Truth & Righteousness - Week 4: Thursday

John 8:31-36

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Commentary

St. Augustine of Hippo | On Free Will 2.13.37
Our freedom comes when we subject ourselves to the truth. And this truth is our God who frees us from death, that is, from the condition of sin. For he himself spoke of this truth as a man among people when he spoke to those who believed: “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” For the soul enjoys nothing in freedom unless it enjoys it in peace.

Questions

• Where does freedom come from according to St. Augustine?

• Where does freedom come from according to society?

• Society tells us truth is relative. How does this compare with what is said in the passage?

Truth & Righteousness - Week 4: Wednesday

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Commentary

St. John Chrysostom | The Gospel Of Matthew, Homily 15.4
Note how drastically he expresses it... “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness”—not in a superficial way but pursuing it with their entire desire.

Questions

• Why does Jesus use the terms “hunger and thirst” when talking about how our desire for righteousness should be?

Truth & Righteousness - Week 4: Tuesday

Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Commentary

Fr. Tadros Malaty
They give sin a touch of virtue; justifying, for example, anger as a defense of truth; or judging others under pretense of a desire for reform etc.

Questions

• What are some things modern society calls good that are actually evil? What are some things that society calls evil that are actually good?

• What are some ways we have justified us doing something wrong, by pretending it was something good, similar to the examples from Fr. Tadros?

Truth & Righteousness - Week 4: Monday

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Commentary

St. Basil the Great
Immediately after the temptation, flee it as if it were a venomous sting, according to the words of Solomon concerning the wicked woman: “Do not set your eye on her, but leap back; do not delay.”

Questions

• Why does St. Paul use the words “flee” and “pursue” when referring to our relationship with temptations and righteousness?

• What is the importance of fleeing quickly from temptation, without delay?

Take a Stand - Week 3: Saturday

Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Commentary

St. John Chrysostom | Homily On Ephesians 22.6.11

The enemy does not make war on us straightforwardly or openly but by his wiles. What are the devil’s wiles? They consist in trying to capture us by some shortcut and always by deceit.... The devil never openly lays temptation before us. He does not mention idolatry out loud. But by his stratagems he presents idolatrous choices to us, by persuasive words and by employing clever euphemisms.

Questions

• What are some ways that the Devil tries to tempt us, without us realizing that we are being tempted?

Take a Stand - Week 3: Friday

Matthew 6:6

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Commentary

Hilary of Poitiers | On Matthew 5.1

We are asked to pray with the bedroom door closed, as it were, and we are taught to pour out our prayer in every place. The saints’ prayers were undertaken in the presence of wild animals, in prisons, in flames, from the depths of the sea and the belly of the beast. Hence we are admonished not to enter the recesses of our homes but the bedroom of our hearts. With the office of our minds closed, we pray to God not with many words but with our conscience, for every act is superior to the words of speakers.

Questions

• How many times do I hear God's voice throughout my daily life yet I ignore it and go on with my life until something happens? Christ gave me the framework of how and where to pray. God's voice becomes much clearer when I block out all noise outside of my room and shut the door.

• Why do we pray? What should our attitude be towards prayer? Do I pray because I want to or because I need to?

Take a Stand - Week 3: Thursday

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Commentary

St. Augustine of Hippo | Letter 218, to Palatinus

The Lord has commanded us to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation. Obviously, if we could endow ourselves with this gift merely by willing it, we would not be asking it in prayer. If the will itself sufficed to protect us from temptation, we would not have to pray for it. But if we were not given a will at all, we would be unable to pray. Grant, then, that we may will it freely, praying that we may be made able by grace to do what we have willed, when by mercy we have attained to wise discernment.

Tertullian of Carthage | To The Martyrs 4.12

Let us, however, not take premature comfort in the Lord’s acknowledgment of the weakness of the flesh. For note that he declared first of all that the spirit is willing. He wanted to show which one ought to be subject to the other: the flesh is called to be submissive to the spirit, the weaker to the stronger, so that the flesh may draw strength from the spirit. Let the spirit converse with the flesh on their common salvation. Do not despair over the hardships of prison. Rather think about the eventual outcome of the contest.

Origen of Alexandria | On Prayer 29.11

We do not pray that we will never be tempted at all. For that is impossible. We pray rather that we not be encompassed by temptation.

Questions

• Spiritual warfare is inevitable in the life of every Christian. If I live knowing that my life depends on prayer, what will I do when warfare comes?

• God knows my flesh can be weak and is susceptible to temptation and sin. It is impossible to not live without temptation. God sent me His Spirit to be a guide in those times of trials and temptations. The Spirit, like the body, needs nourishment. How do I nourish the Spirit? What are the tools that God gave me through the Church to keep the Spirit nourished?

Take a Stand - Week 3: Wednesday

John 17:15

I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

Commentary

St. Cyril of Alexandria | Commentary on the Gospel of John 11.9
Christ does not wish for the apostles to be set free of human affairs or to be rid of life in the body when they have not yet finished the course of their apostleship or distinguished themselves by the virtues of a godly life. Rather, his desire is to see them live their lives in the company of people in the world and guide the footsteps of those who are his to a state of life well pleasing to God. After they have done this, then at last, with the glory they have achieved, they will be carried into the heavenly city and dwell with the company of the holy angels.

Questions

Read John 17. The entire chapter Christ is praying to His Father. How beautiful and comforting is it to know that Christ prays for me! How can Christ know what the amount and severity of hardships I go through? He went through hardships too. He lived like me as a human. He was persecuted, died, and finally rose from the dead. If He did all of this for me as a human, how can I not run to Him with all my problems?

• This life is temporary. This life and this world itself are not evil because God created everything, but sin entered the world and is present. My goal should not be to run away from my problems. Instead, my job is to take them and present them to Christ. Christ intercedes for me. What are the big problems in my life that I should take to Christ?

• Christ doesn't only care about the grand problems, but also the trivial. What are the small and trivial problems in my life that I should present to Christ in prayer?

Take a Stand - Week 3: Tuesday

1 Corinthians 10:12

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Commentary

St. John Chrysostom | Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians 23.5
Once again, Paul casts down the pride of those who think they know it all. For if the Israelites, who had such great privileges, suffered these things, and if some were punished merely because they were heard to complain, how much more shall we suffer if we are not careful. Anyone who relies on himself will soon fall. For the way in which we stand in this world is not secure and will not be until we are delivered out of the waves of this present life into the peaceful haven of eternal rest. Therefore, do not be proud of your standing, but pay attention so that you will not stumble. If Paul was afraid that it might happen to him, how much more ought we to be afraid also.

Questions

• How many times did I tell myself that I will not fall into this or that sin anymore? How often did I depend on my own efforts? Where has this taken me in my spiritual life?

• The greatest of saints fall when they forget to depend on God, but their stories never end there. God's saints always prevail through him. The saints' stories are there to remind me of how I ought to depend on God. Where in my life can I depend on God more? Is it only in material and intellectual matters?

Take a Stand - Week 3: Monday

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Commentary

Fr. Tadros Malaty | The First Epistle of St. Peter
The cause of the battle and the sufferings in this world is not human beings, but it is instead a battle between God and Satan. The devil is the enemy, and God is the Lord of all grace who perfects, establishes, strengthens and settles us for a victorious life. St. Augustine said: “We should not hate our brothers, but their enmities.” St. John Chrysostom, the suffering Archbishop said: “Till when are we going to oppose one another? Till when are we going to fight one another, so that the devil may laugh at us?” The devil is a very strong enemy, like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is our enemy because of his enmity to God, and we are God’s image. He is our enemy because of his pride. He annoys us because he is jealous that we took his position from which he fell. In spite of all that, he does not have dominion over us unless we surrender to his will. He can deceive people, but he cannot oblige anyone. He seeks to devour everyone, but he cannot approach anyone, unless one allows him. St. Shenouda the archimandrite wrote an article about the incapability of the devil to dominate the children of God. St. John Chrysostom wrote three articles to refute those who say that the devil has dominion over us, by saying: The devils could not enter the pigs except with permission from the Lord Jesus. (Matt. 8:28-38)

Questions

• The devil is a master trickster. He cannot make me fall into sin, but he can make sin more elegant. When sin is elegant, it is easy to forget God and take Satan's bait. Knowing that Satan is out to get me, how do I guard myself?

• God is our refuge and power; A help in afflictions that severely befall us (Psalms 45:2). How do I shelter myself from evil? How do I take refuge in God?

Know Thy Enemy - Week 2: Saturday

Ephesians 5:29

“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III
The Devil is malicious in his pretended kindness: His kind words are a malignant means to overthrow people. He "shows sympathy" for you when you fast and calls you to eat, for your own health! He "sympathizes" with you when you become spiritually active and when you keep awake in prayers, reading and kneeling down in worship (Metania) and calls you kindly to go to sleep and have rest. The 'kind-hearted' devil justifies your mistakes for you so that your conscience may not be weary. He prevents you from rebuking yourself, having regard for your feelings! Thus, in all your mistakes he offers you various excuses and justifications advising you.

By justifying your mistakes, he puts your conscience at ease, so that you are able to swallow a camel. He gets you away from repentance, from caution and from being on guard and from honesty in the little things.

The Devil is unfaithful and dishonest: As we have said before, the devil may show compassion for your health whether in respect to fasting, watchfulness or any physical weariness. He advises you to give rest to your body for the sake of your health... ! But he is not truly honest in showing concern for your health. He advises you to take rest and prevents you from watchfulness only if you keep awake for prayers, contemplation or spiritual reading or for prayer nights. However, if you keep awake in amusement or other means of entertainment, he will not warn you against the harms of wakefulness for your health!

Questions

• Have you ever justified your mistakes so that your conscience may not be weary?

• Do you relate with struggling to stay awake to pray/read the Bible or to wake up for liturgy, but when it comes to entertainment you are eager and it’s not difficult to stay up? Why is that? How can you change your patterns?

Know Thy Enemy - Week 2: Friday

Matthew 4:5-7

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III
The Devil is an accuser: He accuses saints, claiming that he did not have the opportunity to fight them or that the opportunity which he did have was not sufficient!

The Devil has numerous talents: God did not withdraw from him the talents granted to him while he was an angel. His knowledge is very wide, in every field. He even knows the verses of the Bible very well and uses them in fighting people such as theologians. In the temptation on the mount, he used the Holy Bible in his own way (Matt. 4:6). He is even the author of all heresies and heterodoxies. He put them in the minds of heretics and offered them wrong concepts for the verses of the Bible. True are the words of St. Athanasius the apostolic, "Our enemy is not the Arians but the devil."

The devil knows poetry, and many poets speak of the devil of poetry which inspires them with ideas. The devil also knows music, art, carving, drawing and songs. He can inspire those who are concerned with amusement with whatever they need in their arts to entice people, overthrow them or lead them astray from their spiritual course.

Questions

• Have you listened to songs which contain inappropriate lyrics that heighten your senses?

• Do you watch television shows or movies containing inappropriate language or scenes? If so, how does it affect your mood and your spiritual life?

• Do you feel that the devil skillfully uses sinful attractions like songs, electronic games, and social media to lead you off your spiritual course? If so, what is the solution?

Know Thy Enemy - Week 2: Thursday

Luke 4:13

Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III
The Devil is insistent: A person may yield and submit due to the continuous pressure and insistence. It is stated in "The Paradise of the Fathers" that the devil fought one of the monks with one sin for 50 years without ceasing, getting desperate or getting weary. Even when he was fighting the Lord Jesus Christ, he did not cease after his failure in the first, second, and third temptation. Though the Lord rebuked him and he departed, it was not forever as St. Luke the Evangelist says, "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time." (Luke 4:13). The term "for a season" means that he returned to tempt him another time and many more times. The devil never gets desperate due to any failure, and never gets ashamed but always returns! When he failed in the first temptation of Job, he demanded again to tempt him harder; and when he failed in all his temptations to the Lord Jesus Christ, he came to Him when He was on the cross and said, " If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." (Matt. 27:40). The devil, insisting to overthrow people, does not acknowledge any obstacles. He does not care that Adam and Eve are created after the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1).

Questions

• Are you giving into one particular sin due to the devil’s continuous pressure and insistence?

• Are you tired of fighting the struggle? If so, what do you think you can do?

• Have you asked your Father of Confession for advice regarding the struggle?

• Have you lost hope thinking that your sins are too big for God to overlook?

• Do you give into sin easily?

Know Thy Enemy - Week 2: Wednesday

Genesis 3:4-5

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III
The Devil is a liar: He lied when he said to our forefathers Adam and Eve, "You will not surely die." And, "you will be like God ..."(Gen. 3:4,5). Lying is a distinctive characteristic of the devil; so the Lord said about him, "He is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44). It was said so that we might not believe or be deceived by anything said by the devil. All the temptations of the devil are kinds of falsehood: he makes man imagine some happiness to be gained from sin, whether it be pleasure, authority, benefit, dignity or glory. Almost all sins are hidden behind one of the devil's lies. The devil suggests to the thief that no one will see him or discover his theft. He suggests the same thing to the smuggler, the briber and the fraudulent. In all this, the devil lies because God sees, and everything is revealed before him even though the human eye cannot see. Perhaps atheism is the greatest falsehood offered by the devil to humanity.

The Devil is envious: His heart never rests whenever he sees a successful or a righteous person. He tries his best to overthrow such a person. The devil envies knowledge and wisdom, envies chastity, and envies humility. He spreads ignorance, adultery and pride in the world with all the malevolence he has. Thus, when you do any act of righteousness, expect the envy of the devils.

Questions

• Have you ever believed one of the devil’s lies such as: God doesn’t love me; I’m not good enough; People hate me; I’m a failure?

• How often do you fall into the temptation of despair believing the devil’s scheme that you are not loved by God or anyone?

• Have you ever experienced that there is no hope for your salvation?

• Does the devil jump in with ideas that God will never forgive you or that your sins are too big or too shameful for God to overlook?

Know Thy Enemy - Week 2: Tuesday

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III
The Devil is experienced in fighting and knows our nature: The devil has been fighting man for more than seven thousand years, since Adam... imagine what experience he has gained. Undoubtedly, he is the creature most capable of understanding the human soul and how to fight it. He has examined the human soul very well and knows the strong and weak points in it, as well as the way to fight it. The devil is the greatest psychologist and psychoanalyst. Psychology to him is not mere theories but an experience on the practical and scientific levels and on a great scale which includes humanity as a whole. Thus, he knows when he should fight, how to fight, and when to wait. He knows the gates to the mind and to the heart.

The Devil is intelligent and resourceful: He is called, "the old serpent" (Rev. 20:2, 12:9), and the Holy Bible says that "Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field " (Gen 3:1). He is intelligent and wise in evil, and the Bible requires us to be, "wise as serpents" (Matt. 10:16). The wisdom of the devil is all mischief, malice and subtlety. The devil's intelligence appears in that he changes his plans and methods according to the circumstances. Among his dangerous wiles are: lying, deceit, and beguilement which he weaves so intelligently that the person fought cannot be aware of it. He may also introduce sin disguised as virtue... and so on.

Questions

• How does the devil fight you?

• Are you willing to fight back?

• Are you wise as serpents as the Bible instructs us to be?

• How can you fight back?

Know Thy Enemy - Week 2: Monday

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III
The Devil is an unceasing fighter: He never stops fighting, never tires nor takes a rest. He always, "walks about like a roaring lion " (1 Pet 5:8). In the story of Job, he told God twice that he was busy, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." (Job 1:7, 2:2). He watches his victims continuously and throws his seeds everywhere. Wherever the Lord plants wheat, he comes and plants tares, "but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way." (Matt 13:25).

The Devil is powerful: That is because he is one of the angels," Who excel in strength" according to the description of the psalmist in (Ps. 103:20). As an angel, he lost his purity, but did not lose his powerful nature. Though the devil is powerful, God is more powerful than Him. Not only did God subdue the devil for us but He let many of the fathers conquer him and the devil even feared them.

Questions

• What is the nature of the Devil?

• What is the nature of the Lord?

• What is the benefit, advantage, and disadvantage of enduring and fighting against temptation?

• Who helps us in this battle? How and why? • How can temptations strengthen you?

God & Me - Week 1: Saturday

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards;  for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III | Diabolic Wars
As we remember the power given to us, we should likewise remember the spiritual powers surrounding us. We should remember that we are not alone in the battle, as God's Holy Spirit helps us, reproves us with respect to sin (John 16:8), teaches us on all things (1 John 2:27) and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). How then can the devil overcome us though we have the communion of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14) and also the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 16:23). So we live, not we, but Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20). Add to this the fact that many angels encompass us, sent forth to minister for us who shall be heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14), seeing that we are also encompassed by a great cloud of witnesses who have conquered, "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us." (Heb 12:1).

Questions

• What word or phrase really stood out to me that I should consider memorizing? 

• What do these readings tell me about who God is and His role in my spiritual warfare? 

• What are bad/evil things in my life (or the lives of those I love) that I should ask for God’s “divine power” to conquer?

God & Me - Week 1: Friday

Psalms 46:1-3 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

Commentary

H.H. Pope Shenouda III | Diabolic Wars
If you always think that it is difficult or impossible to conquer in the diabolic wars, you will faint, weaken and submit and consequently you will fall. But, when the devil fights you, be absolutely sure that you are able to conquer, otherwise God would not have allowed such an inequivalent war. Always contemplate on the lives of the saints who conquered.

Questions

• What word or phrase really stood out to me that I should consider memorizing? 

• What do these readings tell me about who God is and His role in my spiritual warfare? 

• What am I afraid of in my life? How can I pray for strength and courage about the things I’m afraid of?

God & Me - Week 1: Thursday

John 10:11-15

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

Commentary

F.B. Meyer | The Shepherd Psalm
Now all this is true of our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep. He has a shepherd's heart, beating with pure and generous love that counted not His life-blood too dear a price to pay down as our ransom. He has a shepherd's eye, that takes in the whole flock, and misses not even the poor sheep wandering away on the mountains cold. He has a shepherd's faithfulness, which will never fail, nor forsake, nor leave us comfortless, nor flee when He seeth the wolf coming. He has a shepherd's strength, so that He is well able to deliver us from the jaw of the lion, or the paw of the bear. He has a shepherd's tenderness, no lamb so tiny that He will not carry it; no saint so weak that He will not gently lead; no soul so faint that He will not give it rest. He pities as a father. He comforts as a mother. His gentleness makes great. He covers us with His feathers, soft and warm and downy; and Under His wings do we trust.

Questions

• What word or phrase really stood out to me that I should consider memorizing? 

• What do these readings tell me about who God is and His role in my spiritual warfare? 

• How can knowing God and having a relationship with Him help me when I’m faced with evil?

God & Me - Week 1: Wednesday

Deuteronomy 20:1-4

When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots, an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Before you engage in battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the troops, and shall say to them: “Hear, O Israel! Today you are drawing near to do battle against your enemies. Do not lose heart, or be afraid, or panic, or be in dread of them; for it is the Lord your God who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory.”

Commentary

St. Cyprian of Carthage
God watches us fight for our faith. His angels watch us, and Christ watches us. How great is the dignity, joy, and glory of competing and being crowned in the presence of God with Christ as the Judge! Beloved, let us be armed with our whole strength and let us be prepared for the struggle with uncorrupted minds, solid faith, and devoted courage. Let the army of God march forward to the appointed battlefield.

Questions

• What word or phrase really stood out to me that I should consider memorizing? 

• What do these readings tell me about who God is, and His role in my spiritual warfare? 

• What are the details of my life that really overwhelm me or intimidate me? How can God come alongside me in facing these things? 

• Who are the people in my life that remind me not to lose heart or be afraid? Name them, keep them close, and reach out to them whenever needed.