I am working my way through the work of Evagrius called Praktikos. It’s been too long since I’ve read this marvelous work on the contemplative life.

Evagrius is intense when it comes to spiritual warfare.

When you are tempted do not fall immediately to prayer. First utter some angry words against against the one who afflicts you. The reason for this is found in the fact that your soul cannot pray purely when it is under the influence of various thoughts. By first speaking out in anger against them you confound and bring to nothing the devices of the enemy. To be sure this is the usual effect of anger even upon more worthy thoughts.

Bold.