Could You Really Make a Deal with the Devil?

[JamesR]

I asked this before on a "World" Orthodoxy forum but never on here before. So I've always been fascinated by the making-deals-with-Devils genre of literature like Faust or The Devil and Tom Walker, and it has me wondering; can a person really summon the Devil or demons and make a binding deal with them? Likewise, do demons and Devils really exist, if so, how big of a part do they play in our lives? Being perfectly honest, I don't think I would mind running into one and even considering making a deal. I just want some answers to all of my deep questions and spiritual doubts; if God won't answer my prayers or talk to me, then maybe the Devil would?

[Maria]

I asked this before on a "World" Orthodoxy forum but never on here before. So I've always been fascinated by the making-deals-with-Devils genre of literature like Faust or The Devil and Tom Walker, and it has me wondering; can a person really summon the Devil or demons and make a binding deal with them? Likewise, do demons and Devils really exist, if so, how big of a part do they play in our lives? Being perfectly honest, I don't think I would mind running into one and even considering making a deal. I just want some answers to all of my deep questions and spiritual doubts; if God won't answer my prayers or talk to me, then maybe the Devil would?

Do not dabble with the devil.

Please do not even entertain the idea.

[Maria]

My suggestions below may irritate some folks because these books were not written by True Orthodox.

In your classes, have you ever read the short story, Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne?

While it is true that Nathaniel Hawthorne was not a Christian, but an avowed freemason, he does show the risk one takes when trying to make contact with the devil, that old shapeshifter and ancient enemy of man. The devil cannot be trusted.

In An Anthonite Gerontikon: Sayings of the Holy Fathers of Mount Athos by Archimandrite Ioannikios, Holy Monastery of St. Gregory Palamas, Kouphalia, Thessaloniki, Greece, 1997, there are several stories of monastics who had contact with the devil. None of them escaped harm. Most died a horrible death. A few were able to repent and live.

In C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, Lewis explains how the devil tempts us. This book is extremely important as it exposes most of the tricks the devil uses to deceive us.

[Maria]

Finally, if you want to read a book that is entertaining, riveting, and meant for young adults,
there is one written by Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising: The Complete Sequence.
I purchased the paperback anthology from Amazon.com. It will not disappoint you.

This is an epic battle between good and evil. Again, it is not written for True Orthodox, but like those books written by C.S. Lewis, whose style she captures, this books leaves you cheering the good and disdaining anything to do with evil or the devil.

[Lydia]

Well, James, what exactly do you want and what are you willing to give back in this "deal?"
If you are searching for answers or truth, rest assured Satan does not deal in these commodities.
If you want wealth, power, property, fame, etc., I'm sure these could be had for a reasonable price. Satan is master of the world, after all.
However, there is only one thing you possess that Satan will take in exchange.

Our Loving God also values that one thing you possess and he has paid a price for it already: His incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection.
Pay your debt to The Saviour, not The Devil.

[JamesR]

I mostly just want answers to my deepest longings and questions. So many spiritual doubts and questions plague my mind every day, and oftentimes my Priest takes forever to answer them or I have trouble accepting his answers. For starters, I still don't get why there is so much evil in the world and why we have to suffer, why the Church has done so much evil in its past if it's supposed to be the pillar and ground of the truth and why God won't talk to me and how I'm supposed to know if Orthodoxy is the true religion or not. I mean, I feel like it's a somewhat noble desire. I don't really care for wealth or power or money. Everyone here seems to be advising me against the thought of even considering getting involved with the Devil, but why not? If God isn't answering me then who else do I have? I feel like I'm at the point where nothing short of a miraculous Divine experience of seeing or hearing God myself and receiving answers could save me. But I don't get anything. I just want the Devil to answer the questions for me that God doesn't seem to be answering. I don't know what I could give him, but I'd give anything for answers.

[Lydia]

If you are having difficulty accepting the counsel of your priest, then you must pray and strive for humility and obedience.
You wrote earlier that a monastic life appealed to you; monasticism is a life of humility, obedience and self-denial. You could start on that path by simply accepting the answers of your spiritual father.

Dear James, what you are longing for, I think we all want: Peace of mind and the certainty that we are correct.
But, we all struggle with doubt and confusion.

God sees your struggle, He hears every word, knows every thought and desire and nothing can separate you from His love. He also answers every prayer. Sometimes the answer is no or the answer is right in front of you. When you become a little older and look back, you will be surprised at how quickly God responded to you, only your blindness prevented you from knowing this.

Dear brother in Christ, I beg you to put the thought of communion with Satan or his minions away from you. You will NOT find truth in him. He is a liar and the father of lies.

Once again, I urge you to PM one of the priests who contribute to this forum.