Anba Stephanos Bishop of Beba, Fashn & Samasta

From personal experience and reflections inspired by Anba Stephanos' teachings, I have learned that spiritual growth is essential to resist negativity and deception in life. The devil’s greatest trick, as explained by Anba Stephanos, is to halt our spiritual progress so that we become vulnerable to decline and hardship. In daily life, I’ve observed that when we stop growing spiritually—whether by neglecting prayer, good deeds, or inner reflection—our hearts can harden, and we become more susceptible to harmful influences. This echoes the message about people whose hearts become hardened like Pharaoh’s because they grow in wrongdoing rather than righteousness. It is also important to be cautious of insincere repentance. Sometimes, people might appear to show remorse but continue harmful behaviors, which Anba Stephanos warns against. Genuine spiritual growth involves continuous self-improvement and honest reflection, allowing one’s heart to soften and open to positive change. I have found that nurturing growth in goodwill and spiritual understanding brings resilience against temptations or the “tricks” of the devil mentioned by Anba Stephanos. Embracing this mindset helps maintain a faithful and steady path, aligning with the kingdom of heaven instead of slipping into spiritual decay. Overall, the lessons from Anba Stephanos inspire me to keep growing in faith and virtue, reminding me that all humans are capable of growth—whether in good or bad—and encouraging vigilance in fostering positive spiritual development.