Sacraments Versus The Devil

Dear Father,

How can Sacraments protect us from the Devil?  

The Sacraments are visible signs of grace.  The Sacraments give us Sanctifying and Actual graces.  It allows the Trinity to live within us.  Graces help us to know what is the different between good and evil, right and wrong, and guides our decision making.  The Sacraments strengthen our will to decide what is good.

The Devil, a fallen angel, tempts us by darkening our intellect.  For instance, if someone harms me, I may think that I should get even with that person.  It would seem that it's Justice!

But I hear about Jesus saying: Love your enemies.  So at Mass, I hear the words of Jesus and I try with God's grace to love and forgive that person.

Also, with the Sacraments of Penance, I can practice examination of conscience, and strive to hear God's voice and distinguish it to other types of voices or thoughts.  

Jesus says: "Blessed are those who are pure of heart, for they shall see God."

How do you battle to keep souls out of hell?

Hell is a place of torment, an absence of God's presence.  It is a place of misery and suffering.  First of all, in order to keep our souls out of hell, we must be aware of it.  

Just as there are consequences for our actions, there is also a serious consequences for disobedience to God.  

Some who do not believe that there is a hell, usually have no responsibility or accountability.  They can do anything they want and be able to get away with it.  

I remember when I was a kid and stole a piece of candy.  And my mother took me back to the store to apologize to the owner.  And i had to pay for it.  She taught me that there are always consequences for our actions.

Knowledge is freedom, and so to know that hell exists, to fear "the loss of heaven and pains of hell", in addition to praying for souls are great things for to keep souls out of hell.  Blessings.