Weapons of Grace: Five Essential Teachings and Tools for the Spiritual Battle
1. Who Has Authority Over Demons?
Christ is the absolute authority.
Demons obey only the command of God. Jesus Christ, by His Cross and Resurrection, has defeated Satan and given His Church power over the enemy (cf. Luke 10:19).The Church holds authority.
Bishops, as successors of the Apostles, have the fullness of authority. Priests share in that authority through their ordination and faculties granted by the bishop. This is why the solemn Rite of Exorcism can only be performed by a priest with explicit permission from his bishop.Laity have limited, delegated authority.
According to Fr. Chad Ripperger and others, lay people cannot command demons in the same way a priest can. But they do have natural authority:Over themselves (body, mind, soul).
Over their children (until they are independent). Parents can bless, renounce, and pray deliverance over their children.
Over their household and possessions.
Laity may not attempt solemn exorcism or issue commands to demons outside their authority. Instead, they use prayers of deliverance, renunciations, and the sacraments to close doors.
2. St. Thomas Aquinas on The Spiritual Battle
In the Summa Theologiae (I, q.114; II-II, q.90-96), Aquinas makes several key points:
Demons can only act insofar as God permits.
Sacramentals (holy water, blessings, the Sign of the Cross) have power against demons because they are linked to the Church’s prayer and Christ’s authority.
A person in a state of grace has greater strength and protection, since demons cannot touch the soul indwelt by God unless consent is given through sin.
3. How Humans Can Protect Themselves
State of Grace – The single most important protection. Frequent Confession and Holy Communion.
Sacramentals – Holy water, blessed salt, the crucifix, blessed medals (St. Benedict, Miraculous Medal).
Blessings & Renunciations – Parents blessing children; individuals renouncing spirits of sin (e.g., “In the Name of Jesus, I renounce the spirit of anger and unforgiveness”).
Guarding the Senses – Watching what enters through the eyes, ears, and imagination.
Prayer Life – Morning offering, daily Rosary, St. Michael prayer.
4. What About Demonic Neighbors or Environments?
We cannot control others, but we can seal ourselves in Christ:
Pray the Precious Blood prayer: “By the Precious Blood of Jesus, I seal myself, my family, and my home from every attack of the enemy.”
Sprinkle holy water or blessed salt around your property.
Dedicate your home to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts.
Avoid curiosity about occult neighbors—do not engage spiritually, but pray for their conversion.
5. Prayers That Can Be Used
Here are prayers recommended by exorcists (appropriate for the laity):
St. Michael the Archangel Prayer (short or long form).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (especially powerful when prayed slowly and intentionally).
Auxilium Christianorum Prayers (Fr. Ripperger’s deliverance prayers for the laity).
Renunciation prayers (e.g., “In the Name of Jesus, I renounce the spirit of lust and pornography. I claim freedom in Christ.”).
Psalm 91 – a traditional protection psalm.
The Rosary – as Our Lady at Fatima said: “Pray the Rosary daily for peace and the salvation of souls.”
Solid.