Беседа

It is necessary to avoid the corrupt conversation of wicked people and pay attention not to one’s appearance or gray hair, but to the person’s way of thinking. For these are the very ones about whom the apostle speaks: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (2 Tim. 3:5). If you agree to their false speeches and leave the narrow and cramped path, then be afraid that, burning in an unquenchable fire, you will not hear that bitter and inexorable sentence, filled with crying and bitter tears: Child! remember that you have already received your good in your life, and Lazarus received your evil; now he is comforted here, but you suffer (Luke 16:25). Do not spread conversations for a long time, so as not to lose time for an interview with God. Just as a sponge, brought to something wet, swells and absorbs moisture, so a person, unsteady in thought, if he gets close or talks for a long time with those who reason carnally, absorbs harm, therefore, having drunk on it, he becomes intoxicated even without wine; because it is filled with harmful things, it no longer accepts the spiritual word: the immoderate desire that has occupied and mastered it serves as an obstacle to the spiritual word, blocking its entrance. Talk a lot with God, talk little with people.