St. Mary The Queen Coptic Orthodox Church

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08/30/2026

Watch, Therefore: Sermon

Outline on Mark 13:3–37

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
Beloved children in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Opening
Disciples marvel at the Temple's great stones; Christ answers: "Not one stone shall be left upon another."
Privately on the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask: when will this be, and what is the sign?
The Lord's answer is one of His longest teachings in the Gospels — and it ends in a single word the Church never stops repeating: "Watch."
Read this chapter not as a puzzle to solve with calendars, but as a word to be lived.
I. A near sorrow and a far glory, spoken together
St. Cyril of Alexandria: Christ answers two questions at once — when the Temple will fall, and when the Son of Man will return in glory.
The two are not separated neatly in the text.
The fall of Jerusalem was fulfilled exactly as foretold, within that generation — a pledge that the rest of His word will also come to pass.
St. John Chrysostom: wars, famines, earthquakes are only "the beginning of sorrows" — real, but not yet the end.
Such things recur in every century. They are permitted not to frighten us, but so that when they come, we lift up our heads, knowing our God reigns even over the chaos of nations.
II. Do not be deceived
"Take heed that no one deceives you... many will come in My name... and will deceive many."
A warning for every age, our own included.
St. Cyril: Christ's true coming needs no announcement, no secret revelation — it will be as unmistakable as lightning across the whole sky.
Our task: not to chase rumors and voices claiming special knowledge, but to hold fast to what the Church has handed down — Scripture, the Fathers, the Liturgy.
III. The fig tree, and the generation that does not pass away
"When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near."
We are to discern the season we live in — not calculate a date, but keep our hearts ready.
"This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."
St. John Chrysostom: "this generation" means the generation of the faithful — the Church herself.
Empires rise and fall; Jerusalem was destroyed; but the generation of the faithful endures every storm unbroken.
Application: whatever trial our own generation faces, the Church Christ founded cannot be shaken, because He Himself is her foundation.
IV. "Not even the Son" — a verse that humbles rather than confuses
"Of that day and hour no one knows... not even the Son, but only the Father."
Some in the early Church used this to claim the Son was lesser than the Father.
St. Athanasius the Apostolic's answer, still confessed by the whole Church:
Christ speaks according to His humanity — the real flesh in which He hungered, wept, and grew weary.
As the eternal Word, through whom all things and all ages were made, nothing is hidden from Him.
Why veil this even from His humanity? Not to leave us afraid, but to keep us awake.
If we knew the day, we would grow careless until its eve. Not knowing, every day becomes the day we must be found ready — a mercy, not a hardship.
V. Therefore, watch
The parable of the doorkeeper: stay alert though you do not know when the master returns — "at evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning."
"And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
Not a word for monks alone — though our desert fathers (St. Anthony, St. Paul, St. Pishoy) took it as the rule of their lives.
Watchfulness, nepsis, is the ordinary calling of every Christian:
Why the Church gives us the Agpeya, the hours of prayer.
Why we keep vigil before the great feasts.
Why we hear at this altar "until He comes" — rehearsing our readiness to meet the Bridegroom.
Call to action
Do not busy ourselves guessing dates or being troubled by the world's disturbances.
Examine our own lamps, as the wise virgins did — is there oil in them?
The oil of love
The oil of almsgiving
The oil of prayer
The oil of repentance renewed today, not postponed
Forgive one another; reconcile where estranged.
Come to Confession and Communion with hearts made ready — for we do not know the hour.
Closing
May the Lord, who came once in humility to save us and will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, find every one of us watching — our lamps lit, our hearts turned toward Him.
To Him be the glory and the dominion, with His Good Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

Watch, Therefore: Sermon Outline on Mark 13:3–37
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
Beloved children in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Opening
Disciples marvel at the Temple's great stones; Christ answers: "Not one stone shall be left upon another."
Privately on the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask: when will this be, and what is the sign?
The Lord's answer is one of His longest teachings in the Gospels — and it ends in a single word the Church never stops repeating: "Watch."
Read this chapter not as a puzzle to solve with calendars, but as a word to be lived.
I. A near sorrow and a far glory, spoken together
St. Cyril of Alexandria: Christ answers two questions at once — when the Temple will fall, and when the Son of Man will return in glory.
The two are not separated neatly in the text.
The fall of Jerusalem was fulfilled exactly as foretold, within that generation — a pledge that the rest of His word will also come to pass.
St. John Chrysostom: wars, famines, earthquakes are only "the beginning of sorrows" — real, but not yet the end.
Such things recur in every century. They are permitted not to frighten us, but so that when they come, we lift up our heads, knowing our God reigns even over the chaos of nations.
II. Do not be deceived
"Take heed that no one deceives you... many will come in My name... and will deceive many."
A warning for every age, our own included.
St. Cyril: Christ's true coming needs no announcement, no secret revelation — it will be as unmistakable as lightning across the whole sky.
Our task: not to chase rumors and voices claiming special knowledge, but to hold fast to what the Church has handed down — Scripture, the Fathers, the Liturgy.
III. The fig tree, and the generation that does not pass away
"When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near."
We are to discern the season we live in — not calculate a date, but keep our hearts ready.
"This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."
St. John Chrysostom: "this generation" means the generation of the faithful — the Church herself.
Empires rise and fall; Jerusalem was destroyed; but the generation of the faithful endures every storm unbroken.
Application: whatever trial our own generation faces, the Church Christ founded cannot be shaken, because He Himself is her foundation.
IV. "Not even the Son" — a verse that humbles rather than confuses
"Of that day and hour no one knows... not even the Son, but only the Father."
Some in the early Church used this to claim the Son was lesser than the Father.
St. Athanasius the Apostolic's answer, still confessed by the whole Church:
Christ speaks according to His humanity — the real flesh in which He hungered, wept, and grew weary.
As the eternal Word, through whom all things and all ages were made, nothing is hidden from Him.
Why veil this even from His humanity? Not to leave us afraid, but to keep us awake.
If we knew the day, we would grow careless until its eve. Not knowing, every day becomes the day we must be found ready — a mercy, not a hardship.
V. Therefore, watch
The parable of the doorkeeper: stay alert though you do not know when the master returns — "at evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning."
"And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
Not a word for monks alone — though our desert fathers (St. Anthony, St. Paul, St. Pishoy) took it as the rule of their lives.
Watchfulness, nepsis, is the ordinary calling of every Christian:
Why the Church gives us the Agpeya, the hours of prayer.
Why we keep vigil before the great feasts.
Why we hear at this altar "until He comes" — rehearsing our readiness to meet the Bridegroom.
Call to action
Do not busy ourselves guessing dates or being troubled by the world's disturbances.
Examine our own lamps, as the wise virgins did — is there oil in them?
The oil of love
The oil of almsgiving
The oil of prayer
The oil of repentance renewed today, not postponed
Forgive one another; reconcile where estranged.
Come to Confession and Communion with hearts made ready — for we do not know the hour.
Closing
May the Lord, who came once in humility to save us and will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, find every one of us watching — our lamps lit, our hearts turned toward Him.
To Him be the glory and the dominion, with His Good Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

08/23/2026

كيف يحارب الشيطان الإنسان؟

«لا نجهل أفكاره» — ٢ كورنثوس ٢: ١١

الفكرة الرئيسية:
الشيطان لا يستطيع أن يُجبر الإنسان على الخطية، لكنه يحاول أن يخدع الفكر، ويُثير الشهوة، ويُضعف الإيمان، ويزرع اليأس، ويُبعد الإنسان عن الله تدريجيًا. ولذلك يقول الكتاب:

«فَاخْضَعُوا لِلَّهِ. قَاوِمُوا إِبْلِيسَ فَيَهْرُبَ مِنْكُمْ» (يعقوب ٤: ٧).

⸻

أولًا: يحارب الإنسان بالكذب والخداع

منذ البداية كانت حرب الشيطان مع الإنسان عن طريق التشكيك في كلمة الله.

قال للحية لحواء:

«أَحَقًّا قَالَ اللهُ: لاَ تَأْكُلاَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَجَرِ الْجَنَّةِ؟»
(تكوين ٣: ١)

لاحظ أنه لم يبدأ بالأمر بالخطية، بل بدأ بالسؤال: «أحقًا قال الله؟»

وهذه إحدى أخطر حروب الشيطان اليوم:
أن يجعل الإنسان يشك في:

* محبة الله.
* صلاح الله.
* مواعيد الله.
* وصايا الله.
* وجود الله وتدخله في حياته.

ولذلك قال السيد المسيح عن إبليس:

«ذَاكَ كَانَ قَتَّالًا لِلنَّاسِ مِنَ الْبَدْءِ… مَتَى تَكَلَّمَ بِالْكَذِبِ فَإِنَّمَا يَتَكَلَّمُ مِمَّا لَهُ، لأَنَّهُ كَذَّابٌ وَأَبُو الْكَذَّابِ»
(يوحنا ٨: ٤٤).

الحرب تبدأ أحيانًا بفكرة صغيرة، وليس بخطية كبيرة.

⸻

ثانيًا: يحارب الإنسان بالفكر

الشيطان يعرف أن الفكر هو باب القلب.

قد لا يستطيع أن يجبرك على فعل شيء، لكنه يستطيع أن يلقي فكرة أمامك.

ولهذا يقول الكتاب:

«لأَنَّنَا لاَ نَجْهَلُ أَفْكَارَهُ»
(٢ كورنثوس ٢: ١١).

ويقول القديس مقاريوس الكبير في تعليمه عن الحرب الروحية بمعنى واضح: إن أفكار الشر قد تأتي إلى الإنسان، لكن وجود الفكرة وحده لا يعني أن الإنسان قد أخطأ؛ الخطورة تبدأ عندما يقبلها ويستضيفها ويوافق عليها.

إذن:

الفكرة ليست خطية، لكن الاستسلام للفكرة قد يقود إلى الخطية.

مثل شرارة صغيرة؛ إذا رفضتها تنطفئ، وإذا احتضنتها تصبح نارًا.

لذلك يقول الرسول:

«هَادِمِينَ ظُنُونًا وَكُلَّ عُلْوٍ يَرْتَفِعُ ضِدَّ مَعْرِفَةِ اللهِ، وَمُسْتَأْسِرِينَ كُلَّ فِكْرٍ إِلَى طَاعَةِ الْمَسِيحِ»
(٢ كورنثوس ١٠: ٥).

ثالثًا: يحارب الإنسان بالشهوة

الشيطان لا يخترع بالضرورة كل رغبات الإنسان، لكنه يستطيع أن يستغل نقاط الضعف الموجودة فيه.

وهذا واضح في تجربة السيد المسيح على الجبل.

«ثُمَّ أَخَذَهُ إِبْلِيسُ إِلَى جَبَل عَالٍ جِدًّا، وَأَرَاهُ جَمِيعَ مَمَالِكِ الْعَالَمِ وَمَجْدَهَا، وَقَالَ لَهُ: أُعْطِيكَ هذِهِ جَمِيعَهَا إِنْ خَرَرْتَ وَسَجَدْتَ لِي»
(متى ٤: ٨–٩).

الشيطان يقول للإنسان:

«خذها الآن… لا تنتظر… لا مشكلة… الجميع يفعل ذلك…»

لكن علاج السيد المسيح كان:

«مَكْتُوبٌ: لِلرَّبِّ إِلهِكَ تَسْجُدُ وَإِيَّاهُ وَحْدَهُ تَعْبُدُ»
(متى ٤: ١٠).

الإنسان ينتصر عندما يضع كلمة الله أمام التجربة.

رابعًا: يحارب الإنسان بالخوف والقلق

أحيانًا لا يحارب الشيطان الإنسان بخطية واضحة، وإنما يجعله يعيش في:

الخوف، والقلق، والاضطراب، وفقدان الرجاء.

يجعل الإنسان يقول:

* ماذا سيحدث لي؟
* هل الله تركني؟
* هل سأستطيع أن أتغلب على هذه المشكلة؟
* هل هناك أمل؟
* لماذا يسمح الله بهذا؟

لكن الكتاب يقول:

«لأَنَّ اللهَ لَمْ يُعْطِنَا رُوحَ الْفَشَلِ، بَلْ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ وَالْمَحَبَّةِ وَالنُّصْحِ»
(٢ تيموثاوس ١: ٧).

ويقول:

«مُلْقِينَ كُلَّ هَمِّكُمْ عَلَيْهِ، لأَنَّهُ هُوَ يَعْتَنِي بِكُمْ»
(١ بطرس ٥: ٧).

وهنا يقول لنا القديس يوحنا ذهبي الفم، بمعنى أقواله المتكررة في عظاته: ليس المهم أن تأتي التجربة إلى الإنسان، بل ألا يسمح الإنسان للتجربة أن تستولي على قلبه.

خامسًا: يحارب الإنسان باليأس بعد السقوط

هذه من أخطر حيل الشيطان.

قبل الخطية يقول:

«افعلها، والله غفور ورحيم.»

وبعد الخطية يقول:

«أنت فعلت هذا؟! لا فائدة منك! كيف ستعود إلى الله؟ الله لن يقبلك!»

وهنا تتضح خدعته.

الشيطان يريد أولًا أن يدفع الإنسان إلى الخطية، ثم يريد أن يمنعه من التوبة.

لكن الكتاب يقول:

«إِنْ أَعْتَرِفْنَا بِخَطَايَانَا فَهُوَ أَمِينٌ وَعَادِلٌ، حَتَّى يَغْفِرَ لَنَا خَطَايَانَا وَيُطَهِّرَنَا مِنْ كُلِّ إِثْمٍ»
(١ يوحنا ١: ٩).

والابن الضال عندما رجع، لم يقل له الأب: لماذا فعلت؟

بل:

«لأَنَّ ابْنِي هذَا كَانَ مَيِّتًا فَعَاشَ، وَكَانَ ضَالًّا فَوُجِدَ»
(لوقا ١٥: ٢٤).

الشيطان يريد أن يحول الخطية إلى يأس، أما الله فيحول التوبة إلى حياة.

سادسًا: يحارب الإنسان بالعزلة

من أخطر أفكار الشيطان:

«لا تتكلم مع أحد.»
«احتفظ بالمشكلة لنفسك.»
«لا داعي للاعتراف.»
«لا تحتاج إلى الكنيسة.»

لكن الكتاب يقول:

«وَلْنُلاَحِظْ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا لِلتَّحْرِيضِ عَلَى الْمَحَبَّةِ وَالأَعْمَالِ الْحَسَنَةِ، غَيْرَ تَارِكِينَ اجْتِمَاعَنَا»
(عبرانيين ١٠: ٢٤–٢٥).

الإنسان عندما يعزل نفسه يصبح أضعف.

ولهذا يقول الكتاب:

«اِثْنَانِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ وَاحِدٍ… وَإِنْ سَقَطَ أَحَدُهُمَا يُقِيمُهُ رَفِيقُهُ»
(جامعة ٤: ٩–١٠).

سابعًا: يحارب الإنسان بالتدرج

الشيطان نادرًا ما يقول للإنسان:

«اترك الله اليوم!»

بل يقول:

«أجّل الصلاة اليوم.»

ثم:

«غدًا سأصلي.»

ثم:

«أنا مشغول.»

ثم يصبح الإنسان بعيدًا عن الصلاة، وعن الإنجيل، وعن الاعتراف، وعن التناول، وعن الكنيسة.

الحرب تبدأ بخطوة صغيرة، لكنها إذا لم تُقاوم قد تصبح طريقًا طويلًا.

لذلك يقول الرسول:

«لاَ تُعْطُوا إِبْلِيسَ مَكَانًا»
(أفسس ٤: ٢٧).

ثامنًا: كيف ننتصر في الحرب؟

هنا السؤال الأهم.

١. نخضع لله

«فَاخْضَعُوا لِلَّهِ. قَاوِمُوا إِبْلِيسَ فَيَهْرُبَ مِنْكُمْ»
(يعقوب ٤: ٧).

لاحظ الترتيب:

اخضعوا لله ← قاوموا إبليس ← فيهرب.

القوة ليست في الإنسان وحده، بل في الله.

٢. نستخدم كلمة الله

السيد المسيح عندما حاربه الشيطان، لم يدخل معه في حوار طويل.

ثلاث مرات قال:

«مَكْتُوبٌ…»

(متى ٤: ٤، ٧، ١٠).

لذلك الكتاب المقدس ليس مجرد كتاب نقرأه؛ إنه سلاح في الحرب الروحية.

«سَيْفَ الرُّوحِ الَّذِي هُوَ كَلِمَةُ اللهِ»
(أفسس ٦: ١٧).

٣. الصلاة الدائمة

«صَلُّوا بِلاَ انْقِطَاعٍ»
(١ تسالونيكي ٥: ١٧).

الإنسان الذي يصلي باستمرار لا يعطي الشيطان فرصة أن يحتل قلبه بسهولة.

والقديس يوحنا كاسيانوس اهتم كثيرًا بالصلاة القصيرة المستمرة، لأنها تحفظ الذهن من الشرود وترد القلب سريعًا إلى الله.

يمكن للإنسان وسط التجربة أن يقول:

«يا رب يسوع المسيح، ارحمني.»

أو:

«يا رب، أنقذني من هذه الفكرة.»

٤. لا تدخل في حوار مع الشيطان

لاحظ حواء:

بدأت تتحدث مع الحية.

أما المسيح:

قال: «مكتوب».

أحيانًا أفضل طريقة لمقاومة الفكر الشرير ليست أن تناقشه، بل أن ترفضه فورًا وتحوّل ذهنك إلى المسيح.

سلاح الله الكامل

أجمل مقطع يمكن أن نختم به هو:

«الْبَسُوا سِلاَحَ اللهِ الْكَامِلَ لِكَيْ تَقْدِرُوا أَنْ تَثْبُتُوا ضِدَّ مَكَايِدِ إِبْلِيسَ.»
(أفسس ٦: ١١).

ثم يذكر بولس الرسول:

* منطقة الحق
* درع البر
* حذاء إنجيل السلام
* ترس الإيمان
* خوذة الخلاص
* سيف الروح
* الصلاة

لاحظ أن الكتاب لم يقل:

«اهربوا من إبليس.»

بل:

«قَاوِمُوا إِبْلِيسَ فَيَهْرُبَ مِنْكُمْ.»

خاتمة آبائية قوية

يقول القديس أنطونيوس الكبير في تعليمه عن الحرب الروحية بمعنى مشهور: لا تخافوا من الشياطين؛ فإنها ضعيفة أمام من يتسلح بالإيمان بالمسيح.

والسبب ليس أننا أقوى من الشيطان، بل لأن:

«الَّذِي فِيكُمْ أَعْظَمُ مِنَ الَّذِي فِي الْعَالَمِ»
(١ يوحنا ٤: ٤).

إذن يا أحبائي:

الشيطان يحارب الفكر، لكن المسيح يعطيك الحق.
الشيطان يحارب بالشهوة، لكن المسيح يعطيك النقاوة.
الشيطان يحارب بالخوف، لكن المسيح يعطيك السلام.
الشيطان يحارب باليأس، لكن المسيح يعطيك الرجاء.
الشيطان يحاول أن يعزلك، لكن المسيح يضعك في حضن الكنيسة.
والشيطان يريد سقوطك، لكن المسيح يريد خلاصك.

ولذلك لا تخف من الحرب، بل تمسّك بالمسيح.

«قَاوِمُوا إِبْلِيسَ فَيَهْرُبَ مِنْكُمْ.»

الصلاة الختامية:

«يا رب، أعطنا أن نعرف حيل عدو الخير، وأن نحفظ أفكارنا فيك، وأن نتمسك بكلمتك، ونحيا بالصلاة، ولا نسقط في اليأس بعد الخطية، بل نسرع إلى التوبة. أعطنا يا رب أن نلبس سلاحك الكامل، وأن نثبت في الإيمان حتى النهاية. آمين

08/23/2026

How Does Satan Attack Man?

“We are not ignorant of his devices.” — 2 Corinthians 2:11

The main message:
Satan cannot force a person to sin, but he tries to deceive the mind, stir up desires, weaken faith, plant despair, and gradually separate the person from God.

That is why the Bible says:

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7

1. Satan attacks through lies and deception

From the beginning, Satan’s warfare against humanity was through questioning God’s Word.

He said to Eve:

“Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
— Genesis 3:1

Notice that he did not begin by commanding her to sin. He began with a question:

“Has God really said?”

One of Satan’s most dangerous weapons today is making us doubt:

* God’s love
* God’s goodness
* God’s promises
* God’s commandments
* God’s presence in our lives

The Lord Jesus said about Satan:

“He is a liar and the father of it.”
— John 8:44

The battle sometimes begins with a small thought, not with a great sin.

2. Satan attacks through the mind

Satan knows that the mind is a gateway to the heart.

He may not be able to force us to do something, but he can place a thought before us.

Therefore, St. Paul says:

“For we are not ignorant of his devices.”
— 2 Corinthians 2:11

As St. Macarius the Great teaches in essence, evil thoughts may come to a person, but the mere presence of a thought does not mean that the person has sinned. The danger begins when we accept the thought, welcome it, and consent to it.

Therefore:

A thought is not necessarily a sin, but surrendering to that thought can lead to sin.

Like a small spark: if you reject it, it dies; if you embrace it, it can become a fire.

That is why Scripture says:

“Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5

3. Satan attacks through desires

Satan does not necessarily create every desire within us, but he can exploit our weaknesses.

This is evident in the temptation of Christ in the wilderness.

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.”
— Matthew 4:8

Satan says to a person:

“Take it now… don’t wait… it’s not a big deal… everyone does it.”

But Christ answered:

“It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
— Matthew 4:10

We overcome when we place God’s Word before temptation.

4. Satan attacks through fear and anxiety

Sometimes Satan does not attack with an obvious sin, but through:

fear, anxiety, confusion, and loss of hope.

He makes us ask:

* What will happen to me?
* Has God abandoned me?
* Will I ever overcome this?
* Is there any hope?
* Why does God allow this?

But Scripture says:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7

And:

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7

As St. John Chrysostom repeatedly teaches in his homilies, in essence: the important thing is not that temptation comes to a person, but that the person does not allow the temptation to take possession of his heart.

5. Satan attacks through despair after we fall

This is one of his most dangerous tricks.

Before the sin, he says:

“Go ahead. God is merciful.”

After the sin, he says:

“You did this? There is no hope for you! How can you ever return to God? God will never accept you!”

This reveals his deception.

Satan first wants to lead us into sin, and then he wants to prevent us from repenting.

But Scripture says:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9

When the prodigal son returned, the father did not reject him. Instead:

“For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
— Luke 15:24

Satan wants to turn sin into despair, but God turns repentance into life.

6. Satan attacks through isolation

One of Satan’s dangerous thoughts is:

“Don’t talk to anyone.”
“Keep this problem to yourself.”
“You don’t need confession.”
“You don’t need the Church.”

But Scripture says:

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.”
— Hebrews 10:24–25

A person who isolates himself becomes weaker.

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.”
— Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

7. Satan attacks gradually

Satan rarely tells a person:

“Leave God today!”

Instead, he says:

“Skip prayer today.”

Then:

“I’ll pray tomorrow.”

Then:

“I’m too busy.”

Eventually, the person becomes distant from prayer, the Bible, confession, Holy Communion, and the Church.

The battle begins with a small step, but if it is not resisted, it can become a long journey away from God.

Therefore, St. Paul says:

“Nor give place to the devil.”
— Ephesians 4:27

⸻

How Do We Overcome the Battle?

1. Submit ourselves to God

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7

Notice the order:

Submit to God → Resist the devil → He will flee.

Our strength is not in ourselves, but in God.

2. Use the Word of God

When Satan tempted Christ, He did not enter into a long discussion with him.

Three times Jesus said:

“It is written…”
— Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

The Bible is not merely a book we read; it is a weapon in spiritual warfare.

“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
— Ephesians 6:17

3. Pray continually

“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17

A person who continually prays does not easily give Satan an opportunity to occupy his heart.

As St. John Cassian emphasized, continual short prayers help preserve the mind from distraction and quickly return the heart to God.

In the midst of temptation, we can simply say:

“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

Or:

“Lord, save me from this thought.”

4. Do not enter into dialogue with Satan

Notice Eve:

She began talking with the serpent.

But Christ:

He said, “It is written.”

Sometimes the best way to resist an evil thought is not to argue with it, but to reject it immediately and turn our mind toward Christ.

⸻

The Whole Armor of God

One of the most powerful passages with which we can conclude is:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
— Ephesians 6:11

St. Paul then speaks about:

* The belt of truth
* The breastplate of righteousness
* The preparation of the Gospel of peace
* The shield of faith
* The helmet of salvation
* The sword of the Spirit
* Prayer

Notice that Scripture does not say:

“Run away from the devil.”

It says:

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

⸻

A Powerful Patristic Conclusion

St. Anthony the Great teaches, in essence, that we should not fear demons, for they are weak before those who are armed with faith in Christ.

The reason is not that we are stronger than Satan, but because:

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4

Therefore, beloved:

Satan attacks the mind, but Christ gives us truth.
Satan attacks through desire, but Christ gives us purity.
Satan attacks through fear, but Christ gives us peace.
Satan attacks through despair, but Christ gives us hope.
Satan tries to isolate us, but Christ places us in the embrace of the Church.
Satan wants our downfall, but Christ desires our salvation.

Therefore, do not be afraid of the battle. Hold fast to Christ.

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7

Closing Prayer

“Lord, grant us to recognize the schemes of the enemy of our salvation, to keep our thoughts in You, to hold fast to Your Word, and to live a life of prayer. Do not allow us to fall into despair after sin, but let us hasten to repentance. Grant us, O Lord, to put on the whole armor of God and to remain steadfast in faith until the end. Amen.”

07/19/2026

Unless You Turn and Become Like Children”
Bible Verse:

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

These words were spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ when the disciples were arguing among themselves: “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
The Lord brought a little child and set him in their midst, as if He was saying: You are searching for greatness, but I am searching for the heart.

First: “Unless you are converted”

The Lord did not say, “Unless you become children,” but He said: “Unless you turn.”

Turning means repentance. It is returning to the first state, returning to the simplicity of heart that we have lost.

A child does not carry hatred, but we often keep offenses for years.
A child forgives quickly, but we remember every word and every hurtful situation.
A child trusts easily, but we become filled with doubt and fear.

St. Augustine said:

“Repentance is not only leaving sin, but returning the heart back to God.”

St. John Chrysostom said:

“Christ does not ask us for the ignorance of children, but for their purity.”

Second: The qualities of a child that Christ desires

1. Humility

A child does not seek honor for himself.

That is why Christ continued saying:

“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Humility is the only door through which a person enters the Kingdom.

St. Anthony the Great said:

“I saw all the snares of the enemy spread throughout the earth, and I said with a sigh: Who can escape them? I heard a voice saying: The humble.”

2. Complete Trust

A child holds his father’s hand and does not fear.

This is how a true believer should live.

David said:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

St. Cyril of Alexandria said:

“Faith is when the soul rests in God’s hands, just as a child rests in his mother’s arms.”

3. A Pure Heart

A child does not know hypocrisy.

He does not wear masks.

What is in his heart appears on his lips.

That is why the Lord said:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

4. Quickness to Forgive

A child may argue with someone and, after a few minutes, return to playing with him.

But adults often allow conflicts to grow inside their hearts.

St. Isaac the Syrian said:

“A heart that does not forgive cannot taste the peace of God.”

5. A Willingness to Learn

A child is always ready to learn.

But pride says: “I already know.”

Therefore the Lord says:

“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.”

Third: What causes us to lose the spirit of childhood?

* Pride.
* Depending on ourselves more than on God.
* Judging others.
* Complexity and deceit.
* Love of being seen and praised.

St. Macarius the Great said:

“The more the heart is filled with God, the more it becomes simple.”

Fourth: How do we return and become like children?

1. Through daily sincere repentance.
2. Through continual confession.
3. Through simple prayers that come from the heart.
4. Through reading the Gospel with the spirit of a disciple, not a critic.
5. Through forgiving everyone.
6. Through complete dependence on God.

Practical Reflection

Ask yourself today:

* Can I forgive as a child forgives?
* Do I trust God as a child trusts his father?
* Is my heart still simple?
* Am I seeking glory for myself or seeking Christ?
* Have I truly returned to God?

Conclusion

God does not ask us to become children in understanding, but children in purity, humility, trust, and love.

As St. Paul says:

“Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” (1 Corinthians 14:20)

Let us stand before God today asking Him to give us a new heart — a simple heart that resembles the heart of a child — so that we may receive Christ’s promise:

“For of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Amen.

07/19/2026

“إن لم ترجعوا وتصيروا مثل الأولاد”
النص الكتابي:

“اَلْحَقَّ أَقُولُ لَكُمْ: إِنْ لَمْ تَرْجِعُوا وَتَصِيرُوا مِثْلَ الأَوْلاَدِ، فَلَنْ تَدْخُلُوا مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ.” (متى 18: 3)

هذه الكلمات قالها السيد المسيح عندما كان التلاميذ يتجادلون: “من هو الأعظم في ملكوت السماوات؟” فجاء بطفل وأقامه في وسطهم، وكأن الرب يقول: أنتم تبحثون عن العظمة، أما أنا فأبحث عن القلب.

أولًا: “إن لم ترجعوا”

الرب لم يقل: “إن لم تصبحوا أطفالًا”، بل قال: “إن لم ترجعوا.”

فالرجوع هو التوبة. أي العودة إلى الحالة الأولى، إلى بساطة القلب التي فقدناها.

الطفل لا يحمل حقدًا، أما نحن فنحتفظ بالإساءات سنوات.
الطفل ينسى بسرعة، أما نحن فنتذكر كل كلمة وكل موقف.
الطفل يثق، أما نحن فامتلأنا شكًا وخوفًا.

قال القديس أغسطينوس:

“التوبة ليست مجرد ترك الخطية، بل هي رجوع القلب إلى الله.”

وقال القديس يوحنا ذهبي الفم:

“المسيح لا يطلب منا جهل الأطفال، بل نقاوتهم.”

ثانيًا: صفات الطفل التي يريدها المسيح

1. الاتضاع

الطفل لا يطلب المجد لنفسه.

لذلك أكمل المسيح قائلاً:

“فمن وضع نفسه مثل هذا الولد فهو الأعظم.”

الاتضاع هو الباب الوحيد الذي يدخل منه الإنسان إلى الملكوت.

قال الأنبا أنطونيوس:

“رأيت جميع شباك العدو منصوبة على الأرض، فتنهدت وقلت: من ينجو منها؟ فسمعت صوتًا يقول: المتواضع.”

2. الثقة الكاملة

الطفل يمسك يد أبيه ولا يخاف.

وهكذا المؤمن الحقيقي.

قال داود:

“الرَّبُّ رَاعِيَّ فَلاَ يُعْوِزُنِي شَيْءٌ.” (مز 23)

وقال القديس كيرلس الكبير:

“الإيمان هو أن تستريح النفس في يد الله كما يستريح الطفل في حضن أمه.”

3. القلب النقي

الطفل لا يعرف الرياء.

لا يلبس أقنعة.

ما في قلبه على لسانه.

لهذا قال الرب:

“طُوبَى لِلأَنْقِيَاءِ الْقَلْبِ لأَنَّهُمْ يُعَايِنُونَ اللهَ.”

4. سرعة الغفران

الطفل يتشاجر ثم بعد دقائق يعود للعب.

أما الإنسان الكبير فيترك الخصومة تكبر داخله.

قال القديس إسحق السرياني:

“القلب الذي لا يغفر لا يستطيع أن يذوق سلام الله.”

5. القابلية للتعلم

الطفل دائم التعلم.

أما الكبرياء فيقول: “أنا أعرف.”

ولهذا يقول الكتاب:

“تَعَلَّمُوا مِنِّي، لأَنِّي وَدِيعٌ وَمُتَوَاضِعُ الْقَلْبِ.”

ثالثًا: ما الذي يفقدنا روح الطفولة؟

* الكبرياء.
* الاعتماد على الذات أكثر من الله.
* كثرة الإدانة.
* التعقيد والمكر.
* محبة الظهور.

قال القديس مقاريوس الكبير:

“كلما امتلأ القلب بالله، صار بسيطًا.”

رابعًا: كيف نرجع ونصير مثل الأولاد؟

1. بتوبة يومية صادقة.
2. بالاعتراف المستمر.
3. بالصلاة البسيطة الخارجة من القلب.
4. بقراءة الإنجيل بروح التلميذ لا بروح الناقد.
5. بمسامحة الجميع.
6. بالاتكال الكامل على الله.

تطبيق عملي

اسأل نفسك اليوم:

* هل أستطيع أن أسامح مثل الطفل؟
* هل أثق في الله كما يثق الطفل في أبيه؟
* هل ما زال قلبي بسيطًا؟
* هل أبحث عن المجد أم عن المسيح؟
* هل رجعت فعلًا أم ما زلت بعيدًا؟

الخاتمة

الله لا يطلب منا أن نكون أطفالًا في التفكير، بل أطفالًا في النقاوة، والاتضاع، والثقة، والمحبة.

وكما يقول القديس بولس:

“كُونُوا أَوْلاَدًا فِي الشَّرِّ، وَأَمَّا فِي الأَذْهَانِ فَكُونُوا كَامِلِينَ.” (1 كورنثوس 14: 20)

فلنقف أمام الله اليوم طالبين منه قلبًا جديدًا، قلبًا بسيطًا، يشبه قلب الطفل، حتى نستحق وعد المسيح: “لأن لمثل هؤلاء ملكوت السماوات.” آمين.

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