The devil is a troll - don't fall for his 'entertainment' and false battles

[@mullmonastery]

To support our Monasteries on Mull and Iona, join our Online Community here mullmonastery.com/our-online-community/ Sign up for our 2025 Summer Pilgrimages to the Celtic Isles here mullmonastery.com/the-celtic-islands-pilgrimage/ To make a donation, click here mullmonastery.com/donation/ May God bless us all!

[@liM-gf5yf]

I have wasted a significant portion of my life indulging in world news and the ever changing opinions under the guise of being an informed citizen. However, over the past few years, I’ve noticed a decline in my mental well being and growing sense of hopelessness. Thank you father! This message was very timely. I will now focus more on Gods word and prioritize my well-being.

[@wallygoodwin3207]

Roman Catholic here, I love your channel brother! I pray for unity!

[@clairemccartin]

me to for it’s all a mess

[@mullmonastery]

May Christ, in His eternal Love, teach us how to speak in love to each other, dear one, so that His Truth may shine forth and we may all be one again, as we were in the first millennium.

[@auk7447]

Another Catholic here. I pray for unity too. I feel so very drawn to the Eastern expression of church. It isn't in contradiction, but something like a different emphasis. I have had a sense that this foundation and the sisters in Scotland and I believe Ireland could be missionaries who spark a reunification of East and West. a bit embarrassed to put this to writing, but, there you go.... Thank you again Father

[@angelwings3128]

✝️🙏🏻

[@angelwings3128]

@@mullmonastery- ✝️🙏🏻

[@ckagne]

Thank you Father for the reminder the Evil one’s play book uses his distraction double dip; trying to get us to look away from God and to waste our one finite resource of time.

[@mullmonastery]

Time is not of essence for a spirit, dear one, but it is painfully limited for us. An hour will seem like eternity when the time comes for all of us to leave this body and entrust our souls to Christ. Why waste this eternity? Why spend this eternity focusing on the empty distractions of the evil one? be blessed, and please remember us in your prayers.

[@TheMOV13]

I realised just yesterday that I was getting MUCH too caught up in the issues and discussions concerning the unrest across the UK in recent weeks.

[@mullmonastery]

St Seraphim has that beautiful word of Divine wisdom: 'acquire the Holy Spirit and thousands around you will be saved' - if we focused more on that, on acquiring the Holy Spirit, instead of getting distracted with all the fireworks of the devil, the world would be an entirely different place, my dear one. This does not apply to you alone, but to all of us, myself more than anyone.

[@TheMOV13]

@@mullmonastery Thank you Father

[@tina-mariecrocker5687]

Many of us are getting caught in this trap

[@Дмитрий-о8м9с]

Same here, UK, Olympics, wars… deleted Twitter (X) from my phone to reduce amount of devil’s distraction

[@barryallen5127]

Even I'm not orthodox or Roman catholic I listen to these videos, cause I know God can speak to me through these videos.

[@kevinzalac8945]

I’ve found that a lot of times if i have a question I will simply wait. Eventually a study note in the Orthodox Study Bible will answer it or the way a prayer is structured in a prayer book will provide insight. It’s frustrating to wait sometimes. But there’s nothing worth knowing on a deep level that should be instant. Thank you for your patience with us, father. God bless ☦️❤️

[@jimvermeer9451]

Ask for the Grace of Patients to God. For he is working his plan for you, Being patient is also a sign that you trust in Gods Will. are own will is the enemy.

[@mullmonastery]

I pray you realise how much grace you have already been given in simply being able to discern this path of wisdom, dear one. Waiting (in this context) is not a lazy, passive habit, but an intensely active process of controlling your own will and not allowing it to control you. I give glory to God for having taught you this wisdom. Please remember us in your prayers.

[@kevinzalac8945]

@@mullmonastery yes, father. Thank you. God bless your mission

[@markbrowne181]

I am a Catholic and thank God for this channel. I will be keeping Mull Monastery in my prayers, miserable sinner that I am.

[@truuluvv]

This helps me understand how the Holy Transfiguration relates to my daily life. "We become what we reflect", wow.

[@inezvasquez8104]

Timely. A struggle of mine is over thinking. Waiting for God's direction, but, first seeking this with prayer 🙏. Thank you.

[@mullmonastery]

Overthinking is bad, I know that from my own experience, dear one :) It is unhealthy spiritually, because it points to a non-sense: on the one hand, it suggests that we place our trust in our own intellectual ability; on the other, we don't really have that trust, which makes us go in circles in our minds over the situation. Have patience for a while and allow Christ to act in your life - He always does, He always finds a way to show you the way forward. Patience is difficult, but you can learn to practice it with peace.

[@inezvasquez8104]

@@mullmonastery thank you Father 🤗

[@keridwenx6457]

Beloved brother, I am a Catholic (whose heart aches regularly at the difficulties between our churches), but nonetheless I have a great affection and gratitude for your work, and you may hardly imagine the way I have fallen in the last month and neared despair as a consequence; your final exhortations have restored my hope in Christ immensely and I nearly cried. I am very grateful for you and please know that you and your brethren are in my prayers. 🤍

[@ecaterinatomescu7039]

Dear Father, We sincerely thank you for your encouraging words! Please pray for the recovery of one of my closest childhood friends, who recently had a terrible car accident and is now in a coma. His name is Vlad (Vlăduț). Thank you, Father, thank you, thank you!

[@djnv4702]

These reflections, Father, are an answer to prayer. Lord, bless you. 😢 🙏🏼

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless us all, dear one. We are grateful to God that He gave us something useful to offer you today.

[@aurelius1964]

Thank you for this word dear Father, it is especially easy for us to fall out of ourselves and thereby fall for this demonic trolling when the world is on fire (as it always is!). I pray for you and all the monastics on Mull and Iona, and remember you at the Proskomedia. Thank you for all you do in these islands. Your prayers!

[@mullmonastery]

The world is always on fire, dear father, as you very well pointed. If Christ calls us to actively give active witness to His Love in the world (life will force us, it will corner us in that position if that is His will), than may His will be done. Otherwise, we need to focus on Him, cleanse our temples of flesh and provide a place for Him to dwell in the world. Thank you for your prayers, may Christ return your love and care a thousand fold when you need Him most.

[@saltandlight93]

This year that i decided to actually visit the Orthodox church and actually start the process of becoming Orthodox I've had the most spiritual challenges of my life. Feels like a fight for my soul. But even before i went to the parish it was like this I'll say. Just got more intense after.

[@ElsieDreamWorld]

Dear father Serafim! You really there! I was so afraid, because I hadn’t found recents videos from you. God be blessed, and may HE bless you and the monasteries of Mull and Iona. Thank you for being there for us.

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God, dear one. I wonder why you couldn't find our videos, we have not yet taken a break this year. Be blessed and please remember us in your prayers.

[@conixonni8350]

I have watched your videos for a while and want to humbly say you have tuned my spiritual compass towards the true path. This video is the first of yours to make me think about and scrutinize my morals. By the grace of God, I hope to see you when I visit Mull next week.

[@terrytran9645]

Christ is in our midst. Thank you father, for an edifying lesson. And all the lessons. God bless you the monastery.

[@susannemyall7699]

Thank you Fr Seraphim, hope you wont bectoo long in Moldavia 🙏🙏🙏

[@mullmonastery]

Our annual pilgrimage there takes 11 days, dear one, but I always go a few days earlier to see my spiritual father and to make sure that everything is prepared for our pilgrims (they come from all over the world, but mostly the US, Canada and UK). It is a WONDERFUL pilgrimage and we all look forward to it every year.

[@Myfaceuh]

Amen! Thank you for these videos. Im seriously considering joining the Orthodox church

[@TheMOV13]

Are you part of any Christian organisation/church now already?

[@Myfaceuh]

@@TheMOV13 I'm protestant. I attend the free church of Scotland

[@mullmonastery]

May God continue to guide you, dear one. Walk slowly, but walk with faith and courage. Don't listen to the voices that push you forward, don't listen to the voices that push you backwards. If you have walked this path so far, that is proof that there is a quiet voice in you already, the quiet voice of Christ leading you. Focus on that voice alone and you will find His Truth.

[@Myfaceuh]

@@mullmonastery Thank you for taking the time to give me advice. It's much appreciated. That quiet voice has been leading me towards Orthodoxy for over a year now. I'm slowly learning

[@bobsweeney7644]

Thank you Father.

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God, dear one. Please keep us in your prayers.

[@Patrbrid1]

Oh Father, I wish every young person in this world could hear and be blessed by this. Prayers for your pilgrimage may you be rested and rejuvenated with our dear Lords mercy, & love.

[@juliagriffiths3291]

Thank you. Answer to my pray. Xx

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God for all good things, dear one. Please keep us in your prayers.

[@marijawisocav]

Thank you Father ♥️ this meant a lot!

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God, dear one. Please remember us in your prayers.

[@beausworkshop3157]

Thank you for this message.

[@imao7429]

God bless you 🙏 ❤️ 🙌 all

[@mullmonastery]

May we all be blessed, dear one. Please keep us in your prayers.

[@FeffiCS]

Thanks you, made me cry ❤

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God that He allowed us to offer something today that was of use to you, dear one. Please keep us in your prayers.

[@beckymartin1810]

This was very helpful and profound. Thank you

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God, dear one. Please remember us in your prayers.

[@irinaki2011]

Thank you father Seraphim 🙏I feel that you knew how I feel today cause your words touched the very deep of my soul. I have not stopped crying today as I’m bearing a very big cross for almost 2 years and it keeps getting heavier and I feel so alone knowing that I have Jesus on my side, and that’s what keeps me going.

[@mullmonastery]

The heavier the cross, my dear one, the more you share in Christ's suffering for the world. There is a humbling sign of trust in this - a sign that Christ knew when He gave you life that you could carry this cross with Him, a sign of the deep love, respect and trust He has for you in entrusting you with such a heavy cross. Be blessed, dear one, and may you move forward with faith and courage - you are never alone, as you well know.

[@irinaki2011]

@@mullmonastery Thank you and God bless you too father 🙏☦️❤️

[@SheldonBrown567]

Thank you thank you ❤

[@lindaphillips4646]

Absolutely remarkable. Remarkable. ☦️💜📿💜☦️

[@MariePierre.Y]

The story of the old monk is soooooooooo powerful, I can feel this incredible battle he had to go through. I am in such a battle myself, this story is going to help me. Thank you. (I am closer to evangelical faith but I appreciate your profound humanity, authenticity and wiseness).

[@OrthodoxIslands]

God bless you dear fr ☦️ 😊

[@NinevehMusicNZ-xf8yj]

God spoke to me through you father. This is exactly what I was supposed to hear . Lord Jesus have mercy on me Please pray for me father. I am going to join a monastery on August 15th . I am heavily tempted. My mind is a tornado now.

[@Mark-id8ff]

Thank you, Father; you blessed me and may God bless you. Please pray for me.

[@eric6713]

For years I have heard messages , BUT THIS IS THE BEST ONE I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE !!

[@florencetivoli10]

Thankyou Father, I hope to do the Pilgrimage to Moldovia next year. Please keep my family in your prayers.

[@didihrpro3499]

Father, thank you for your message, you always speak to my questions. Lord have mercy. ☦️🙏🕊❤️

[@Lillbetlayne]

I’m scared of not being saved if I can’t become a saint, and I was listening to a podcast last night that you can’t expect sainthood as a common person because it’s even hard for a monk or nun. I want to become completely consumed by Christ so that I never sin so bad again. I need complete repentance. But I’m married and I have children… I need hope.

[@MacrinaParry]

Dear Lillbet In the Orthodox chuch all are called to be saints, but few are officially recognized. We understand that there are many more unknown saints than known and canonized saints. Saints are canonized to be special examples to us. Monasticism is the right path for those who are called to monastic life. Married life is another calling, another path to the same salvation. Christ did not say to pick up someone else's cross, he said "pick up your cross and follow me" Repentance is for all, and Christ is for all. But a godly mother is a most splendid treasure of the church! May God guide us, that his will be done in our lives. God bless, Macrina

[@matthewyounger6834]

Man, I can hear the holy spirit in those words. Thats some authority echoing across the digital divide, brother. 🔥

[@fotiniioannidis3375]

So powerful, and extremely topical. This talk came at exactly the right moment for me, and has helped SO much. Thank you for every word!

[@liamc1102]

Hallelujah, Brother. This was a message from God. Amen. May we continue to be renewed by the Word of God.

[@Joey-w6m]

Thank You Father 🗽❤️🙏✨🙏😻Enjoy your down time in beautiful Romania ❤️🙏

[@jenlovesjesus]

So enlightening. Thank you.

[@heatherjohnson609]

As always, you speak straight to my heart, Father. May you be blessed as you have blessed us.

[@Harris-u6m]

Amen, Amen

[@mchsy5554]

Thank you for your videos Father. You have helped me immensely and your words have brought me comfort. You have helped me turn to God when I experience panic attacks or ruminating thoughts. ☦️❤️

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God, dear one. Please remember us in your prayers - monastic life is never easy, never lacking temptation, and we all need the support and prayers of our brothers and sisters.

[@vazken9178]

I really needed to hear the entirety of this message. Truly inspired by Holy Spirit.

[@EvgheniaP]

Thank you with all my gratitude, Father Seraphim. It was an inspired word. Glory be to God who gave it to you!

[@grunerteedaughter3298]

Amazing advice, just what I needed! Thank you so much and God bless! ☦

[@Velociraptor74]

Thank you

[@noodles2459]

Thank you for this message. This helped me a lot.

[@alexaugustynski3620]

Thank you for this video my wise friend. I was in my cell and then the people I trusted served the tempter and did everything they could to lure me away and I trusted them and left my cell. I'm working on getting back to my cell. Things outside the cell are pretty stormy for me right now, which also makes it difficult. Thank you for the wise and sober advice. I am grateful. Pray for me that I might have the strength to bear my cross, which is crushingly heavy at times.

[@katiaantonova6949]

For me, this was the most beautiful and helpful video you have ever put out. Many blessings. You give us strength

[@fabianojukwu4229]

Very holy and true words Father. What light I get from you as well as I focus on the words that comes out from your mouth, because these words are graced ones and I felt nothing but peace while hearing you speak. Although I do focus on Jesus everyday and have peace in me but now I know what I must do to share fully in Christ’s epitome of light! You’re blessed padre, Bless me father. 🙏🏼

[@bobbyking2490]

God bless you, Father! Thank you so much for this video! Glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

[@carlykamps411]

This came at the perfect time. ❤

[@mattdellarosa7365]

Thank you Father Seraphim for your wise words. I'm just beginning my discovery of the Orthodox Church and your words are very healing to me in this season.

[@PatrickMurphyC]

Beautiful message; thank you Father

[@jjedix5]

Thank God that He speaks through your ministry. Please pray for me today that I may be able to live a Christ like life through humility and repentence.

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless and protect you, dear one. May He lead you forward, out of all darkness and into His Light. Please remember us in your prayers.

[@kerrytusc]

Thank you. I need to be reminded daily (hourly?!) that’s it’s not about me, but Christ. God help me!

[@markosva3eko251]

Jesus is allways in control . A if he be for us who shall be against us.

[@WORKOUTSOLUTIONS]

✝️ CHRIST IS RISEN ✝️ ❤🕊️☀️☦️ MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US SINNERS ☦️🙏⛪️❤️

[@leisuresuitlar123]

Thank you 🙏

[@RavynGuiliani]

This is truly one of the best presentations you have done! So relevant and spirit- filled! Thank you, dear one and may the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry!

[@tataleu1434]

Va multumesc pentru cuvant! Foarte adanc! Doamne ajuta!

[@alicebeshay6124]

I am so often carried away with all the turmoil in the world. Thank you so much, dear father, to let me see our real purpose in live with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have a lovely journey too Moldavia🙏🌹🌹🌹💒

[@emmaschauer5409]

Thank you, Father, for putting into words things that I have had on my heart for some time. Please pray for me. Christ is in our midst! Ruth

[@AndyPlatts-u2z]

Following a time of prayer for direction to sound teaching, I came across this lovely man - his teachings are just what I have been seeking in a world where condemnation and finger wagging, especially in American Christian circles has left me feeling ill-at-ease. Thank God for Father Seraphim.

[@alytzuca]

Multumesc Domnului pt cuvantul pe care vi l-a dat! A venit intr-un moment foarte greu din viata mea si o framantare pe care o aveam de ani buni. Sarut-mana si sa va tina Maica Domnului darul si sa va intareasca!

[@M-qj7md]

Thank you Father for your spiritual guidance that I and many among us needed to be reminded of.

[@andreamoreland9769]

Thank you for this message. Really spoke to my heart.

[@Chrisc-sn6uh]

Thank you father for these encouraging words. The temptation to be distracted by the world around us is so strong. This has been a powerful reminder of what is important! Your prayers! Christopher.

[@flammamoris]

Peace be with you ! That was very helpful though I’m Catholic. Thank you ! May God bless you !

[@thanasistama3943]

Amen!

[@ancadan9935]

Thank you. God bless you. ❤

[@zenekmorda]

As if you were talking to me. You're filled with the holy spirit, I see it in your every word. Thank you for these words. When I was younger, angels were able to fill my mind with thoughts, concepts, wisdom about spiritual matters. Many times I experienced When my heart and mind was filled with grace love that moments When I pray and I get more and more of gods grace sometimes I was afraid that my heart Will explode with this power from God. Thank you once more.

[@henriettanovember4733]

May you and your brothers be blessed too❤

[@ruthshivani]

Thanku 🙏🏽deeply powerful teaching - Thanku 🙏🏽🙏🏽🕯️

[@AuraDawn_Health]

Powerful. God bless ❤️

[@jaynemcswiney8957]

Thank you Father. Pax Christi.

[@Goury1]

Thank you for the powerful, important, and difficult teaching! I'm a Catholic and during my studies of Catholic theology, I asked one of the priests who taught me: "If I was forced to choose between saving a person's life or rejecting my faith, what should I do?" And the priest told me to always remain faithful to the Lord Jesus, even at the cost of someone else's life. In all honesty, I don't know if I would be strong enough to not sacrifice my faith, even at the cost of another person's life. This probably means that my relationship with Lord Jesus is still too weak... I just don't know what I would choose in such a situation...

[@pch3339]

These are unrealistic hypothetical situations. Please know that Jesus is not going to put you in that situation. Trust in Him.

[@Godsservant778]

Great video

[@araghazarossian289]

Thank you,brother seraphim, God bless you🙏❤️

[@katiejo1095]

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. ❤ We are witnesses to the truth ❤

[@jeanneelisabeth]

Thank you very much, dear Father Seraphim, for this very thought provoking and informative message.🎉❤🎉❤

[@miklosh515]

Great, just what I needed. Thanks

[@dunkeymonkey5991]

Knowing myself, I would have thought it was God's will that I save the boy. What a hard temptation! But none is beyond our abilities [Thanks to God], thank you for your message, you too may be abundantly blessed

[@saramalak3490]

Thank you dear father, again and again I find Christ speaking to me through you. May God give you abundantly and protect his grace in you. Please pray for me as I try to stay on the path towards Christ and keep my heart consecrated for him. The devil tries to steal my attention through reminders of many traumas I have been through and when that doesn’t work he torments me with the problems of those I love and their suffering. Please pray for me as I try to keep my mind on Christ and not on the distractions or the evil temptations.

[@cpardonme]

Thank you, Father- the Holy Spirit led me to this video at just the right time. I think I'm going to write "DON'T LEAVE YOUR CELL" in big letters by my desk. Praying for you!

[@sewingseeds]

Love from Lewis You were part of the inspiration for my defecting here

[@dobroslaw_yt]

The Spirit of Truth speaks through you, Father

[@Elany.lyon1388]

Wow that was a heavy story! As a mom that would have taken all my energy, not to help that apparition. Makes you realy think of all the distractions that do not need to be addressed. Thank you for caring enough to talk about the every day things, because it realy is important to not let the "little foxes spoil the grapes" ❤

[@samnicolas1469]

It is not in spite of my sins but rather because of my sins Jesus has been crucified. He is the ultimate and complete sacrifice for sins .

[@Wasim11117]

You are blessed I can see lord jesus in you hallelujah

[@MarkoZorecHimself]

We were so thirsty for this word, Father Seraphim. The battles that the tempter sets before us daily through social media are not truly our battles. Christians often fall for these battles and play the role of the righteous by condemning the scandals of this world. But this is a trap. The real battle that should concern us is the battle within our hearts; the realization of our own sin and weakness, which are the true culprits for all the sin in this world. But sometimes it is difficult for us to confront this because then we see that there is also darkness within us. Yet, as you say, Father Seraphim, despite this darkness within us, Christ allowed Himself to be crucified for us. We too must allow ourselves to be crucified for this world. This crucifixion should be such that we ignore the scandals and battles of this world and do not listen to people when they tell us to be righteous and condemn this world. Our cross should be to love this world, to love creation with all its fallen state, in a way that with every thought, with every word, with every action, we try to show love to the world around us. Our cross should be the love for the world. Love for the fallen world, love that desires salvation for the world. Let us pray for the salvation of everyone, even for the greatest sinners; this should be the cross of true Christians. God bless you, Father Seraphim.

[@murryminis]

One of my group of friends favorite saying of mine is "This is above my spiritual pay grade "

[@johnwatts219]

This is inspiring, and it does give me questions about what it really means to bear ones cross; but this really makes me want to be one with Christ in His suffering. I have been praying for you.

[@CountofHazelview]

Dear Father, I have been struggling with detachment from the world (family and others) that still see me as a vicious person, before God’s mercy and grace touched my life to live a life of penance and prayer. How can I reconcile a radical detachment from the world with the 4th Commandment of loving father and mother? It has been very difficult for me to reconcile both things. Thank you dearly for all your videos.

[@sosinaayalew6219]

Thank you father 🙏