О брани с диаволом

The crafty devil, after a decisive victory over him, sat down, complained about himself with tears and said: “Alas for me, poor one! What have I been subjected to, wretch? How did you leave the battle, conceding victory over yourself? However, I myself became the culprit of this shame, having started a fight with them for a long time. Those who were defeated in the first and second battles should have immediately come to their senses that Christ is with them. And now, pursuing victory over the saints, I only, to my dishonor, increased their reward and, defeated, retreated in great shame, with my head ulcerated from my own blows. For I have laid nets to catch them; and they, having captured them, broke my head. They also took my sharp arrows that I threw at them, and with them they killed me. I wanted to overcome them with various passions, but they put me to flight by the power of the cross. Therefore, I justly endure, the greatest madman, who, without wanting to, allowed me to see that my opponents were well-skilled. I needed to come to my senses after what I suffered from Christ, after He had overthrown all my power. For then I did everything to crucify Him; and His death put me to death. I again suffered the same thing from the martyrs, being subjected to shame, disgrace and laughter. I stirred up the kings, prepared torment, so that the martyrs, seeing this, would be horrified and deny Christ. Not only were they not horrified by various executions, but they confessed Christ until their death. So now, wanting to defeat these in battle, I retreated, defeated, with great shame. I am unable to bear the shame to which I have been subjected. I boasted of great plans, but my power and all my dominion were overthrown by insignificant people. Finally, I don’t know what to do and how to justify myself? Insignificant and ignorant people received a crown of victory; and I, the unfortunate one, remained in shame, darkened, struck with horror, my strength became impoverished. Therefore, I don’t know at all what to do, poor me, and what to do, having fled from these courageous ascetics; I will go to my friends who have chosen a carefree life, where there will be no work for me and no need for tricks. For, having taken the bonds from them themselves, I will bind them with them, and having tied them with the bonds to which they are committed, I will already have them at hand, like slaves who always voluntarily fulfill my desires, so that, at least in this case, having gained the upper hand, I will come to my senses somewhat, and boast about them as a valiant warrior and winner. For, although by their way of life they will plunge themselves into the abyss, nevertheless I will rejoice in their destruction, and with joy I will lead them onto the path of destruction, so that I may have accomplices in the unquenchable fire.” So, brothers, having recognized the weakness of the enemy, let us be attentive to ourselves, competing with our fathers. If we follow the path they walked, we will find the Lord Jesus on it, who has become our leader and helper. And as soon as the enemy sees that Christ, the true Light, is with us, he will not dare to look us in the face, because the light that is in us blinds his eyes. So, according to what was said before, Christ-loving brethren, let us strive to purify our hearts in order to attract the grace of the Spirit to help us; and the enemy will no longer strengthen itself against us. We ourselves, unreasonable ones, give him strength, alienating ourselves from God by rejecting (rejecting) the holy commandments. Having caught us naked from grace, the enemy himself leads us on his path. Therefore, I beg you and constantly ask: let us flee the evil one, we flee from him, let us break the bonds with which he has tied us according to our own will. Let us take refuge in Christ, bearing the good and easy yoke of His mercy, so that, walking the good path of Christ’s commandments, we may reach the city that God has prepared for those who love Him. To Him belongs honor and splendor (splendor), the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto ages of ages! Amen. You might be interested in: