Be careful and don’t trust yourself even if you think they have left. The prayers of your elders drive them away tern porarily, but they will come back again. Grace restrains them so that the soul takes courage, but once more they will return. However, in times of peace don’t be negligent, but pray, correct yourself, prepare yourself for war. Give yourself courage. Be patient. Have perfect obedience. In this manner, you will certainly be delivered from them some day. But il requires a great struggle and much caution.
 
For every step forward that a monk [or anyone] takes, he must shed many tears, drops of blood, and spend much time. Then the devil comes, the primeval evil, gets a crowbar under him and turns everything upside-down, if grace and the prayers of others do not act in time. And then, back to square one again—bloodshed once again. Therefore, it takes patience. Don’t be despondent. Don’t be fainthearted. Be patient so that grace may protect you.”
– ‘Monastic WIsdom’