Church Fathers, Day 309: Aphrahat wants us to be a child of light and conquer Satan

Be a child of light and conquer Satan

Satan fights against the strong and proud, says Aphrahat, but he has no power against the children of light. They defeat him by their acts of humility.

Dear friends, our adversary is skillful. He who contends against us is crafty. Against the brave and the renowned he prepares himself, so that they may be weakened. For the feeble are his own, nor does he fight with the captives that are made captive to him. He who has wings flees from him, and the darts that he hurls at him do not reach him. Those who are spiritual see him when he attacks, and his array has no power upon their bodies.

All the children of light are without fear of him, because the darkness flies from before the light. The children of the Good fear not the Evil, for the Good has given him to be trampled by their feet. When he makes himself like darkness unto them, they become light. And when he creeps upon them like a serpent, they become salt that he cannot eat.

If he makes himself like the asp to them, then they become like babes. If he comes in upon them in the lust of food, they, like our Redeemer, conquer him by fasting. And if he wishes to contend with them by the lust of the eyes, they lift up their eyes to the height of heaven. If he wishes by enticements to overcome them, they do not give him a hearing. If he wishes openly to strive with them, then they are clothed in arms and stand up against him. If he wishes to come in against them by sleep, they are wakeful and vigilant and sing psalms and pray. If he al­lures them by possessions, they give them to the poor. If he comes in as sweetness against them, they do not taste it, knowing that he is bitter. If he inflames them with the desire of Eve, they dwell alone, and not with the daughters of Eve.

–Aphrahat, Demonstration on Members of the Covenant, 1

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What does Satan try to tempt me with?

How should I be countering his attack?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, enlighten me when I am in the dark, deliver me from my sins, and protect and defend me at all times.

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