I have decided to skip ahead a few chapters, and post my thoughts on Chapter Eight. These are from a paper written a couple years ago for a seminary project, as I read and prayed through the book. Unseen Warfare is not a book for beginner Orthodox Christians, but at some time your spiritual Father will lead you to it. Fr Anthony. Unseen Warfare Chapter Eight Our wrong judgments and forming right judgments When we look at ourselves or others situations we usually look at then with a cursory glance. Making a judgment our opinion is molded by the rational mind. To presume this is careless and leads to poor analysis of the initial judgment. This maybe termed as prelest or delusion. In order to not judge too quickly, we must develop a strict mental attention. Called guarding. Guarding of the heart includes the eyes and senses. When you see something with the eye, you will visualize it in the mind. Developing a firm attitude over you desires not allowing a glance, thereby not liking or disliking. Be determined to detach your self with a mental analysis as the Fathers say “the mind alone unobscured by passions then remains in a natural state, free and pure, having the possibility to know the truth.” When desire enters into the mind, you no longer poses the possibility for right judgment, it becomes a wall between the mind and the object of your desire, the mind darkens and unrestrained desire moves the mind and soul even deeper into sin. The Fathers teach us to be watchful of what is going on around us and in our minds, to pay attention so we may protect ourselves. How shall we examine this situation, do so deeply, always approach with discernment using light given by the ward or protection of Divine Scripture, of Grace and prayer, always tempered by the help and judgment of your spiritual Father, otherwise you may mistake evil for good, and good for evil. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:55:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015