The demons work through thoughts. St. Anthony the Great—a man who spent decades in the desert face-to-face with demons—spoke of this directly: 'The demons have no power over us by themselves. They merely suggest thoughts to us—nothing more.'
What was he thinking? He refers not to the thought itself, but to the first impulse—a spark. Have you ever noticed this? You are calm, and then suddenly, for no reason, a feeling of frustration toward a loved one arises. Or a heavy, unnecessary gloom descends like a fog; or you suddenly want to say something offensive, and the words are already on the tip of your tongue."
Abba Dorotheos of Gaza described Eight Generic Logismoi (tempting thoughts):
1. Gluttony (gastrimargia): Excessive focus on food/drink.
2. Lust (porneia): Sexual immorality or delusional thoughts.
3. Avarice (philargyria): Attachment to money/possessions.
4. Sadness (lype): Grief arising from unsatisfied desires.
5. Anger (orge): Malice or rage.
6. Acedia (akedia): Spiritual listlessness, the "noonday demon".
7. Vainglory (kenodoxia): Seeking human praise.
8. Pride (hyperephania): Self-exaltation and separation from God.
Eight doors and at each door someone is waiting for us when we open it. Abba Evagree spoke not of sins, but of thoughts, of the first movement, because sin does not begin when we have done evil, but the moment we held on to a thought, we accepted it, we began to consider it. Abba Dorotheos of Gaza explains it this way: In the beginning, a thought comes. This is not yet a sin. Then we start talking to him, this is already a danger. Then we agree, this is already a defeat.
Three steps. Every single time. No exceptions. And the amazing thing is that this is exactly what is described in the Gospel, in the story of Christ's temptations in the desert. The devil did not force Christ with force, but offered, throwing away the thought: Turn stones into bread because you are hungry - this is reasonable. Throw yourself down, angels will catch you, that will prove your faith.
Bow down and ye shall receive all the earthly kingdom of the world - this is effective. Every time - a reasonable argument, every time - logic, and every time Christ responded with the word of God. Not with your own reasonings, but with the Word. This is a lesson for each of us. But here arises the question that is more important than it seems: If the devils only throw our thoughts at us, then they do not know what is inside us, then they act blindly? Pay attention here, because the answer to this question explains a lot of things in your life..
❤️🇮🇷 WATCH: The atmosphere on the streets throughout Iran is INSANE, as patriotic Iranians wait for Trump’s ultimatum to expire
MILLIONS are rallying nationwide for the Islamic Republic
🚨⚡ URGENTE: Ataque masivo sin precedentes: 450 misiles impactan en Israel en minutos
Una ofensiva de gran escala sacudió a Israel durante la noche, cuando cerca de 450 misiles Shahab fueron lanzados en cuestión de minutos hacia su territorio.
El ataque, calificado como inédito por su magnitud y velocidad, generó explosiones en múltiples zonas y activó los sistemas de defensa aérea. Las autoridades evalúan daños y posibles víctimas en medio de una escalada de tensión sin precedentes en la región.
In Iran, people know that the goal of the US and Israel in their aggression is not a nuclear bomb or a missile program or regime change.
Iranian resistance of the past 50yrs has angered and frustrated them.
They want to destroy the geography of #Iran and the people within it.