СОВЕСТЬ

This is why we differ from the dumb, that the man-loving God honored us with reason, and put the knowledge of good and evil into our nature. So, no one should justify himself by saying that he neglects virtue out of ignorance, or because he does not have a guide on its path. We have sufficient guidance - conscience, and it is impossible for anyone to be deprived of its help. At the very creation of man, the knowledge of what he should do was implanted in him, so that, having demonstrated his prudence by practicing deeds of virtue in real life, as if in some school of struggle, he would receive rewards for good deeds, having worked for a short time, he would be awarded crowns in the endless age, having acquired virtue in this fleeting life, he would enjoy imperishable blessings in boundless and endless centuries. Knowing this, beloved, let us not humiliate our dignity, let us not be ungrateful for such a blessing, and, chasing after temporary imaginary pleasures, let us not prepare ourselves for eternal torment. Let us organize our lives as if we constantly have before us a never-sleeping Eye, seeing our innermost thoughts; protected by the weapon of the Spirit and, having shown our own good disposition of heart, we will attract help from above, so that with its assistance, having defeated the enemy and adversary and rendered his machinations harmless, we could enjoy the benefits that the Lord promised to those who love Him. Therefore, no one should look at the difficulty of virtue, but, bearing in mind the benefit that comes from it, everyone should readily undertake all labors for its sake (1). Exercise your conscience. With what boldness will the one who breaks the fast come? Truly, not until tomorrow, even if no one accuses you, your conscience will convict you. Have you ever seen anyone carry an accuser with them? Let your conscience be your protector (9). He who has a clear conscience, even if he were dressed in rags and struggled with hunger, is more complacent than those living luxuriously; just as the one who is aware of the bad in himself, even if he owned all the riches, is the most unhappy of all. Therefore, Paul, although he lived in constant hunger and nakedness, although he was subjected to blows every day, rejoiced and had more fun than modern kings. And Ahab, although he reigned and enjoyed various luxuries, when he committed his sin, he groaned and mourned, and his face fell, both before the sin and after the sin. So, if we want to enjoy joy, then more than anything else we will avoid vice and follow virtue, because otherwise it is impossible to achieve joy, even if we ascend to the royal throne. That is why Paul said: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace” (Gal. 5:22). Let us grow this fruit in ourselves, so that we can enjoy joy here too and achieve the future Kingdom (11). You might be interested in: