“Diabolic Wars”

 

The Devil is so 'kind' that he is anxious about you, fears that you may fall into 'extravagance' and calls you to limit your struggling. 

When you are in deep spiritual practices, he says to you, "there is no need for all this, the fathers teach us that the medium way has saved many...". Accordingly he says, "Beware of extravagance lest the devil should strike you with a right blow which is harder, and lest you should fall in vain glory which is the worst evil of all vices." He even proceeds to say, Undoubtedly, this extravagance in struggling is the work of the devil and he does not intend any good for you! Hearken to the words of the Holy Bible, "Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?" (Eccl 7:16). 

The 'kind-hearted' devil pities you when you weep for your sins... 

He says to you, "Why do you weep and live in sadness, this is not the way of God... Did not God forgive your sins and wipe them out with His Blood? Why then do you weep for them? 

Do you want to keep weeping till you destroy your nerves and your soul and be shown up before people? Did not the Holy Bible say, "Rejoice in the Lord always..." (Phil. 4:4). He goes on pressing till you lose the humility of heart, lose the tears of repentance and cool down. 

Thus, it becomes easy for you to sin and perhaps you return to sinning. Of course, he makes you forget the words of the Bible, "... by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better." (Ecc. 7:3). 

The 'kind-hearted' devil justifies your mistakes for you so that your conscience may not be weary. 

He prevents you from rebuking yourself, having regard for your feelings! He is 'compassionate' for you lest you should fall into sorrow and despair! Thus, in all your mistakes he offers you various excuses and justifications advising you, "Do not say of everything, 'that it is wrong' , and do not rebuke yourself exceedingly or this will lead you into suspicions. Indeed, this is wrong, but you did not mean it. Your intentions are good and they intercede for you and God looks into intentions... It is wrong, but what could you have done? The circumstances were pressing and believe me, if I had been in your place I would have done nothing else. God does not require from you that which is beyond your ability; so do not be distressed.. 

" By justifying your mistakes, he puts your conscience at ease, so that you are able to swallow a camel, He gets you away from repentance, from caution and from being on guard and from honesty in the little things. 

The 'kindness' of the devil is not charity, but a means of overthrowing people. So beware of him, do not listen to him, be firm with yourself and behave cautiously. Be sure that the devil is dishonest in all his wars against you; all his pieces of advice are not faithful even though they may have a good appearance. He wants nothing but your perdition.

“Diabolic Wars”