The Mind and Demons

Before Abba Serenus began his conference on spiritual warfare between the demons and the soul St. Cassian expressed his frustrations with his spiritual progress in the desert, "Nonetheless I find that, as I strive laboriously in this purity, I have progressed in this alone: I know what I cannot be. Hence I think that nothing but hard work will be my lot as a result of such contrition of heart, so that there may always be reason for weeping. Yet I do not cease to be what I must not be" (7.3.2). This line is so comforting. Often we forget that the saints were men and women like us with their own struggles and battles to fight. We have great comfort in this solidarity, as we summarize this conference on spiritual warfare and consider the principalities and powers of this painful world.

The mind, the demons, and spiritual progress are the focus of this conference. When these three realities are properly understood, the nature of spiritual warfare is perceived with great clarity.

The Three Renunciations

We are called to be Christians in a variety of circumstances, through different decisions, and by numerous means.  Abba Paphnutius taught that there are three Christian callings and renunciations.

The three Christian callings are a calling (1) from God, (2) by human agency, and (3) out of need.  A Divine calling is most evident in the life of Abraham, (Genesis 12:1), St. Anthony (Life of St. Anthony by St. Athanasius), and St. Augustine (Confessions 8.12.29-30).  This calling is anything "which spurs us on to desire eternal life and salvation and encourages us to follow God and to adhere to his commands" (3.4.1).  When we are moved by the examples and teachings of holy men, God calls us by human agency (3.4.3).  The third calling of necessity is best exemplified by Israel who returned to the Lord only in times of persecution.  The Lord allows for circumstances that drive people to His Grace involuntarily by necessity, which is also illustrated in the conversions of St. Moses the Black and  the Apostle Paul (3.4.4-5).  Although the third calling seems the least praiseworthy of the three, all three callings have produced apostate, lukewarm, and perfect Christians (3.5.1).  If these callings are the beginning of Christian life, perfect renunciations are the end of it.