My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,
Christ is in our midst! He was, is, and ever shall be.
"LET LOVE BE WITHOUT HYPOCRASY.,
ABHOR WHAT IS EVIL CLING TO WHAT
IS GOOD" (Romans 12:9).
Our Savior Jesus Christ speaking of the healing of the bent woman said to the ruler of the synagogue: "And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:16).
Holy Scripture calls evil spirits "unclean spirits," "spirits of evil," "devils," "demons," "angels of the devil," "angels of Satan." Their chief, the devil, is also called the "tempter," "Satan," "Beelzebub," "Belial," the "prince of devils," "Lucifer" (the morning star).
Taking the form of a serpent, the devil was the tempter and the cause of the fall into sin of Adam and Eve, as described in Genesis, chapter 3. In the Book of Revelation, he is called "the great dragon, that old serpent" (Revelation 12:9).
Satan and his angels (demons) are deprived of remaining in the heavenly realm of light. Our Lord speaking to His Disciples of Satan He said: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18). Being cast down from the world above, the devil and his demons act in the world under the heaven, among humans on earth, and they have taken into their possession, as it were, hell and the underworld. The Holy Apostle calls them "principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of the world" (Ephesians 6:12). The devil is "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), and his "servants, the fallen angels, are the spirits of wickedness under the heaven" (Ephesians 6:12).
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ teaching His listeners how to pray said: "And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one." The existence of the evil spirit is revealed in Holy Scripture, which describes evil as emanating from the fallen angels. The Devil is not a mere theory, but a reality whose works are evident in the world of man, a world that witnesses wars, violence, coruption, injustice, poverty, deception, immorality, and hatred.
The miraculous power of our Lord Christ was exercised in many instances where physicians and remedies had no place, such as the miracle of resurrecting people, especially the raising of His friend Lazaros. The miracles conducted by our Savior were clear evidence of His Divinity. The main work of Satan has been to deceive and mislead the believers of God, keeping them from the faith, the Commandments of God, and from salvation.
There is no knowledge that Jesus Christ attempted to save the demons, whose purpose and mission is to destroy the communion between God and man. As everyone knows Satan as the author and originatros of evil CANNOT BE SAVED by Our Savior Christ, whereas man can be saved because he was drawn to sin (αμαρτία) by the powerful temptation of the evil one. According to Holy Scripture Satan and the demons will be destroyed at the Second Coming of Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:24).
The victory of the Christian over evil is his rebirth, his restoration to his original state in obedience and humbleness as stated in Holy Scripture. As the SALVATION of one man is the highest mission ofthe Church, so the highest damage for a soul is the destruction of his communion with God in the Person and salvific work of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
One of the most important works of Jesus Christ was the annihlation of evil, which the emons themselves recognized (cf. Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34). The destruction of the kingdo of demons was imperative for the establishment of the Kingdom of God. The power of Jesus Christ over demons is absolute; they are completely subject to Him (cf. Mark 1:27; Luke 4:41). The Gospel records many means used by Our Lord to confront and drive them out of people. Jesus knew the power, teh mthods and the purpose of the evil spirits, and dominated them accordingly. The power of Satan excercised in man has been diminished by believers in the Name of Jesus Christ. But this confrotation between the believers and demons still exist.
Orthodox Christians believers, as individuals and as members of the Christian community, should be alert and vigilant to overcome the temptations of the evil one, who is constantly on the attack. The believer with his divine qualities, should be always under the protection of the Grace of God, which alone can assure his victory over evil. It is a fact that man attributes his weaknesses to demonic forces. But one should use his won physical, spiritual, and mental powers to ward them off, because "each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own passion. Then passion (desire) when it has conceived gives birth TO SIN, and SIN when it is full grown brings forth DEATH" (James 1:14-15). The essential daily ascesis (exercise) of a person, in the name of Christ, is to learn His Gospel, and to pray to Him for strength not only to avoid sin but to gain victory over evil through faith.
The human race has had to face the verious demonic forces in society throughout human history. Due, however, to new pressures and moral corruption from within the secular society today has been empowered. The evils and vices of society have become the norm. Everything which is wicked and unethical is not only condoned by contemporary society but encouraged and promoted. Mankind is led astray from spiritual directions and dignity.
Tragically man is responsible in that he is in a position to discriminate and choose between good and evil. It is man who brings about his own downfall through his passions, weakness, and indifference, caused by inner forces which impel him to certain kinds of immoral behavior. This evil force within man makes him prey to the works of evil. The evil spirit develops and progresses through man’s indifference, negligence, and compomising attuted toward moral standards. This evil force works itself inside the spiritual vaccum that exists in men who cease to believe in God. The behavior of the world cannot be understood unless one remains aware of this fact. This "demonic" power works within an because he has rejected the Almight God from his life and is now cooperating with the "evil one," eihter CONSCIOUSLY OR THROUGH INDIFFERENCE. This evil power is more evident in among those who have completely lost their way.
There are some who have alowed the devil in, and in turn, the devil, with their consent, has removed God from their hearts. In stead their heart is filled with greed, anger, hatred, malice, violene, etc. Therefore, there is no longer any love, peace, warmth, joy, and hope. Other people are possessed by the demon of PRIDE and worship the idol of reason. However, without the Grace of the Holy Spirit, they soon discover that human reason is cold and devoid of any gratification or fulfillment.
When we witness horific events in the history of the world the tendency of men is to attribute them, and even blame, the Almighty God. Yet ills of man and secular society throughout the world can be derectly traced to the "evil one", Satan. Whether is be war, whether it be violence or killing, whether it be anarchy, whether it be revolution, it is the work of evil. Evil exploits the weaknesses of mankind and uses them against the human race.
The only way that mankind can free itself from demonic influene and forces is to renounce it and turn to God. The only way that men can change their sinful condition is by the grace of the Holy Spirit entering the soul. The Spirit of God can move men of evil to put their faith in God’s inspiration and turn to works of love and peace. By accepting the Spirit of God in their hearts, they will no longer be dominated by fear, ignorance, pride, and sinful life. Peace and love would reign in the hearts of men. Then, when days of trouble, temptations, sorrow, and heartache come upon them, they will have a source of comfort in the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will infuse into the hearts of men of evil, the gift of love. Obeying God’s Commandments and receiving salvation in the Kingdom of Heaven. Entire lives will be changed, their souls will no longer have an emptiness, they will be fulfilled and uplifted with the Spirit of God. The power of goodness can destroy the power of evil. The development of Christian principles and values, thus, is necessary to eliminate evil from life. Living the virtuous and pious life in Christ the believer finds illumination and inner peace.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:13-18; 6:10-11).
________________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unwworty servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 