Athanasius of Alexandria on Spiritual warfare
Through those means, and also by commanding evil spirits to leave, or exorcising them, in Christ's name
"But we need not fear their suggestions, for by prayer, fasting, and faith in the Lord their attack immediately fails."
THE POSITION
Since Christ came the enemy is fallen and his powers weakened. Any Christian may put demons to flight with prayer, fasting, faith, the sign of the cross and the name of Christ, and Antony cleanses others of evil spirits. Two warnings sit beside this: fear God only and despise the demons, and take no pride in casting them out, because the signs are the Saviour's work.
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
6 OTHERS HOLD THIS
ABOUT THIS FIGURE
Defender of Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism through repeated exiles. On the Incarnation is his central work on why God became man.
Cite this page
"Athanasius of Alexandria on Spiritual warfare", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/athanasius/spiritual-warfare (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/athanasius/spiritual-warfare).