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We see in this world that when kingdom rises up against kingdom, there is war between them. Likewise, Christians have their enemies who rise up against them, and there is warfare with them. In the battle of this world, people turn against people. So in the Christian battle, Satan and his evil angels rebel against Christians. People rebelling against people are visible. But Satan and his angels, our enemies, are invisible to us. In the battle of this world, one opposing side sees the other, and so they fear each other. But in Christian warfare, Christians are seen by their enemies as demons, but they themselves do not see them. Fierce and grievous are our visible enemies. But more fierce and grievous are our invisible enemies, that is, demons. In a visible battle, the more evil and cunning the enemy, the more dangerous it is. But since there is no more evil and cunning enemy than Satan and his demons, then fighting with them is very dangerous for us. When people fight against people, they take a break from the battle for a while. But Satan and his evil angels never sleep, but are always awake and try to overthrow us. The fighting that happens between people, although it continues, nevertheless ceases, and peace is made. But among Christians there is a constant battle, even to death, against their enemies, and it will only end in death. It happens in a battle that the enemy retreats and seems to stop the battle, but it is all the more dangerous because he uses his cunning and plots how to more skillfully defeat the other side. This is what our enemy Satan does. Often he seems to retreat from us and stop the battle, but this is his cunning and deceit, since by this he plans to lead us into carelessness and carelessness, in order to more conveniently overthrow us. In battle, people come out against each other with weapons, they hurt and kill each other with weapons. So in a Christian battle there are weapons. Demons have their weapons, and Christians have their weapons. Demons beat us with the weapons of passions and our members. And they have as many weapons as there are passions in our flesh. Christian weapons are the word of God and prayer. With this weapon, Christians take up arms against demons and defend themselves, and invalidate the arrows of their enemies. Just as a warrior has a sword and other weapons, Christians have prayer and the word of God. A Christian without prayer and the word of God is like a warrior without a sword and gun. Warriors in battle always have a sword and weapons with them. Likewise, Christians must always be armed with the spiritual sword of the word of God and the weapon of prayer. For they constantly wage war against their enemies. Therefore, they are commanded: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Warriors in battle stay awake and act very carefully because of the enemies around them. Likewise, Christians in their battle must always be vigilant and act carefully, for they are always surrounded by enemies. Therefore it is said to them: “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him with firm faith” (1 Peter 5:8–9). The warriors in battle all unanimously stand against the enemy and fight. Likewise, Christians must all stand with one accord against their enemy the devil and fight. Warriors help each other in battle. Likewise, Christians should help each other against their enemy, sometimes with advice, sometimes with exhortation, sometimes with prayer. The enemy, when he sees his exhaustion, calls on other allies to help him. Likewise, our enemy the devil, when he himself does not succeed against a Christian, then looks for evil people and fights the Christian through them. Therefore, every Christian, when he seduces, persecutes, embitters his neighbor and in any way leads to sin, arms himself with the devil against him. Look, Christian, with whom you are in agreement! In battle, there are commanders and commanders who teach, instruct and encourage warriors to perform a good deed against the enemy. So in the Christian battle, the leaders are shepherds and teachers who arm Christians with the word of God against the enemy the devil, and teach and instruct how to stand and fight against him. The enemy in battle tries first of all to hit and beat the commanders and commanders of the opposing side in order to throw the entire army into disorder and confusion and thus destroy or capture it: the entire integrity and well-being of the army depends on the commanders and commanders, especially the wise ones. So in the Christian battle, the enemy the devil tries most of all to overthrow shepherds and teachers, so that it would be more convenient to capture and destroy other Christians. The entire integrity and salvation of the Christian congregation depends on pastors and teachers. Without a good and reasonable shepherd, Christians are like lost sheep. And when the enemy cannot depose the shepherd, he raises up people against him who do his will, so that they spread evil rumors about him, and so people do not believe his teaching. Therefore, it happens that pastors and teachers endure a lot of slander, reproach, slander, persecution and expulsion, as evidenced in all centuries. No one annoys this enemy more than shepherds and good teachers. They destroy his dark kingdom and power with the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit and steal Christian souls, his beloved prey, from his hands. Therefore, the evil spirit is not angry and furious with anyone more than with shepherds and teachers. So, beware, Christian, of slandering any person, and especially a shepherd and a teacher, so that you do not philosophize with the devil. In the battle of this world, people try to defend their borders and cities or take them away from the opposing side. But in the Christian battle it is different. The enemy the devil is trying not to capture cities, not borders, not our wealth, but our souls, not our body, but our soul, to destroy us forever, not to take away earthly and temporary bliss, but to take away heavenly and eternal bliss. This is what all his efforts and concerns are about - to bring us with him to destruction. Look, Christian, what is the malice, enmity and cruelty of your enemy against you, and beware of him. Not gold, not silver and other perishable substances, but an eternal and incorruptible treasure, your salvation the enemy is trying to take away from you. Take care of this not only more than your property, but more than your life. In the battle of this world, it happens that for those for whom from the beginning the events of the war turn out unfavorably, in the end things turn out well, and victory is attributed to those who ended the war so successfully. The side that is initially defeated wins at the end of the battle, and thus ends the battle successfully. This is what happens in the Christian battle. Many Christians from the beginning of their lives are defeated by their enemy the devil. But then, having risen by the grace of God and strengthened by the power of Christ, they firmly take up arms against the enemy and defeat him, and thus successfully end the battle. Well-being and ill-being depend on the end. It is not the one who started well who is prosperous, but the one who finishes well. The more a warrior experiences battles and battles, the more skillful and courageous he becomes. Likewise, the more often a Christian falls into temptations, troubles and misfortunes, the more skillful he becomes in Christian matters. Therefore the apostle says: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance; But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be complete and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). At the end of the battle, the winners return to their Fatherland with triumph and joy and receive honors from their Tsar. So Christians, having successfully completed their battle and blissfully ended their temporary life, go to the heavenly Fatherland with triumph and joy and accept the crown of righteousness from the Heavenly King, Jesus Christ. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; and now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who loved His appearing” (2 Tim 4:7-8). The apostle presents this Christian battle to us and equips us: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you can stand against the wiles of the devil, because our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. For this purpose, take on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having done everything, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girded with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and first of all, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery arrows of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Eph. 6:10–17). From here you see, Christian: 1) Christian life in this world is nothing more than a constant battle. 2) The battle is not against flesh and blood, that is, not against people, but against the devil and demons. 3) These enemies are invisible, very evil, hostile, cunning, they rebel against us and fight with us. 4) They try to take away not temporary self-interest, but eternal salvation from us and bring us with them to destruction. 5) Therefore, you see how fierce and difficult the battle is against these enemies. To do this, we must not doze off, but stay awake and act carefully. Here eternal salvation is either gained or lost. 6) This feat and victory cannot happen without the help of Christ. Here human power can do nothing. To do this, we must unceasingly pray and sigh to Christ the Hero—may he help us and strengthen us. We constantly demand His help, since our enemies constantly surround us. 7) Since our enemies are increasingly attacking our shepherds and teachers, all Christians should pray more for them - may the Lord help them. 8) Since the word of God and prayer are Christian weapons, then the one who abandons the word of God and prayer does so like a warrior who, being in battle, throws away his sword and weapon, and this is a sign that he has yielded to the enemy. 9) Having entered into a feat, do not be discouraged, do not despair, seeing such a terrible battle, but stand still. Christ encourages us, Christians: “Take courage, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Be brave, Christian! God stands for us. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). “With the help of God we will show strength, and He will destroy our enemies” 1 (Ps. 107:14). 10) Fallen and lying, stand up, as is usually the case with warriors in battle. They fall and get up, get hurt and get hurt. And do so, Christian! Rise to your feet and take courage, and calling on the Lord Almighty, Jesus Christ, for help, stand and fight. And He will certainly help you, seeing your diligence and diligence. He who became like you for your sake, and suffered and died for you, will help you. Warriors who are not accustomed to battle are at first afraid of fighting, but then they are not afraid, and they boldly go out into battle. So this feat is scary for you at first, but then it will be easy and convenient. Be bold, beloved, go and fight against your enemy. Christ is our King, Christ is our Intercessor, Christ is our Helper, Christ is strong and strong in battle. He calls us to battle and to feat against our enemy, who trembles at His name alone. He calls and promises to give us His help: “Take courage, for I have overcome the world.” And He will defeat it in us: only we will stand up and become good, and He will stand up to help us and stand for us, and there will be a pillar of strength from the face of the enemy. “Rise up, Lord! Help us and deliver us for Your name’s sake” (Ps. 43:27). 11) Shepherd, leader in this spiritual battle, see how reasonable and wise you should be! If in a visible battle, where people fight against people and flesh against flesh, skillful and wise leaders are required, much more in a spiritual battle there must be intelligent and wise leaders, where the battle is between people against demons, and between flesh and blood against invisible and cunning spirits. O shepherd! You, who must instruct and make others wise, most of all befits you to be wise in the word of God. You most of all need to gird yourself with the sword of the word of God, and put on your full armor, and stay awake, and act carefully in this battle, in which the adversary is trying most of all to wound you and overthrow you, and so protect yourself and others entrusted to you. At your hand all Christian souls will be required. Remember this, beloved, and put it in your heart, and do not slumber, standing guard over the Lord! 12) Warriors in battle encourage themselves with the hope of victory and the highest rank and fight so bravely. Beloved Christian! Your victory is not over flesh and blood, but over the spirit of evil, and therefore it will be glorious, and your crown, and honor, and glory, and praise, and peace, and triumph, not temporary and earthly, but heavenly and eternal, not from man, but from God, who cannot lie, are promised. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). For the sake of the temporary and perishable, the sons of this age labor and fight. Should we not fight for the sake of eternal and ineffable good? 13) The weapons of demons with which they fight us and lead us to evil are the evil thoughts they stir up in our hearts. They are the ones shooting at us. No matter how many times we deign to them, or think, or speak, or do evil, so many times we are defeated by them. No matter how many times we resist them, so many times we defeat them, and we honor our God, who mercifully visits and encourages us to fight them, who helps us to defeat them, strengthens us so that we do not weaken in battle, promises us an imperishable crown, so that we may persevere in feat to the end. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” In the battle of this world, people win when the other side is driven away. And vice versa, then they are defeated when they are inferior to their opponents. This is not the case in Christian battle. Then Christians win when they yield to their enemies; when they suffer evil from people, but do no harm to them themselves; when people scold and ridicule them, but do not scold or ridicule them themselves; when people beat them, but don’t beat them themselves, and so on. For when they yield to people, then they do not yield to the devil. This is a Christian victory, which consists of patience and not vengeance. A great plague to the devil and a most glorious victory for Christians when they love their enemies, bless those who curse them, do good to those who hate them and pray for those who oppress them and persecute them (See Matt. 5:44). Glorious Christian victory - to overcome the malice of your enemies with love and goodness! Christ set this example for us and showed us how to defeat our enemies; He prayed for His enemies: “Father! Forgive them” (Luke 23:34). Here's a Christian victory for you, Christian - not to take revenge on your enemies, but to pray for your enemies! “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). Since the word of God and prayer are Christian weapons, then listen and pay attention. The devil encourages you to sin, but you answer him in your heart: “I don’t want to, because this is disgusting to God, God forbade it.” The devil arouses in you a nasty and lustful thought - you answer him: “My God forbade me this.” The devil arouses in you anger and malice for vengeance - you suppress this thought with the sword of the word of God, saying in your heart: “God did not command this.” If the devil points you to someone else’s property and incites your heart to steal it, say in your heart: God has forbidden this: “You shall not steal, you shall not covet” (Ex. 20:15, 17). So with other thoughts that are contrary to the law of God that arise in your heart, act and see whether your thought agrees or is contrary to the law of God? Accept the agreement and put it into action. Repel what is contrary to the law, so that, having strengthened itself, it will not defeat you. An example in this was given to us by Christ, our Savior, who answered the tempter to every devilish temptation: “it is written,” “it is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Satan leads you to despair and says in your heart: “There is no salvation for you, you have sinned a lot, you have done so much evil.” You answer him: “You are a condemned person, not a judge, there is no salvation for you, but eternal fire is prepared for you. My Hope and Salvation is Christ God, Who came into the world to save sinners. He will save me too, since I too am one of the sinners whom He came to save.” But everywhere we need another weapon, that is, prayer, without which all our efforts and resistance are powerless. In any temptation, you need to lift your eyes to Christ and pray to Him: Lord, help me; or otherwise ask Him for help. Be strong, Christian, “in the Lord and in the might of His might” (Eph.6:10). And just as a gardener cuts off twigs and shoots that are harmful to a tree, so that when they grow, they do not damage the tree, so you should immediately suppress the evil thoughts that arise with the sword of the word of God and prayer, so that, having become stronger, they do not damage or kill the inner man. Extinguish the spark before it grows into a flame, and kill the enemy while he is small. If you do not extinguish the spark, then there will be a great fire, and if you do not kill the enemy while he is small, then when he grows up, he will become stronger, he will overcome and overthrow you. “Blessed is he who takes these babies and dashes them against a stone” (Ps. 136:9)! Translation by P. Yungerov – Editorial office of “The ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: