Even When Demons Heal the Body, They Do So to Kill the Soul: Examples of the Sick Who Refused Sorcery and Divination
Be convinced and believe, brother, that only God is the true Healer of souls and bodies. Sorcerers and demons do not heal genuinely; they only appear to do so. Let’s assume that by God’s allowance, they might heal the body, but know this: they do so only to kill your soul. How? By separating you from faith in Christ, luring you into believing in and serving them. What profit is there, brother, even if your body, which is alive today and dead tomorrow, is healed, while your immortal soul is being destroyed? What gain is there in receiving a little health here, only to suffer eternally there? Such health is ruinous! Such a life is ruinous! Death is ten thousand times preferable to such health and life, as the Golden-Mouthed John (Chrysostom) says: “Even if they do heal, it is better to die than to join the enemies of God and be healed in that way. For what benefit is there in healing the body when the soul has perished? And what gain is there for those who will be cast into the unquenchable fire if they receive some healing here?” And again he says: “Though the demon has healed, he has caused more harm than good, for he has helped the body that will soon perish entirely and rot, while he has injured the immortal soul.”
The devil, brothers, is the most cunning of all. He will give you a little health just to deprive you of paradise; he will extend your life slightly just to torment you forever. “Do you not see,” says Saint Chrysostom, “that the crippled man was on his bed for 38 years, half-dead, yet bravely endured his illness, waiting for God’s help, without seeking sorcery or amulets? And you, Christian, after suffering only a few days, why are you so impatient that you run to sorcerers and fortune-tellers? Do you not see that Lazarus lay at the rich man’s gate throughout his life with so many wounds, so weak that he couldn’t even drive away the dogs licking his sores? Yet he preferred to die in that weakness rather than seek amulets and charms. And you, what excuse will you have when, for a slight fever, you run to drunken, wicked old women? Do you not see that courageous Job, who after losing his children and possessions, was covered in sores, with worms emerging from every part of his body, unable to eat bread because of the stench? Yet, though he could have ended his suffering by cursing God and dying, as his wife suggested, he endured manfully and did not utter a single blasphemous word. So why are you so impatient that for a small wound you despise Christ God, your faith, and the saints, and run to God’s enemies—sorcerers, fortune-tellers, and demons—to be healed? And what excuse will you have for that?” Saint John Chrysostom asks: “Truly, what excuse will we have, when they endured such things with bravery, while we run to sorcerers and fortune-tellers and invite them into our homes?”
Sorcerers and Diviners Must Be Rejected, Even If They Invoke God’s Name
But you say, “That old woman is a Christian, and that sorcerer is a Christian; when they perform their spells and give amulets, they only invoke the name of God, of Christ, of the Theotokos, and the saints. So what harm do they do?” To this, the divine Chrysostom answers, saying that you should despise that old woman and that wicked sorcerer even more because they use God’s name for mockery and dishonor, behaving like pagans despite claiming to be Christians. For even the demons, though they invoke the name of God, remain demons. “Some people, trying to defend themselves, say that the woman who performs these things is a Christian and says nothing other than the Name of God; that is precisely why I especially despise and reject her because she has used the name of God for mockery, and though she claims to be a Christian, she shows herself to be one with the pagans. For even the demons invoked the name of God and said to Christ: ‘I know who You are, the Holy One of God,’ yet He rebuked them and cast them out” (Mark 1:24).
The Devil Should Fear Christians, Not Christians the Devil: The Devil’s Power Depends on the Christian
The dominion that the devil currently holds, and the deception he employs, cannot be carried out without our personal will and God’s permission. For the devil attacks man and wages war against him with evil thoughts, but it is within man’s will to either accept or reject these thoughts. Thus, Saint John of Damascus says:
“The demons are allowed to attack man, but they cannot force anyone, for it is up to us whether we accept or reject their assault. So why do Christians fear the devil, who cannot harm you in any way?”
The devil should fear you, not you him, for you are clothed in the armor of God. You carry the sign of the holy cross as a sword, with which you strike terror into all demons even from afar. You bear the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as a double-edged sword, at which the demons tremble in fear. If you keep the commandments of the Lord and become true friends and warriors of the Heavenly King, you should consider the devil’s sorceries and tricks as worthless and insignificant, striking him down as if he were a mere animal, a small bird, a scorpion, or an ant (Luke 10:19). If you so desire, the devil will shrink and diminish to the size of an infant. But if you allow it, he can become so large that he roars like a fearsome lion, seeking to devour you. That is why Saint John Chrysostom rightly says of him: “If we desire it, he is great; if we desire it, he becomes small. If we remain vigilant and stand with our King, the devil falls and is no more formidable than a small child in the battle against us. But if we abandon the King, the devil swells and roars, gnashes his teeth, for he has caught us and deprived us of the great alliance with the King.”
Testimonies of Demonic Influences on Humans – St. Paisios of Mount Athos
St. Paisios of Mount Athos, one of the most revered spiritual figures of the 20th century, offers profound insights into the ways demons can influence humans. His teachings emphasize the importance of spiritual vigilance and the power of faith in overcoming such influences.
Recognizing Demonic Influences
St. Paisios teaches that demonic influences often manifest subtly, taking advantage of human weaknesses such as pride, anger, and despair. He explains that demons are cunning and will use any opportunity to lead a person away from God. These influences can appear as negative thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, or even as deceptive visions that seem holy but are meant to mislead.
The Power of Faith and Prayer
One of the key teachings of St. Paisios is the importance of faith and prayer in resisting demonic influences. He emphasizes that demons have no power over a person who is steadfast in their faith and who regularly engages in sincere prayer. The Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”) is particularly powerful in this spiritual warfare.
The Role of Humility
St. Paisios also highlights humility as a crucial defense against demonic attacks. Demons thrive on pride and arrogance, but they are repelled by humility. By acknowledging our own weaknesses and relying on God’s strength, we can protect ourselves from demonic deception.
Spiritual Discernment
Spiritual discernment is another critical aspect of St. Paisios’s teachings. He advises that not all spiritual experiences are from God and that one must discern the source of such experiences carefully. Consulting with a spiritual father or guide is essential in this process, as they can provide wisdom and guidance in distinguishing between divine inspiration and demonic deception.
Examples from the Life of St. Paisios
Throughout his life, St. Paisios encountered many individuals who suffered from demonic influences. He provided them with spiritual guidance, emphasizing the need for repentance, regular confession, and participation in the Holy Mysteries of the Church. His deep understanding of the spiritual realm, combined with his profound compassion, made him a source of comfort and strength for those struggling with demonic oppression.
Conclusion
St. Paisios of Mount Athos offers invaluable teachings on the nature of demonic influences and the means by which they can be overcome. His emphasis on faith, humility, prayer, and spiritual discernment provides a clear path for Christians seeking to protect themselves from the wiles of the devil and to live a life in communion with God.
