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Explanation for:
Matthew
17
:
20
But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In this context, when He refers to demons, He is speaking broadly, not limited to those afflicted by madness. Notice how He even addresses the necessity of fasting to the apostles early on. Don't bring up the rare exceptions when some individuals were able to cast out demons without fasting. While it is noted that a few did so, a person engrossed in worldly pleasures cannot truly confront such a challenge; instead, those burdened by such issues have a particular need for fasting. You may question the purpose of fasting if faith is essential. However, alongside faith, fasting provides immense fortitude. It imparts profound wisdom, transforms a man, and strengthens him against spiritual adversaries. Yet, fasting alone is insufficient; prayer is also vital and should precede it. Contemplate the advantages that arise from these two virtues. A person who prays appropriately and simultaneously fasts has very few needs; those who require little are not consumed by greed, and those free from greed are generous givers. A person who observes fasting becomes light and cheerful, able to pray with a joyful spirit, subdues sinful desires, earns God's favor, and humbles their proud heart. This is why the apostles consistently practiced fasting. \\n\\nOne who prays while fasting possesses wings, lighter than the very wind. Such an individual does not fall into lethargy, doesn’t talk excessively, doesn’t yawn, or grow lax in their prayers, as often happens with many; instead, they soar like fire and rise above the earth, becoming a formidable adversary against demons, for there is no stronger individual than one who prays with sincerity. If a woman can humble a tyrant who shows no fear of God or shame before others, how much more can one who stands continuously before God, exercises self-control, and renounces physical indulgences invoke His mercy? If your body lacks the strength for continuous fasting, know that it can still engage in prayer and refrain from indulgence in bodily pleasures. If fasting proves difficult, at least avoid overindulgence; this act is significant and is not far removed from fasting, and it can subdue the frenzy of evil. Indeed, there is no more favorable environment for demons than indulgence and drunkenness, the root and source of all iniquity. By this very means, the devil led the Israelites into worshiping idols, and it ignited the sinful passions of the people of Sodom. As Scripture notes, “this was the iniquity of Sodom thy sister and her daughters: in pride, satiety, and idleness” (Ezekiel 16:49). In a similar way, he has led many others to destruction and to eternal damnation. Truly, what calamity does not stem from indulgence? It degrades humanity to the level of pigs, and even worse. A pig may wallow in muck and consume waste, yet a glutton revels in preparing the most loathsome feast, devising illicit relationships and immoral desires. Such a person mirrors the state of one possessed by demons; they exhibit the same shamelessness and aggression. While we may feel pity for the demon-possessed, such indulgent individuals inspire revulsion and hatred within us. Why is this? Because they rage uncontrollably, transforming their bodies into vessels of filth and moral decay. When we examine the inner self of such a person, we find a soul that is frozen and numb, akin to what one experiences in the harshest winter, rendered incapable of assisting their vessel due to overwhelming depravity."},{"author-name":"Basil the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889927158e4af30595484_Basil%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Fasting serves as a powerful tool for the faithful in their struggle against evil spirits, as it is written that this type can only be overcome through prayer and fasting. The advantages of fasting are abundant!"},{"author-name":"Romanos Melodos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89774ed5fa62ff880bee5_Romanos%20Melodos.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":6,"exegesis-text":"Through the practice of abstinence, unclean spirits are compelled to leave, as they cannot withstand its sweetness, preferring instead the excess of food and drink. When they confront the face of fasting, they lack the power to resist and promptly retreat, just as our Lord and Creator, Christ, instructs: ‘This kind, referring to the evil spirits, can only be driven out through fasting and prayer.’ Thus, we comprehend that it is those who adhere to this discipline who find in penance the promise of eternal life."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"This same lineage, referring to the lineage of demons, can only be expelled through prayer and fasting. It is particularly essential for those under demonic influence and those seeking to liberate themselves from it to fast. Genuine prayer occurs when it is accompanied by fasting rather than excess and indulgence. Consider the lesson that every act of faith begins as a small mustard seed. Though it may appear insignificant amid the fervor of preaching, when planted in the right environment, it can grow into a large tree, providing a home for the birds of the air, symbolizing thoughts that rise above. Thus, even a person with tepid faith can command this mountain to move, representing the demon. Indeed, the Lord revealed a demon being cast out."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The entire realm of demonic forces can only be confronted through the combined practices of prayer and fasting, which not only bring healing but also bear the weight of suffering, and indeed, even amplify it. For the adversary, prayer is profoundly unsettling; however, it is the act of fasting that fortifies this power, preventing any indulgence from diminishing physical strength or any encumbrances from clouding the intellect. When the body is robust and the mind remains focused, prayer ascends with greater intensity than fire and is more formidable than anything else. Consequently, prayer and fasting must always be intertwined."},{"author-name":"Dorotheus the Hieromonk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":17,"exegesis-text":"Prayer and fasting serve to dispel all distractions, calm the agitated mind, maintain inner silence, focus our attention, and bring clarity. These practices expel unclean spirits from individuals and provide healing to those afflicted by demons, as the Lord states: ‘But this kind is cast out only by prayer and fasting.’ It is through Jesus' prayer and fasting that the mind is purified and clarified, revealing that much of our inner darkness originates from demonic influences that reside within us. Therefore, it is paramount to engage diligently in the Jesus prayer, which, when internalized, drives out unclean spirits and dispels confusion, constantly purifying the mind through unending exertions. \\n\\nFurthermore, we should be committed to daily fasting, watchfulness, and sober prayer, primarily focusing inwardly. Constant prayer and a vigilant mindset act as sentinels that guard our spiritual treasures, our minds, and our service to God from being ravaged by demons, empowering individuals to devote themselves to divine service. Once an individual’s mind and soul are cleansed, deceptive dreams cease. Before purification, all dreams are rooted in demonic deceit, no matter how accurate they may appear. Prayer and fasting serve as defenses against demonic influence within us. \\n\\nPrayer, likened to a breath of grace, purifies the spirit, fills the mind with enlightenment, and instills diligence in the believer. Prayer, when paired with mindfulness, safeguards the soul, extinguishing forgetfulness much like water quenches fire. This virtue merits the title of beautiful light due to the illumination it brings. Through love for prayer, one can transform from sinful, unworthy, and vile into holy and gracious; from unwise and foolish into wise and astute; and from unjust and harsh into righteous and merciful. Moreover, it enables you to become contemplators of divine mysteries, theologians, and seers, through the invocation of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Many holy fathers have affirmed that the Jesus Prayer is the source of all blessings and a treasure of virtues, quickly granting individuals the grace of the Holy Spirit and leading to salvation. It unveils the hidden, offers discernment, and provides guidance.\\n\\nJust as one sees their reflection in a mirror, through vigilant and vigorous prayer a person discerns the state of their life—is it lived righteously or poorly? This focused prayer eradicates the shadows of passions, liberates from all demonic snares, and conquers thoughts, words, and actions of evil. It recognizes all visions and obsessions of malice and overcomes all natural desires, feelings, and sufferings. It assists and purifies in every demonic temptation. Like a fiery sword, it cleaves through; for it is God, before Whom all things retreat. No other force can vanquish demons and their deceptions except for vigilant and frequent Jesus prayer, grounded in a clear mind and humility. Without guidance in this Jesus prayer, holy fathers contend that a person struggles and may suffer, grasping its significance without knowing the proper execution in accordance with its depth. \\n\\nMisguidedly believing they have attained perfection, such individuals may become absorbed in dreams while harboring internal adversaries, failing to cleanse their soul and mind of passions tied to sobriety, focus on the heart, and guarding the senses. Those who do so are woefully overtaken by demons. When commencing this virtuous endeavor, one must first temper the passions. Next, they should refrain from actions displeasing to God. Furthermore, they must never do to a brother what they would themselves not wish to experience. Additionally, they should guard their mind against impure thoughts and temptations. Lastly, one must protect their heart from lust and immorality. This sobriety of mind and heart requires vigilance and humility to safeguard one’s thoughts and emotions. \\n\\nMoreover, restraining the desires of the flesh—through hunger and thirst—helps to shield the heart from lustful distractions and fosters the strength of prayer, overpowering and annihilating numerous passions and evil spirits. Grace flourishes within a person, as fasting and the Jesus Prayer embody the disciplines of restraint, purification, and strengthening that aid in keeping the heart sober. Sobriety itself is the foundation of praise and holiness; it entails purity of mind, heart, and soul—their clarity and transparency. The uncleanness of mind manifests in harmful thoughts and passions, while the heart's impurity leads to a craving for lust and immorality. Then, the soul's impurity is associated with mental passions, and the body’s impurity correlates to physical desires. \\n\\nOne cannot maintain a pure heart or avoid defilement if the flesh is not subdued through fasting and other ascetic disciplines. It is impossible for a priest to fulfill their role without fasting and other ascetic practices. Without spiritual efforts, the flesh will not submit to the spirit for holy work. Likewise, prayer does not ascend nor thrive without the mortification of the flesh, as natural needs and bodily health can impede us, kindling the flesh’s desires. Decay breeds unclean thoughts that corrupt the mind, leading both heart and body toward sensuality. The lustful inclinations of thoughts and heart lead to the corruption of soul and body, resulting in the departure of grace from individuals, emboldening evil spirits to possess them and manipulate the flesh and soul into passions.\\n\\nThese spirits can influence the mind toward distraction and oblivion, ultimately leading one into sinful temptation. Let us consistently uphold fasting, discipline, and spiritual labor as a refuge from demonic oppression and mental captivity. Fasting purifies the body, nourishes, strengthens, and empowers prayer. Like flame rising from fire, fasting and mindful prayer ascend, scorching demons so that they cannot approach, similar to a burning furnace, nor can they inflict harm upon a pure soul and sober body. To our God be glory always, now and forever, unto ages of ages."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"This struggle: Which struggle? The lineage of evil spirits. It is important to observe that He did not state that this lineage is expelled through prayer and fasting alone; rather, He emphasized that it can only be driven out through prayer and fasting, underlining that among all virtues, only these two serve as the tools the faithful wield against evil spirits. To bring healing to the possessed, both the healer and the afflicted must engage in fasting and prayer. Jesus Christ addressed the father's lack of faith concerning his son by delivering a reprimand, while He demonstrated the depth of fervent faith to His disciples through His actions. He also addressed the demonic affliction of the sufferer during the new moon by issuing a command, illustrating the methods by which believers can drive out demons. Furthermore, He predicted His own suffering and resurrection."},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"If a generation is expelled through the intercession of another's prayer and fasting, one must consider the lesser chance of it entering a person who engages in their own fasting and prayer. This serves as a protective barrier. Despite the fact that demons are formidable and abound in the air around us, they cannot harm one who is safeguarded by prayer and fasting. Fasting signifies complete abstinence, while prayer embodies a thorough communion with God; the former offers protection from external threats, and the latter equips one to launch spiritual attacks against adversaries from within. A person devoted to fasting and prayer emits a fragrance detectable by demons, who instinctively flee to avoid the impending harm. Is it unreasonable to conclude that where fasting and prayer are absent, demons may reside? It is plausible. Demons inhabiting a person often conceal their presence, subtly guiding their host towards all manner of wickedness and away from the good, leading them to believe they are acting of their own accord while actually executing their enemy's designs. However, the moment one dedicates themselves to prayer and fasting, the enemy retreats, biding its time for an opportunity to return, which it does as soon as prayer and fasting are neglected."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord indicated that this scenario demanded an exceptionally robust faith, which should manifest itself in prayer so fervent that one might overlook even their physical needs. Only through prayer and fasting can one combat the same kind of demons that afflict both the sufferer and the healer; yet in this situation, such strong faith was lacking. St. Chrysostom remarks on how Christ even directed the Apostles towards the practice of fasting. Fasting accompanied by faith imbues a person with considerable strength, elevating them spiritually and fortifying them against spiritual adversaries. However, this alone is insufficient; prayer is essential and must come before fasting. This is why the Apostles frequently engaged in fasting. One who prays while fasting possesses two wings, lighter than the wind.\\n\\nSaint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, emphasizes the necessity and benefits of combining fasting with prayer, asserting that if the Apostles required this practice, surely we do as well. Miracle-workers find assistance through it; can we afford to overlook such aid? It contributes to triumph over the tormenting and overpowering spirits of evil; will it not also aid in subduing the flesh, which battles against the spirit? Blessed Jerome illustrates that “he who rages at new moons” symbolizes an individual who occasionally succumbs to various vices, at times falling into the sin of adultery, and then into those depths contrary to divine love. Thus, every sinner overtaken by passion is, in a spiritual sense, akin to a demon-possessed person who needs healing, and this restoration of the soul from passions cannot occur without fasting and prayer. When interpreting the Lord's reference to “this generation,” scholars highlight the varying degrees among evil spirits, just as there exists a hierarchy among angels in heaven; likewise, evil spirits also have ranks, with some being more powerful than others."},{"author-name":"Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896ffb7a2ebaf99e46539_Philaret%20of%20Moscow%20(Drosdow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He said to them, \\"This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting\\" (Mark 9:29). The significance of fasting in certain specific situations is made apparent through an encounter recounted in the Gospel. The Apostles, after receiving power and authority from the Lord to heal all demons and diseases (Lk. 9:1), traversed the land, proclaiming the good news and performing healings everywhere (Lk. 9:6). They encountered a mute man afflicted by a tormenting spirit and were unable to liberate him until the Lord Jesus, wielding His divine power and authority, intervened. After experiencing miracles that had become routine for them, their unexpected inability to cast out the mute spirit prompted them to question the Lord about their failure. The Lord responded, \\"This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.\\" Here we find the profound significance of fasting combined with prayer. It seems that when He bestowed the ability to cast out unclean spirits and heal ailments, He did not immediately require His apostles to fast in His presence, leaving such observance for the time of His impending Passion. Can the sons of the bridal feast fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days (Luke 5:34). It is clear that the apostles performed miracles not through intense fasting or extended prayer but by simply commanding in the name of Christ, relying on the authority they had been granted, and their commands were fulfilled. However, the strength of the evil spirit afflicting the mute man was formidable, necessitating the utmost level of grace and power to overcome it. The only means to achieve such blessed and effective power could be through faith, which was already active in the apostles. The Lord advocates for prayer and fasting, indicating that this kind of strength cannot be attained through any other means than through these practices. Can we not recognize the crucial nature of combining fasting with prayer? The apostles needed it; do we not find ourselves in need of it as well? Those who perform miracles require it too; can we afford to disregard such assistance? It plays a vital role in triumphing over the oppressive and dominant forces of evil: is it not essential in subduing the desires of the flesh that oppose the spirit?"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"“This kind” refers to demons, such as the one that afflict the lunatic mentioned here, or broadly, all such spirits. “Cast out only by prayer and fasting”: to expel these particular demons, one requires a more profound faith, attained through earnest prayer and fasting. These practices detach an individual from worldly concerns, fostering a deeper relationship with God and thereby enhancing faith. Relating this to verse 20, we can summarize Jesus Christ's statement as follows: “If your faith is genuine and true, even if it is small, you will accomplish remarkable feats that appear impossible; however, to drive out these specific evil spirits, you must possess a level of faith that can only be reached through prayer and fasting; and in this instance, such faith was lacking.” You might ask, if faith is essential, what role does fasting play? Fasting, in conjunction with faith, grants immense strength, imparting wisdom and transforming a person into a being akin to an angel, fortifying them against spiritual adversaries. Yet, this alone is insufficient; prayer is also crucial. A person who fasts becomes light and uplifted, praying with joy... Those who pray with fasting soar like the wind, swift as fire and above the earth, thus becoming formidable foes against demons, as there is no stronger individual than one who prays sincerely."}]}
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