Text #7, p. 325-326
Demonic warfare starts suddenly with a volley of enticingly sinful thoughts directed at the very center of our being.
Therefore, we must be sober, watchful, and alert so that our minds are not allowed to wander into fantasy and day dreaming.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
Text #8, p. 326
The daily practice of guarding our senses will lead to the sweet illumination and contemplation of Christ within us.
However, it is first necessary to purify the heart of evil thoughts so that we can clearly see Christ,
for only the pure in heart shall see God.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
Barbara wrote:These passages are all excellent.
I especially like the last !
But what to do to get chatterboxes to heed this warning - ?!
I believe such excessive talkers are ADDICTED to chatter. Thus, they go into denial when confronted.
Nonetheless I am going to present this passage to a certain such one whom I know.
It will be "forgotten" the next minute, however, as has been the fate of all salutary readings and essays I have presented.
What to do ? Is there any advice in Philotheus of Sinai about this problem ?
Read on. We are to be examples to others.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
Text #9, p. 326
Every minute of every day prepare to meet Christ, our Judge, with attentiveness, respect, love, honor, and awe,
cleansing ourselves from "all filthiness of the flesh and spirit" (2 Cor. 7:1).
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
Text #10, p. 326
Once again, I am going to quote the entire passage as it is very short:
The fruit of misplaced empty talk is at times hatred of us by those who listen,
and at times reproaches and ridicule if they realize the foolishness of our speech;
at other times, our conscience becomes defiled, and sometimes we incur
condemnation from God and cause sorrow to the Holy Spirit, which is the most
terrible of all.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
Text #11, p. 326-327
Sobriety without humility leads to impurity.
"If a man purifies his heart and uproots from it all sin against the Lord; if he labours
diligently to acquire Divine knowledge and succeeds in seeing with his mind that
which is invisible to many, he must not through this exalt himself over others."
Lucifer exalted himself and was expelled from Heaven as his pride rendered him impure.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
Text #12, p. 327
This text from Philotheus is a meditation on Romans 8:6-8 (KJV):
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
One who has a full belly, who is carnally minded, and/or who takes delight in pernicious worldly pleasures cannot engage in spiritual warfare with demonic powers and principalities, nor can he please God.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.