Why do Catholics know the names of all the demons?

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:4, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (NIV). I got up Friday morning, the fourth day into my own personal battle with the H1N1 virus. If ever there were a time when I was “out of season,” it was then. My cough was extra-croupy. I was having difficulty breathing – so much so that I had to use a rescue inhaler. My voice was essentially non-existent, unless you considered a low, rumbly, grumbly, near unintelligible rasp a voice. I didn’t really want to go back to the doctor’s office, but if this got worse, I might be in real trouble. Plus, it was Friday and my doctor would not be in the office the next day if it did get worse. I managed to speak to my doctor’s office, who suggested that I come back into the office right after lunch. Friday afternoon in a doctor’s office – you can imagine how crowded it was – and I didn’t have an appointment. It was going to be a while.
I sat in the small, but crowded waiting room reading a book while I waited my turn (“Ethics for a Brave New World” by Feinberg and Feingberg – I recommend it to all Christians in this world of compromised ethics and upside down conviction). Sitting immediately adjacent to me was a fairly rough looking woman of middle age, who just a few minutes prior had been both smoking and coughing uncontrollably outside the front door (the waiting room was, of course, smoke free!). Without batting an eye, the woman looked directly at me and asked “Why do Catholics know the names of all the demons?” First of all, why ask me? There were about twelve other people in the room she could have asked. Second of all, why would I possibly know the answer to that? Did I look Catholic? Third of all, I don't think the Catholics claim to know the names of all the demons, just a few of them.
Since I was so “out of season,” I really didn’t want to be disturbed. Plus, I didn’t have a voice. As a result, I simply responded with “That’s really not something very relevant, is it?” and I went back to my book. Surprisingly, my voice was very normal. Very little rasp at all. She, however, was not satisfied with my trite response. “But I really want to know; don’t you want to know?” I wanted to say “Why would I want to know such a ridiculous thing?” Instead, I said “For me, I am satisfied with the grace that God has given me and knowing that it is sufficient for all things. I don’t really need to worry about the names of the demons.” Good answer. Now maybe I can return to my book? Nope, not yet.
It was clear that I was not getting out of this one when the woman responded back with (slightly paraphrased due to poor memory) “You know, there are so many truths to learn in all the religions of the world, I just want to piece them all together and find out the whole truth.” Ok, now it is a full on spiritual battle and an opportunity. Time to put the book down and actively engage.
I quoted her John 14:6 and explained to her how that Christianity was the only true religion because only through Christ can we achieve forgiveness of sins and heaven. I further explained how there was no need even considering the other religions of the world because we can not achieve salvation through them. At this point, I didn’t even think as to whether or not she was categorizing Catholicism as a separate religion or not, but that didn’t really matter. She retorted “But don’t the other religions have a measure of truth to them as well?” I further explained that when Jesus said he was THE TRUTH, he meant that he was the only truth. There is no other truth except the truth about Jesus Christ. Everything that God has chosen to reveal to us, he has revealed through the truth of His Word, the Bible. There it was. I had managed to get the gospel out there to a crowded room of sick people and my voice was holding up very well. My job was done, right? Wrong.
“I just think that God has called me to look into all these other religions too.” Really? Now it is time for the gloves to come off. I wanted to say “I don’t think that it is God calling you to do that, I think it is the devil!” but that would not have been “careful and patient instruction.” Instead, I challenged her a bit more gently: “I think that maybe God is calling you to believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your savior and the only one who can forgive your sins.”
There it is. She could either accept it or reject it, but she couldn’t ignore it. You know, one should never be surprised at how people respond when you are sharing the gospel. “Oh, I’m not worried about that. I’ve already done that.” Right – and I am supposed to believe you on that one?
For a few moments there was silence, broken by one last act of desperation on her part. “I’m just looking for some direction.” As amusing as this story is, what is not amusing is the truth of the utter confusion and delusional spell that Satan has cast on the world. People really are desperate for direction, but remain blinded to the truth when it is placed right before them. My compassion for this woman was now growing as I responded “Let me ask you a question, how much time do you spend reading God’s word and praying?” She lied. Well, I can’t honestly say I know that she lied, but do you believe that she spends a “significant amount of [her] time reading the Bible”? Neither did I. So I went on to explain to her that all the direction we need is in the Bible. Because it is the only source of truth, we can find comfort and direction and peace through that truth. Furthermore, when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, he sends the Holy Spirit to come and live in our lives and the Holy Spirit then helps guide and direct our lives if we let him and we listen to him.
Now there was truly silence and there were no more questions. Oddly enough, throughout the discourse, not one single person in the waiting room had been called to the back. When the door finally opened to call back the next patient, guess who it was. As the woman stood up to go to the back, I touched her arm and said these final words – “Go home tonight and read the Bible. First read the Gospel of John; then read Romans. I think you will find the direction you are looking for there.”
Maybe the conversation was for her. Maybe God was speaking to her – but maybe it was for someone else in the room. Someone who couldn’t help but hear what was being said. Either way, it reminded me that sharing the gospel is never really “out of season.”