Renewal in Christ: Athanasius on the Christian Life

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Renewal in Christ: Athanasius on the Christian Life

“You see,” he said, “that neither by the spirit of lust nor by blows did we stop the man, but that he braves us; let us attack him in another fashion.” Now changes of form for evil are easy for the devil, so in the night they made such a noise that the whole of that place seemed to be shaken by an earthquake, and the demons as if breaking the four walls of the dwelling seemed to enter through them, coming in the likeness of beasts and creeping things. And the place was suddenly filled with the forms of lions, bears, leopards, bulls, serpents, snakes, scorpions, and wolves, and each of them was moving according to his nature. The lion was roaring, wishing to attack, the bull seeming to toss with its horns, the serpent creeping but unable to approach, and the wolf as it rushed on was restrained; altogether the noises of the creatures, with their angry ragings, were dreadful. But Antony, stricken and provoked by them, felt bodily pains more severe still. He lay watching,* however, with unshaken soul, groaning from bodily anguish; but his mind was clear, and, as in mockery, he said, “If there had been any power in you, it would have been enough had one of you come, but since the Lord has made you weak, you attempt to terrify me by numbers: and a proof of your weakness is that you take the shapes of brute beasts.” And again, with boldness he said, “If you are able, and have received power against me, delay not to attack; but if you are unable, why trouble me uselessly? For faith in our Lord is a seal and a wall of safety to us.” So after many attempts they gnashed their teeth upon him, because they were mocking themselves rather than him. §10 – Delivered by the Lord Nor was the Lord then forgetful of Antony’s wrestling, but was at hand to help him. So looking up he saw the