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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Spiritual Warfare, II	Mary	Sunday, March 7, 2010
Question: Dear Br. Ignatius Mary, I've been wondering if the state of mind that people often have wile watching TV, using the internet, playing video games, etc.(that is, pretty much not thinking and being absorbed in their entertainment) is often an opportunity to be influenced by the devil. I don't just mean being influenced by negative content in the tv program,or game. Thanks and God bless you, Mary
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Mary: Well, watching TV, browsing the Internet, video games and such are not necessarily non-thinking. In any event, there is nothing wrong with these activities, and no advantage of the devil per se when we participate in these activities. The opportunity for the devil is not these activities as such, but the content of these things. If mere focused state of mind into an activity gave the devil an opportunity then he would have an opportunity when we drive a car, watch a baseball game, watch a religious movie, or mediate upon an image of our Blessed Mother. In all these activities the mind is engaged. What does give the devil an opportunity is when dis-engage our minds, empty our minds, such as through Eastern Meditation and some hypnosis techniques. No, these activities are not an automatic opportunity for the devil, but the content of the activities can give the devil a big opportunity. That is why St. Ignatius teaches: "All should take care to guard with great diligence the gates of their senses (especially the eyes, ears, and tongue) from all disorder, to preserve themselves in peace and true humility of their souls..." And St. Paul says: (Phil 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. And this is why we pray in the St. Michael Chaplet: "...give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions." God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Spiritual Warfare, II

Mary

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Question:

Dear Br. Ignatius Mary,

I've been wondering if the state of mind that people often have wile watching TV, using the internet, playing video games, etc.(that is, pretty much not thinking and being absorbed in their entertainment) is often an opportunity to be influenced by the devil. I don't just mean being influenced by negative content in the tv program,or game.

Thanks and God bless you,
Mary

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Mary:

Well, watching TV, browsing the Internet, video games and such are not necessarily non-thinking. In any event, there is nothing wrong with these activities, and no advantage of the devil per se when we participate in these activities.

The opportunity for the devil is not these activities as such, but the content of these things.

If mere focused state of mind into an activity gave the devil an opportunity then he would have an opportunity when we drive a car, watch a baseball game, watch a religious movie, or mediate upon an image of our Blessed Mother. In all these activities the mind is engaged.

What does give the devil an opportunity is when dis-engage our minds, empty our minds, such as through Eastern Meditation and some hypnosis techniques.

No, these activities are not an automatic opportunity for the devil, but the content of the activities can give the devil a big opportunity. That is why St. Ignatius teaches:

"All should take care to guard with great diligence the gates of their senses (especially the eyes, ears, and tongue) from all disorder, to preserve themselves in peace and true humility of their souls..."

And St. Paul says:

(Phil 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

And this is why we pray in the St. Michael Chaplet: "...give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions."

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.