The Scripture explained this matter in a verse which was repeated twice, within close proximity in the same Book, and this is: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”, A person may cling to this way which appears right, yet in it—and in his clinging [to it] — there is utmost harm to him. And perhaps this way which appears right to him is of the deception of the demons. On this point specifically, Abba Isaac and St. Evagrius have copious explanations, in that the one who clings to his thought, who directs himself according to his own will, may persuade himself that this thought is from God and that the Spirit is the One who inspired this thought in him!
11. How dangerous is the state of those who say that they receive their knowledge from God directly, and that they are discipled unto Christ directly. And therefore they refuse to be discipled unto people. At the same time, they cannot be sure whether the thought, which came to them, is from God or not! What is marvelous is that those who say such words are neither prophets nor one of the twelve. Nor can they say as Paul the Apostle said,
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you.”
17. There are perhaps many sources of the thought which you think is from God. It may be your own thought or your own inclination. It may be a thought settled in your subconscious from things you previously read and heard. And it may be a deception of the devil. You need to tarry and deliberate, to read the Scriptures, and to ask and seek guidance.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Come, Follow Me
Category: DISCERNMENT
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You understand that many of our faults are voluntary in different degrees, though they may not be committed with a deliberate purpose of failing in our allegiance to God. One friend sometimes reproaches another for a fault not expressly intended to be offensive, and yet committed with the knowledge that it would be so. In the same way, God lays this sort of faults to our charge. They are voluntary, for although not done with an express intention, they are still committed freely and against a certain interior light of conscience, which should have caused us to hesitate and wait.
—François Fénelon, Spiritual Progress
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As the holy fathers say, when the intellect forgets the purpose of a religious observance, the outward practice of virtue loses its value. For whatever is done indiscriminately and without purpose is not only of no benefit – even though good in itself – but actually does harm. Conversely, what appears to be evil is really good if it is done for a godly purpose and accords with God’s will. The action of a man who goes into a brothel to rescue a prostitute from destruction is a case in point.
Hence it is clear that someone who occasionally shows compassion is not compassionate, and someone who occasionally practices self-control is not self-controlled.
—St John of Damaskos -
Always keep the same measure of self-control; otherwise through irregularity you will go from one extreme to another.
—St. Thalassios the Libyan -
You will get as many opinions – if not more – from the number of people you talk to.
—Fr. Antony Paul, Discerning God’s Will -
“You will always be able to tell your parents or siblings or close friends’ voices even if you can’t see them or they are really far away. If you love someone, you can easily recognize their voice. Can you say the same for Christ? Do you know His voice? You must be able to recognize God’s voice even if you can’t see Him.”
—Fr. Bishoy El Antony -
169. SPARE TIME
The one who knows the value of time would use it for his benefit. This person would never have spare time, because his time will never be enough for the responsibilities that he has.
The one with spare time must have empty space in his life that has not been filled yet. Having emptiness in life, in aim or in ambition is really a sad matter!
Therefore, those with great endeavours never have spare time.
Those with ambitions in life. either spiritual or academic or even materialistic would have no spare time.
Spare time is the result of man’s failure to know how to use his time. Once he does, this problem would not be there any more.
The problem of spare time could face the old or those who reached the retiring age and thought that their message in life has ended. Their life became without job and without aim!
Those people need to search for a job so their world does not become boring and a burden on them.
The spiritual concept of using the spare time is not to look for a way to pass time! It is looking for a way to benefit from time.
Time is a part of life and it is unlawful to kill it or waste it uselessly.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Words of Spiritual Benefit Vol. IV
SO GOOD QUOTES 