Spiritual Wars

In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda speaks about the reality of spiritual wars to which man is exposed from the fall of Adam and Eve until the life of Christ and the Church. He mentions that these wars included Christ’s temptation in the wilderness for forty days and that the devil attacks in many ways (temptations, inner lusts, conspiracies from people) and wants to swallow the person as the lion does.

The Pope addresses the sources of strength for victory: trust in God, strength in the Lord, and putting on the full armor of God (by faith and verses and prayer and fasting and liturgies and love and biblical commitment). He emphasizes that victory is not only by the power of divinity, but by the victory of human nature in Christ and by the fellowship of faith.

He repeats practical advices: do not fear the demons, be strong in the Lord, watch and be sober, resist sin and be steadfast in faith. He warns against laxity and leniency with sin that leads to gradual slipping, and presents biblical examples (Job, David, Solomon, the prodigal son, Samson) as cautionary lessons.

He explains that spiritual wars strengthen the believer if accepted with patience and humility: they confront the weakness of nature and reveal God’s help, and increase the believer’s compassion for others. He also affirms that the devil may take a theological appearance or use words that appear religious to deceive, so one must hold to what one has of faith and the Word.

In conclusion he mentions that these wars continue throughout life and that we must always be prepared with God’s full armor and spiritual work and relying on the intercession of the saints and the prayers of the Church.

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