We have been commanded not to revile or abuse in return those who revile and insult us, but rather to speak well of them and to bless them (Matthew 5:44). For in so far as we are at peace with men, we fight again the demons; but when we feel rancor towards our brothers and fight against them, we are at peace with the demons, whom we have been taught to hate ‘with perfect hatred’ (Psalm 139:22), fighting against them without mercy.
~St Theodoros the Great Ascetic
