Also, if one uses sacramentals and does not live a holy life, then the sacramentals are useless, for the greatest demons live in our hearts.
By a holy life, I mean sincerely trying to repent of your sins on a daily basis, obeying the Ten Commandments, obeying Christ’s commandments, obeying the laws of the Church, and devoting some portion of your day to prayer (thirty seconds of prayer will do … in a pinch). A holy life is a life of charity and love, and without the intent of a holy life, sacramentals are useless.
You can’t walk around and be a Grinch and expect Sacramentals to protect you from the Devil–for when you’re a Grinch, you become an imitation of the Devil.
On the other hand, sacramentals in combination with a holy life is a dynamite way to keep demons away. Demons fear a humble soul totally devoted to God, and they also don’t like holy items.
Sometimes Demons will attempt to attack you if you are trying to be a holy person. Sacramentals help keep the nasties from attacking you directly. This is their best use.
In my own experience, these Demonic attacks come at you, most of the time, through other people. The Evil One sees he can’t get to you directly, so he enters the hearts of friends, family, and coworkers and uses them to attack you and tempt you into sin. I’ve gotten wise to some of the enemies’ tactics, so when one of my family members or friends seems to “go off their rocker” and verbally assault me for no good reason, I try to keep my reaction to a minimum. I assume their attack on me is largely driven by the Snake.
It ain’t easy, however, because the Evil One often changes form and tactics. The Devil ain’t dumb.
Sacramentals do help. They are powerful if used in faith. But most of all, I really, really try to live a holy life. I get up every day and pick up that cross! I pray to make all my daily actions a prayer and I try to make the Will of God at the center of all these actions.
OH! You might also find this useful. Definition of “Sacramental” from the Online Catholic Encyclopedia
newadvent.org/cathen/13292d.htm
I hope this helps.
God bless you, and Merry Christmas.