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THE NOON-DAY DEVIL
The
devil of despondency or the noon-day devil is the most grievous of all
the devils. It attacks the Christian soul about 10:00 a.m. and
surrounds the soul up to 2:00 p.m. It begins by giving the soul the
impression that time is too slow. It urges the soul to look around for
distractions. Then it arouses in the soul vexation against the place
and his work.
This
is the time he remembers all his enemies and all the hurt they had
done to him, making him long for other places, another work, another
companion. Thoughts of relatives and former good times come to mind.
This
devil attacks only soulds who are seriously working out their
salvation; he does not touch those with no interest in saving their
soul. Sinners are usually doing a good job destroying their own souls;
they don't need the devil.
But
if the Christian soul fights and conquers, this struggle is followed
by a peaceful state and the soul becomes filled with ineffable
joy.
St.
Abba Evagrius
(06-09-03) | 
