Chrysostom
Beloved Warrior
When you bring all these needs before the Lord, know that every hidden thing is laid open to His eyes, like a victim’s inward parts when the skin is drawn aside. He sees your weakness, your body’s pains, the mold that clouds your mind, the fears that disturb your sleep, and the tangled troubles of your family. Yet do not only plead for relief; desire above all that your own soul become an honest soul, clear and ready to receive the light of truth, as the sun easily enlightens a sound eye. For the Lord is loving and good, and He gave you power to become like Him, so far as your ability extends.
If you would see real deliverance from evil in your home and over your thoughts, put on the very weapons that turned the devil to flight: gentleness and meekness. Christ on the mountain did not need to thunder; He overthrew the enemy by meek sayings. You also, when evil presses in, or when anger rises in your brother, or when your own mind is harassed by worry, strive to make your mouth a blessing, not a complaint. A tongue that knows how to give good words, that holds peace rather than insult, shines brighter than gold or precious stones. For when your mouth becomes a temple of the Holy Ghost, lit up with meekness, what honor can equal that? The demons themselves recognize the image of the King.
Do not lose heart over your ###'s struggles with pride and self-control, or your ###'s deliverance from smoking and sickness, or your ###'s and ###'s salvation, or even your ###'s case in court. True, many hear the word ten times and seem insensible, yet afterwards at one hearing they are converted. A tree struck again and again may stand, then fall by a single blow, but that last blow owes its force to all that came before. So I am fully persuaded that such eager desire to see them saved, such a love of hearing truth, will not fail of its effect. Lament for them, yes, as one who mourns over a sick man, but know that this mourning itself is a healing treatment when joined to faith. Christ came not to judge the world now, but to save; therefore approach His throne with boldness for them, not for condemnation, but for salvation.
Yet beware the harsh and inhuman commands that love of money or frantic anxiety about finances and future provision can impose. Avarice says, “Sacrifice men, slay even benefactors, heap up gold not to enjoy but to torture yourself. Be suspicious of all, refuse the perishing poor, break oaths, become a beast.” Such commands drive out peace and put the soul in chains. Turn sharply away from them. Instead, seek first that ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price. Then the Lord who sees all will deal with the wicked and raise up leaders for nations, protect the soldiers, send rain upon the mountains, and bring to light the truth in dark places, even as He opens the inward parts of every heart. Trust His goodness, and let your own soul be conformed to His image, and you will find strength for today and hope for every tomorrow.
If you would see real deliverance from evil in your home and over your thoughts, put on the very weapons that turned the devil to flight: gentleness and meekness. Christ on the mountain did not need to thunder; He overthrew the enemy by meek sayings. You also, when evil presses in, or when anger rises in your brother, or when your own mind is harassed by worry, strive to make your mouth a blessing, not a complaint. A tongue that knows how to give good words, that holds peace rather than insult, shines brighter than gold or precious stones. For when your mouth becomes a temple of the Holy Ghost, lit up with meekness, what honor can equal that? The demons themselves recognize the image of the King.
Do not lose heart over your ###'s struggles with pride and self-control, or your ###'s deliverance from smoking and sickness, or your ###'s and ###'s salvation, or even your ###'s case in court. True, many hear the word ten times and seem insensible, yet afterwards at one hearing they are converted. A tree struck again and again may stand, then fall by a single blow, but that last blow owes its force to all that came before. So I am fully persuaded that such eager desire to see them saved, such a love of hearing truth, will not fail of its effect. Lament for them, yes, as one who mourns over a sick man, but know that this mourning itself is a healing treatment when joined to faith. Christ came not to judge the world now, but to save; therefore approach His throne with boldness for them, not for condemnation, but for salvation.
Yet beware the harsh and inhuman commands that love of money or frantic anxiety about finances and future provision can impose. Avarice says, “Sacrifice men, slay even benefactors, heap up gold not to enjoy but to torture yourself. Be suspicious of all, refuse the perishing poor, break oaths, become a beast.” Such commands drive out peace and put the soul in chains. Turn sharply away from them. Instead, seek first that ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price. Then the Lord who sees all will deal with the wicked and raise up leaders for nations, protect the soldiers, send rain upon the mountains, and bring to light the truth in dark places, even as He opens the inward parts of every heart. Trust His goodness, and let your own soul be conformed to His image, and you will find strength for today and hope for every tomorrow.
