Fasting, the Reading of the Gospel, and the Struggle Against Evil Thoughts Drive Away the Devil
February 10
(A Discourse on the Abba Makarios the Great)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
February 10
(A Discourse on the Abba Makarios the Great)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
Speaking to you about the means given to us for combating the devil — means that serve to shame him and drive him away from us — we have already pointed to prayer, humility, the reading of the Psalter, diligence in labor, and prayer to the Holy Archangel Michael. Now we intend to speak of the benefit of several others as well, namely: fasting, the reading and study of the Gospel, and the struggle against evil thoughts.
Once, as Venerable Makarios was sitting by the roadside, he saw the devil in the form of a man, hung about with various vessels and heading toward a nearby monastery. By his prayer the Venerable one stopped the demon and asked him, “Where are you going?”
“I am going to visit the brethren,” came the reply.
“And what are those vessels you are carrying?” asked the Venerable one.
“These,” answered the demon, “are various dishes for the monks.”
“And why do you have so many with you?” asked Makarios.
“So that if one does not please them, I may treat the brethren with another. If they do not accept one evil counsel or suggestion of mine, then I will propose another, even worse one, and in this way I will catch someone,” said the devil, and he went on his way.
The Venerable one remained to await his return. When he came back, Makarios asked, “Well, how are your affairs?”
“Bad,” answered the demon. “Almost all the monks did not accept me, and only one listens to me a little.”
“And what is his name?”
“Theopemptos,” replied the devil, and vanished.
Makarios then went to the monastery. Learning of his approach, the monks came out to meet him with palm branches in their hands, and all of them, each vying with the other, invited him to their cells. But when he learned which of them was Theopemptos, he went to the latter and was received with joy. A conversation began.
“How are you getting along?” asked the Venerable one of his host.
“Well, by your prayers,” replied Theopemptos.
“And do evil thoughts trouble you?” continued the elder.
Ashamed to confess them, the monk said that they did not trouble him.
“What a fortunate man you are!” exclaimed the Venerable one. “I have been fasting for so many years, and as you see, everyone honors me, yet vile thoughts still give me no peace.”
Then Theopemptos confessed: “Yes, Father, I too am greatly possessed by the spirit of lust!”
The elder then questioned him about other evil thoughts that assailed him, and Theopemptos confessed to very many of them.
“How long do you fast each day?” Makarios asked afterward.
“Until the third hour in the afternoon,” answered the monk.
The Venerable one said to him: “Try to keep the fast until evening; read and study the Gospel and the writings of the Holy Fathers; if an evil thought comes, with all the strength of your soul drive it away from yourself, and the Lord will help you to overcome the enemy.”
Theopemptos promised to follow the elder’s advice, and Makarios departed from him.
Soon after this he again encountered the devil and, to his question, “Where are you going?” again received the answer, “I am going to visit the brethren.”
Once more, after waiting for the demon’s return, the Venerable one asked as before, “How are your affairs?”
“Very bad,” answered the devil. “Now all the monks without exception have rejected me, and Theopemptos with them. I do not know who has so corrupted him, for today he was worse for me than all the others.”
After this the demon disappeared, and the Venerable one returned to his cell, glorifying God.
Seeing from this how unbearable fasting, the word of God, and the struggle against evil thoughts are for the devil, let us also use these means in our battle with him and set them against our common enemy. He uses every measure to destroy us; and we, on our part, must use every measure to overcome him. He has declared an implacable war against us; and we will declare one against him. He goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; and we will go out against him clothed in the whole armor of God. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
