? Our life is to be analyzed by heaven always. If we radiate the light of goodness, the devil will run away from us.
25. Fight like a knight, so I can reward you. Do not be unduly fearful, because you are not alone.
The Lord’s words to St. Faustina can become our mantra: Fight like a knight! A knight for Christ knows well the cause that he fights for, the nobility of his mission, the King who he serves, and with the blessed assuredness of the victory, he fights to the end, even at the cost of his life. If a young, uneducated, simple Polish nun, united to Christ, can fight like a knight, every Christian can do the same. Trust is the only element we need for victory.
(Quotes from the Diary of St. Faustinaare copyrighted by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, Mass.)