Reference: Talking Back A Monastic Handbook for Combating Demons by Evagrius of Pontus. Translated with an introduction by David Brakke. Liturgical Press Collegeville, Minnesota. 2009.
Spiritual warfare is a topic little known or understood by most. This book is a real gem to describe very specifically methodology from the word of God to combat evil and dangerous thoughts that confront us to keep us from exhibiting the righteousness of God. When Satan rebelled against God in Heaven and departed, he was followed by one third of the angels of Heaven and they have wreaked havoc on humanity ever since. It is their task to keep us separated from our faith in God the Father, Jesus the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. But we can fight back and this book presents a practical application from the Word of God to do so!
"Sometime in the final decade of the fourth century, a monk named Loukios wrote to Evagrius of Pontus, one of the leading spiritual guides among the monks of the Egyptian desert. Calling him 'honored father,' Loukios asked Evagrius to compose for him a treatise that would explain the tactics of the demons that try to undermine the monastic life."...Talking Back concerns itself exclusively with the monk's combat with demons, a topic that has not interested many modern historians and theologians." (Introduction). The monk's struggle with "virtue, purity of heart, and thus for salvation" is not just something worthy of study from sixteen hundred years ago, but something topical and timely for all, who desire to pursue a life of nobility. The Name of Jesus spoken out, when addressing demonic attacks is the strongest deterrent and weapon for those, who trust in Jesus as Savior. Demons must depart from us, if they have obtained a foothold via entry to our spirit due to unconfessed sin or lack of forgiveness and we say, "Demon (identified), in the Name of Jesus, I command you to submit to me because I take on the authority of Jesus to overpower you."
When spoken in that manner, often one coughs and it is the demon being expelled. My "Go To" website for education and information on spiritual warfare is www.delmin.org, a ministry site based in Oklahoma City. The founder of the ministry Everett Cox has become a personal friend of mine.
This book covers specific temptations of thoughts of gluttony, fornication, money, sadness, anger, listlessness, vainglory, and pride. Here is a specific example related to anger. "Against the soul that accepts thoughts of anger and collects against the brothers wicked pretexts and false suspicions." (pg. 121).
"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not be anxious, so that you do evil. For the evildoers shall be destroyed, but those who wait for the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."
This short book is power-packed to help us on our path each day to address the myriad of issues we face in daily living.
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