The Devil’s Clickbait

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky ( bio - articles - email ) | Aug 17, 2026

A mortal sin, from pride to lust, is only one click away. The Devil has always exploited human weakness; today, technology gives temptation unprecedented reach. Clickbait may be one of his preferred modern instruments.

The Devil is a narcissist, and all the clicks in the world that are occasions of sin won’t satisfy him. Since the time of Adam, he has been trying to influence us. But as Catholic theology affirms, the Devil cannot compel our wills. He can tempt and deceive us, but we must freely consent to sin.

The Gospel reveals an encounter between Jesus and a Canaanite woman with a daughter possessed by a demon (cf. Matthew 15:21-28). The pagan woman, of course, is somewhat of an interloper, with the disciples treating her with disdain. So, with an audience, Jesus initially seems to rebuff the woman, declaring that it isn’t right to feed those outside the Jewish fold.

But the woman persists, arguing that even little dogs are fed table scraps. Without rancor, Jesus draws out her faith. He graciously responds, revealing the power of persistent and humble faith.

Every Catholic schoolboy knows the story of the rebellion of the fallen angels led by Lucifer and the great battle in heaven, led by St. Michael the Archangel. In envy and hatred for man, the Devil and his minions make appearances throughout Revelation.

The Devil tempts our first parents, and they commit Original Sin. God promises that the Redeemer through Mary will crush the head of the serpent and free us from our enslavement to sin. Later, God allows Satan to test the just man Job. Apostate Jews sacrifice children to the demon Moloch. The Devil appears again as Jesus launches His sacred ministry and tempts Him in the desert. Jesus gives us a simple, powerful command to resist the Devil: “Begone, Satan!”

Jesus repeatedly casts out demons, revealing His authority over Satan and the powers of darkness. Jesus even sends the Apostles to enter into combat with the demons. They occasionally fail. The Gospels remind us that some forms of demonic oppression can be particularly stubborn and require persistent prayer and fasting. Prayer directs our mind to God. Fasting harnesses our lower appetites.

The Sacred Liturgy makes several references to the Devil. During Baptism, we renounce the Devil and all his works. We use blessed water and other sacramentals in our homes and invoke God's protection and grace. In extreme situations, priests use extraordinary prayers to target the Ancient Foe. As recommended by Pope Leo XIII, we frequently recite the St. Michael prayer, especially after Mass.

In the Book of Revelation, St. John reveals the final confrontation between good and evil. The enemies of God are defeated, victory is final, and a “new heaven and a new earth” emerges in glory.

But during his reign as Prince of this World, we need not exaggerate the Devil’s influence. With God’s grace, a devout practice of the faith resists him: holy water; a simple Sign of the Cross; a good Confession; the devout reception of Holy Communion; a firm resolve to avoid sin; the courage to confront evil honestly.

The Devil's influence is not limited to spectacular temptations or demonic manifestations. He also works through the gradual erosion of moral formation. In a lengthy interview a few decades ago, President Richard Nixon made a provocative observation that most prominent politicians avoid. He suggested that we could trace most of our social (and many personal) problems to the failure of the clergy—priests, ministers, and rabbis—in teaching morality. Even Church institutions often think we can solve every social problem by throwing money at it.

Hence, we see the hand of the Devil in the explosion of emotional problems rooted in moral disorders from pornography, substance abuse, greed, and every capital sin. Let’s toss a few remedial javelins that may sting:

• Your mission in life is to go to heaven. Do you take that for granted, or do you work out your salvation in faith, and, occasionally (as Saint Paul writes), in “fear and trembling.”
• Dads, is your faith a priority? Do your kids know that it’s a priority? Studies suggest that children often reject religion when dad neglects the faith, even if mom is devout.
• Mothers, are you attentive to the little things? When a child steals an item from a brother, it may seem like “no big deal.” But untended little weeds (and naughtiness) grow into big weeds.
• Parents, do you regulate the array of modern technology available to you and your kids? Or do you use electronic gadgets as babysitters?
• Young people, let’s be honest. The world is awash in pornography, and human misery enriches billionaires. Pornography rots souls.
• It’s helpful to remember that behind those pornographic images are youngsters, usually loved by mothers, but always loved by God. The thought of exploitation to get a fix of lustful dopamine is ugly.

In the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel tells us (cf. Daniel 13) the rich and honorable Joakim takes the beautiful Susanna as his wife. Two old men, who frequented Joakim’s house, were “inflamed with lust” toward Susanna. The account is an epic story of lust and heroic virtue. Read it.

There is a time for gentleness. And, as Nathan the prophet taught us with his confrontation with King David, there is a time for abrupt correction. If you’re caught up in pornography, you may ask yourself: “Do I want to enter my twilight years as a dirty old man?”

Nowadays, we have cellphones. Those big data centers know our every move, our every text and phone conversation, and every click we make. So does God. Every sin known to man is just one or two clicks away.

The Christian life is not a perpetual search for the Devil. It is a life of turning toward Christ. Let’s make every parish an oasis of grace, goodness, virtue, repentance, worship, and happiness. “A house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:7)