Here’s a further take by Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov on the Power of the Name of the Jesus. This is the beginning of a chapter by the same name from his book On the Prayer of Jesus
“Among the mysterious, wonderful properties of the name of Jesus is the power and property of expelling demons. This property was disclosed by the Lord himself. He said of those who believe in Him, in My name shall they cast out devils (Mark 16:17). Special attention must be paid to this property of the name of Jesus, because it is of the greatest importance for those practicing the prayer of Jesus. First of all, a few words must be said concerning the dwelling of demons in human beings. This occurs in two ways: one can be called sensible, the other moral. Satan dwells sensibly in a man when he occupies the man’s body, and tortures body and soul……………Satan dwells morally in a man when the man becomes the door of the devil’s will.”
These words were written in the middle 1800′s. Today, we would almost never think of anybody literally being possessed by demons in these fashions. Modern medicine explains away the mental or physical distress that in the past was readily accepted as sensible possession by a demon. We think of moral possession as a simple lack of self control.
Even after considering this passage for some time, I remain quite reluctant to think of my moral failings as being caused, even in part, by external pressures inflicted by real demons that my bodily senses can not readily identify.
In the end, however, I am not sure that such a distinction matters. If in today’s world, demons are only figurative, the result remains the same. I am still a sinner who lacks the ability to rid myself of the habits and indiscretions that are the root of my sinfulness.
And the cure also remains the same. Mindfulness of the presence of Jesus is the surest method of controlling my least wholesome impulses.
And the Jesus Prayer, remembered often during the day, is a great way to exercise that mindfulness.
So I say for the umpteenth time today,
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”