27
July 2021
The
Christian Way of Life
Those who
intend to fulfill the Christian way of life to the best of their ability must
first devote all their attention to the rational, discriminative and directing
aspect of the soul. Perfecting in this way their discrimination between good
and evil, and defending the purity of their nature against the attacks of the
passions that are contrary to nature, they go forward without stumbling, guided
by the eye of discrimination and not embroiled with the impulses of evil. For
the soul’s will is able to preserve the body free from the vitiation of the
senses, to keep the soul away from worldly distraction, and to guard the heart
from scattering its thoughts into the world, completely walling them in and
holding them back from base concerns and pleasures. Whenever the Lord sees
someone acting in this manner, perfecting and guarding himself, disposed to
serve Him with fear and trembling, He extends to him the assistance of His
grace. But what will God do for the person who willingly gives himself up to
the world and pursues its pleasures?
Saint Symeon Metaphrastes
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