WIDESPREAD DEMONIC ACTIVITY INSIDE THE CHURCH

Elders, some clergy and even some discerning laity are realising that the Church is under unprecedented demonic attack at all levels and all circumstances.

Yes it has always been under attack through the centuries, and certainly it was under horrendous attack in the communist east in recent times. But in the former communist east, the Church is now free and rebuilding on a massive scale.

Forget the last thousand years in the schismatical west. But now in the west the Orthodox Church is taking its turn to be under heavy attack. Why? Well the western “churches” all of them are not the true Church and can only lead mankind astray, they have been a demonic playground for the last thousand years. The Orthodox Christians on the other hand are the real thing. Satan, having totally subdued what passes for Christianity in the west is not going to stand idly by as the true Church moves in. Hence the frenzied attacks. You think your friend, priest, bishop cannot be the vessel of a demonic attack? Think again.

It is, therefore the serious business of all Orthodox Believers to read the fathers, read the Elders, Read the Scriptures, seek out a true spiritual guide and learn to discern what is a demonic attack and what is not. We must become experts in order to be able to seek immediate help and fend it off.

The world of fallen spirits is invisible to us but it can prove that it exists. Moreover, its manifestation often happens in circumstances when one least expects it. Evil spirits (demons) can contaminate our hearts with ideas, which we mistake for our own. The ideas they would like us to accept are those that lead us to sin and prevent us from turning to God. They tamper with our will by provoking salacious desires and muffling the voice of conscience, by getting us to enjoy only earthly pleasures.

Demons are like skillful psychologists who look at our weaknesses and use this knowledge to make their assault more and more effective. The Lord says, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation (Matthew 26:41). You cannot identify the devil’s tricks without vigilance and a constant connection with God.

Abba Evagrius said, “some of the filthy demons tempt the human side of man, whereas others seek to manipulate his animal side. The former come and plant vainglory, or pride, or envy, or faultfinding, that are alien to all the inarticulate ones; the latter come and arouse anger or lust that are outside of the limits of nature.

Saint Anthony the Great used to teach that demons begin tempting every Christian who succeeds in spiritual living through wily thoughts first. If the ascetic is unaffected by them, they attack him using delusions. Then they take the guise of prophets in order to make the ascetic believe them as though they tell the truth.

Elder Efraim said: My children, with a complete sacrifice of our self-will and desires we must declare war against the devil, the world, and our evil tendencies and weaknesses. The “old man” of passions must leave our heart, and the man in God’s likeness must be born, that is, with dispassion and the purity of both heart and body.
Struggle with courage and with trust in God. The devil will attack you with worldly desires now and then. Nevertheless, you must keep the stance of a vigilant soldier so that you do not become spiritually drowsy and be killed by the devil. Be careful, for the adversary is roaring ferociously, seeking whom he may devour with vile passions.

Elder Hilarion of Athos said: Those people who do not have Divine diligence, are not true Christians and harm laymen. These pseudo-Christians compromise us.