It is believed the seven deadly sins that us humans are likely to fall, are ruled by powerful demons known as archdemons. Of these sins, Sloth is considered to be the most difficult sin to define, since the idea itself wraps around a vast area. The word "sloth" is a translation of the Latin term acedia which has the meaning “without care" which would simply could be described as the state of doing nothing at all. Many would interpret this as being lazy, but being lazy is just one aspect of sloth. Sloth would have its own influence in mental, spiritual, pathological, and physical states of humans. It would root for other sins such as self-centeredness, self-pity, refusal to perform once responsibility and much more. Doing nothing and gaining things through the easy way which involves sinful deeds could be seen as wasting the gift of life given by god.
God wishes the mankind to gain through hardships because it’ll help one to better themselves while understanding the gift of life. Through the paths influenced by sloth, one become ignorance and selfcentered, neglecting their responsibilities that should be fulfilled for others. The sin is said to be ruled by the arc-demon Belphegor, also known as Beelphegor. Belphegor is invoked by mortals who wish to find fame and wealth through inventions, often with as little effort as possible.
But these inventions would not last for along and are destined to fail. They will also fill the world with corruption through the use of them. For such inventions, it is believed the idea itself will be produced by the demon and he will walk through the process, until it is completed. Some even believes such inventors are possessed by Belphegor. So he is sometimes referred to as the demon of inventions. For those inventors who invent things that will prosper the creation of God, Belphegor will try to fill their heart with laziness and there by delaying it.
Belphegor is also considered as a fallen angel. During his time in the heaven, he is considered as an angel who was in the third choir of the Angelic Sphere. During the War in Heaven, it is said he did not join with Lucifer, but not with God either. Instead he witnessed the deaths of his fellow angels. Belphegor has grieved for their loss in solitude. During this period of time he created the sin of sloth and fell to the depths of hell. Belphegor then became a lieutenant of hell and thereby earning his place among the seven princes of hell. Satan, the ruler of hell, sent a group of demons including Belphegor to earth to spread his corruption in the world. Belphegor grew particularly interested in France and became the Hell's ambassador to France and there by becoming the rival of Saint Mary Magdalene, who is the patron saint of France.
He was tasked to find if people could be bind by true love and if such a thing could exist in marriage. If it does exist, how to manipulate mankind to sin through these emotions. Belphegor does not find such thing as true love and tells Satan that it is simply a need of human hormones. Some say that Belphegor was unable to find true love because he was lazy to do the research as he himself is the ruler and creator of sloth. Others say that because he was a demon, Belphegor is unable to sense feelings that are pure as love.
There is also a legend saying that Baal Peor, the patron god of Moabites, were killed by the Archangel Merkabah. After the death of Baal Peor, Belphegor collected the shattered soul of the god and merged it to his soul and became one. Moabites then began to worship Belphegor. It is by the name Baal Peor you can find this demon in texts than the name Belphegor. Moabites then became corrupted and became unworthy of god’s mercy.When the Israelites neared the Promised Land, they settled near the borders of Moab for a brief period of time. Balak, the king of Moab, feared their presence on knowing the adventures they have won together under god’s grace. With the influence of their god who is now a disguised demon, Balak sought the help of Balaam, to curse Israelites. But god converted all these curses into blessings which helped Israelites to prosper. Because Israelites could not be harmed by magical means or through curses, Balaam used the women of Moab to seduce Israelites.
In the book of Exodus it is written that when Moses left to consult with God, he found some Israelites worshiping Belphegor. During the period Moses was gone, Israelites fell for the women of Moab and they introduced their local god, who is Belphegor to them. God was angered by this act and so Moses executed them for the sin they have committed. This incident is described in depth in the fourth book of Hebrew Bible which is the book of numbers, it is written in chapter 25: 1 - 5,
"While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.” So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.”
Through this text it could be clearly seen how serious god took the worship of Belphegor. The worshipers were executed and in the later part of the text it is written that 24,000 people died because of their faith in the demon. Even though Belphegor was a demon, Moabites easily considered him as a god since the path to Belphegor was much easier than that of god. When Israelites started to worship Belphegor they also began to waste their life through slothfulness. Belphegor is said to have the capability to shapeshift. To seduce men he takes the form of a beautiful woman and to seduce women he takes the form of a handsome man. But just as other demons, his true form thought to be one of utter terror. A one that has leathery flesh, huge horns, long sharp teeth and fingernails, and a gaping mouth.
It is believed that if you summon the demon, he will show the path to glory and fame through easy paths. But what one should understand is that he is the ruler of sloth and his influence will only lower chances of success. Unlike most other demons, Belphegor does not destroy one’s life but help one to destroy his own life through laziness. Mammon, the demon of greed, will increase the desire towards money, but Belphegor will fill his followers with illusions of what riches would be like. If one does not choose to do the inventions he desire, the demon will put them in a state of daydream, which will only to delay his tasks that should be done to enjoy real success. So before you summon the demon, you’d better think twice.
Tel me what you think of this story. Do you think Belphegor is real and what other stories have you heard of him? Let me know in the comments.
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