Week 4 - Wednesday

Bible Passage

James 4:6-7

Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Commentary

Abba Macarius and the Devil

Abba Macarius was returning from the marshes to his cell, carrying some palm leaves. He met the devil on the road, who was holding a scythe. The devil struck at him as much as he liked, but he could not harm him. Then the devil said, ‘What is your power, Macarius, that makes me powerless against you? I do all that you do. You fast, so do I; you keep vigil, and I do not sleep at all. In only one thing do you surpass me.’ Abba Macarius asked, ‘What is that?’ The devil replied, ‘Your humility. Because of that, I can do nothing against you.’