Episode Overview

Podcast: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Episode Title: The Devil’s Last Weapon Against You
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension Presents)

Main Theme:
Fr. Mike Schmitz offers hope and practical spiritual guidance for those struggling with habitual or recurring sins of weakness. He explores how the devil’s last, most potent weapon is not sin itself, but the discouragement and despair that can follow. The episode emphasizes God’s enduring mercy, the power of confession, and the need to claim daily freedom in Christ—even amidst weakness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Cycle of Sin and Discouragement

• Recurring Weakness: Many people experience discouragement when repeatedly falling into the same sins, feeling as if they are nothing more than "a slave of sin."

• Misconceptions about God’s Mercy: A common reluctance to go to confession stems from feeling like we are "using" or "taking advantage" of God’s mercy.

• Devil’s Tactic of Discouragement:

  • Before sinning, the devil says, “Go ahead and sin. You can just go to confession afterward.”
  • After sinning, he tries to convince us, “You can’t go to confession, not after what you just did. You’re beyond God’s mercy.”

  "On one hand, he says you need to presume upon God's mercy. On the other hand, you can't trust in God's mercy."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [02:10]

2. Confession: The Remedy and the Battlefield

• God’s Design of Mercy: The sacrament of confession is a gift from Jesus to restore, renew, and heal, especially when we are at our lowest.

• Discouragement Is the Devil’s Only Weapon Left: When we know the truth of God’s mercy, the enemy can only use discouragement to keep us from receiving it.

  "If we know that... the only weapon Satan has left is discouragement."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [03:06]

3. The Double Response: Humility and Hope

• Humility:
  Acknowledging our true weakness honestly: “I am this weak. I failed in the moment; I need Jesus’ grace.”

• Hope:
  Not hope in one’s own resolve (“this time I’ll do it right”), but hope rooted in Christ’s mercy and power.

  “I'm weaker than I thought, but he is better than I thought. I'm not gonna hope in me... I'm gonna hope in him.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [05:03]

4. Exercising Free Choice for Christ in the Midst of Weakness

• Establishing a Daily Resolution:
  Despite recurring failures from weakness, assert spiritual freedom daily by choosing to spend time in the presence of God.

• Simple, Repeatable Action:
  Fr. Mike suggests even a brief, three-minute visit to the chapel or church as a tangible declaration: “In my freedom, I choose Jesus.”

  "But here, I'm free. And... I'm gonna stop by the chapel for three minutes. And that's my declaration that no, while yes, I am bound by sin... I have freedom, and that in my freedom, I choose God."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [08:06]

• Confession as an Act of Freedom and Strength:
  Recognize that going to confession happens not simply in weakness, but in an assertion of one’s freedom to choose God.

  "When you and I are the most free, we choose him."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [10:20]

5. Plant Your Flag: Making a Declaration of Belonging

• Spiritual Practice:
  Physically and consciously “plant your flag” in God’s presence, as a symbol of your choice and belonging to Him, regardless of your struggles.

  "Plant your flag in his presence. Say, this is where I belong. This is where I want to be. Even if it's three minutes every day."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:26]

• Serious Sin vs. Serious Prayer:
  Invokes a classic saying that serious sin and serious prayer cannot coexist—one will eventually “kill” the other.

  “If I find myself in serious sin and weakness, then serious prayer and freedom is what you and I need. He will win.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [13:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Devil’s Contradiction:

  “Go ahead and sin because you can go to confession afterwards... Then, after we sin, he says, ‘You can't go to confession.’”
  [01:42]

• Hope Beyond Self-reliance:

  “I'm not hoping in my future perfection. I'm going to hope in him.”
  [05:18]

• Owning Weakness, Choosing Freedom:

  "Yes, in your weakness, you sin. But when you are your most free, you say, Jesus, I want you."
  [12:02]

• Daily Commitment:

  “Today, plant your flag. Today, go into the Lord Jesus' presence in the Eucharist and plant your flag and say I'm his. This is what I choose when I'm most free.”
  [13:41]

Segment Timestamps

• Discouragement after recurring sin, Confession as remedy – [00:00-03:35]
• Devil’s tactic: Presumption vs. despair – [01:20-03:10]
• Only weapon left is discouragement – [03:00-05:00]
• Need for humility and hope – [03:50-05:40]
• Exercise freedom by spending time with God daily – [06:10-09:40]
• Confession is an act of freedom – [10:10-11:20]
• Plant your flag in God’s presence – [11:30-13:50]

Tone & Closing

Throughout, Fr. Mike is empathetic, candid, and uplifting, using direct and conversational language. His tone inspires realism about personal weakness, but always orients the listener toward action rooted in trust in God’s mercy.

“My name’s Father Mike. God bless. I gotta get up and be on the road by 2:55 in the morning…”
[14:10] (signing off in his characteristic, approachable style)

Summary in a Sentence:
Even in our sins of weakness, God’s mercy is greater; don’t let the devil’s discouragement keep you from confession and daily choices for Christ—plant your flag in his presence and hope in him, not yourself.