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Without humility (humility) every feat, all abstinence, all submission, all non-covetousness, all much learning are in vain. For just as the beginning and end of good is humility, so the beginning and end of evil is arrogance. But this unclean spirit is resourceful and diverse, therefore it makes every effort to prevail over everyone, and for everyone who follows any path, he lays a net on it. He catches the wise with wisdom, the strong with strength, the rich with wealth, the handsome with beauty, the eloquent with eloquence, the one with a good voice with the pleasantness of his voice, the artist with art, the resourceful with resourcefulness. And similarly, it does not cease to tempt those who lead a spiritual life, and sets a snare for those who have renounced the world in renunciation, for the abstinent in abstinence, for the silent in silence, for the non-covetous in non-covetousness, for the learned in learning, for the reverent in reverence, for the knowledgeable in knowledge (however, true knowledge is associated with humility). So arrogance tries to sow its tares in everyone. Therefore, knowing the cruelty of this passion (for as soon as it takes root somewhere, it makes both a person and all his work worthless), the Lord gave us a means to defeat it - humility, saying: “When you have done all that is commanded you, say, as we are unworthy servants” (Luke 17:10). So, why do we involve ourselves in frivolity and drive ourselves to mental harm? The Apostle says: “If anyone imagines that he is worthless, he flatters himself with his mind. Let every one test his own work, and then let him have praise only in himself, and not in other things” (Gal. 6:3-4). Why do we deceive ourselves, as if we are noble people in the world, exalting ourselves over each other and humiliating those who are more modest? We know that, according to the teachings of the Lord, “there is, in high places among men, an abomination to God” (Luke 16:15). Or, like abstinent people, do we exalt ourselves before those who are weaker? Again the apostle denounces us, saying: “Do not praise yourself, for this man is skilled, but God praises him” (2 Cor. 10:18). Or, like those who primarily work in ministry, do we think highly of ourselves in comparison with those who live in peace? Again we find that the Lord praises Mary more because “he chose the good part” (Luke 10:42). Or, like the silent ones, do we exalt ourselves above those who amuse themselves with service? Again we find how the Lord teaches and says that “He did not come and let them serve Him, but He served and gave His life redemption for many” (Matthew 20:28). Therefore, in any case, arrogance should run. But do we think a lot about ourselves because we live in a deserted and sandy place? However, the place will not bring us any benefit if we do not do our work with humility, because the apostle says: look not at what is visible, but at what is invisible; “For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). But are we proud of the fact that we live in a pit and a cave? All these are signs of self-destruction and carelessness about earthly things. Therefore, what you have chosen for yourself as a means to excel in virtue, do not serve as a reason for you to fall into pride. Don’t be like the foolish blacksmith who doesn’t know his job and tries to heat wood instead of a piece of iron. So, with all our might we must adhere to humility. But are you rich and remain within the bounds of righteousness? However, he had not yet reached the measure of Abraham, who said: “I am earth and ashes” (Gen. 18:27). But you are entrusted with the care of people? And Moses took upon himself the care of the people. After God, by the hand of Moses and Aaron, struck Egypt and dried up the Red Sea, and brought the children of Israel on dry ground, and brought them into this terrible desert, and they approached the borders of Moab, and the Moabites saw the multitude of the people, “and Moab spoke,” as it is written, “to the elders of Midiamlim: now this host will consume all those around we are as the calf consumes the grain of the field” (Num. 22:4); for the enumeration of the people was made, except for wives, children and the Levitical tribe, and their number was “from twenty years old and upward, everyone who went out to fight in Israel, six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty” (Numbers 1:45-46). And over them all the leader was Moses. And, having become an interlocutor with God and seeing the glory of the Lord, he did not exalt himself in heart, nor did he neglect humility. Therefore, the Holy Scripture testifies: “And the man Moses was more meek than all men that were on earth” (Numbers 12:3). But are you handsome in appearance, strong in strength, crowned with a diadem? However, he did not reach the measure of King David, who humbly said about himself: “I am a worm, and not a man” (Ps. 21:7). But do you have knowledge and wisdom and self-control? However, the three youths and the prophet Daniel had not yet arrived, one of whom said: “You, O Lord, are right, but we are ashamed of our faces, like this day” (Dan.9:7); others said: “Let us be accepted with a contrite soul and a humble spirit” (Dan.3:39). And if the righteous showed so much humility in themselves, then how humble we sinners should be! For to be arrogant and to think too much about oneself is carnal wisdom. And according to the word of the Apostle: “If you live according to the flesh, you are about to die; if you put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit, you will live” (Rom. 8:13). And it is impossible to overcome passions without succeeding in this virtue. Have you not heard what blessed Paul suffered for his piety? For in the Epistle to the Corinthians he writes: “In labors multiplied, in wounds in great pain... from the Jews five times and forty were received in one way: three strokes of clubs were struck, one was lashed with stones, three times the ship was overthrown with me, I created night and day in the depths: in the traveling processions in multiplicity: troubles in the rivers, troubles from the thief, troubles from relatives, troubles from the tongue, troubles in cities, troubles in the desert, troubles in the sea, troubles in false brethren: in labor and struggle, in watching in abundance, in hunger and thirst, in abundance in fasting, in winter and nakedness,” and further (2 Cor. 11:23-27). Can we dare to do this too? And look what his virtue is: after so many dangers and after so many merits, he humbly said: “Brother, I do not think I have achieved it!” (Phil.3:13). This is what Paul said in order to remove conceit from himself, knowing what wrath it brings upon its lovers. What is arrogance? To be arrogant is almost the same as reproaching God with one’s own merits. So in human life, if someone gives a gift to his neighbor, but begins to exalt himself over him, then his mercies will turn into nothing, and he will destroy the friendship in his neighbor. Therefore such a person is vile. Therefore, the Lord, who cares about our life, wanting to make us far from this destructive passion, teaches us and says: “When you have done all that is commanded you, say that we are unworthy servants” (Luke 17:10). And if we do not do what is commanded, then we do not have the right to be called even unfit (unfit) slaves, because our Lord is great, His gifts are great and lasting. For your admonition, for he taught us not only to speak humbly, but also to practice humility, the Lord instructed us by the very act when he girded himself with a towel and washed the feet of the apostles. Therefore he says: “Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). When you endure involuntary grief as if it were voluntary, then conclude from this that you have come to the measure of a valiant and humble man. But I learned with horror that you had allowed a deceptive thought into yourself, instilling in you what was unlawful. And I ask: “Shall you be raptured in these days?” On the contrary, many were damaged in their minds by this thought. Tell yourself who you are. To what extent did it come? Are you Elijah? Did he perform miracles like him? For he closed the sky with prayer, “and there was no rain on the earth for three years and six months” (James 5:17), and again, through his prayer, the sky gave rain, and by prayer he brought down fire from heaven three times. But have you gained all the faith? Provide experiences; show signs and wonders; raise the dead by prayer; open the eyes of the blind; cast out demons; cleanse the lepers; heal the lame; walk on the sea as on dry land; turn water into wine; With five loaves and two fish, according to your prayer, feed a great multitude of people. For He who said: “Believe in Me, the works that I do, He will do this also, and more than these” (John 14:12) is not a liar. But maybe someone will interrupt this speech and say: “So, if someone does not do such godly deeds, then he has no hope of salvation?” We have hope for salvation even without committing such deeds, if only we confess our weakness and our lack of faith. The weak need mercy, not exaltation. And if we need mercy, then let us put humility to work, so that through humility we may attract the bounty of the Lord upon ourselves. For it is written: “For in our humility the Lord remembered us... and delivered us from our enemies” (Ps. 135:23-24). And again: “humble yourself, and save me” (Ps. 114:5). But if, relying on the wind, we think a lot about ourselves, then we do nothing more than cast ourselves into the abyss. Therefore, do not allow yourself to suffer from the disease of pride, so that the enemy does not suddenly steal your reason. Sober up from the pompous thoughts of self-indulgence. Do not lay nets under your feet. With humility, cleanse your mind from this deadly poison. Let the example of one who sweeps rubbish out of his house enlighten you: he bends down to the floor and cleanses it. All the more, and with all the greater care, one must bend down and humble oneself in order to cleanse the soul, and not allow into it that which is hateful to God. For in the humble soul dwells the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is written: “What has righteousness to do with lawlessness? Or some kind of communication between light and darkness? What kind of agreement does Christ have with Beliaram? Or which part will I return with the wrong one? Or some kind of building up of the Church of God from idols?” For we are “the church of God who lives, just as God said: for I will dwell in them and walk around, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, come out from among them and separate yourself, says the Lord, and do not touch uncleanness, and I will receive you: and I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:14-18). “For Sitseva, O beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, creating holiness in the passion of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). Therefore, when you ascetically withdraw from everyday affairs and save yourself from the worries of a miserable life, then try even more not to have contact with the unclean spirit of pride, so that the Lord will accept you. For “every one who is high-hearted is unclean before God” (Prov. 16:5). Do you really not think about the fire through which we will pass? When, having passed through this fire, we find ourselves pure and blameless, then we will learn about ourselves, what we are like. For “the day... will reveal everyone’s work” (1 Cor. 3:13), according to what is written, because he will be tempted by fire. So, with much humility, let us pray to the Lord to deliver us from the coming wrath, and to make us worthy of the rapture with which the righteous “caught” will be “in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17), and so that with the meek and humble we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. For, as it is written: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for for them is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3), so woe to the proud and arrogant, because a fiery furnace is being prepared for them. The one who said lives in pride; “With the strength of my hand I will create, and with the wisdom of (my) understanding I will take away the boundaries of tongues, and the power of their captivity, and I will shake inhabited cities, and I will take the whole world with my hand like a nest, and I will take it like an abandoned egg; and those who flee from me or speak against me... But the Lord of hosts will bring dishonor on your honor, and the fire of grief will kindle on your glory” (Is. 10: 13-16). And again: “You said in your mind: I will ascend to heaven, I will set my throne above the stars of heaven, I will sit on the highest mountain, on the high mountains even to the north: I will ascend above the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Now you will go down to hell and to the foundations of the earth” (Is. 14:13–15). Let us therefore flee from pride, which is hateful to the Lord; Let us love humility, with which all the righteous pleased the Lord. For the great gift is humility; Great is the glory, great is the success and great is the honor of those who acquire it. With him is an unfaltering flow, in him is all-perfect wisdom. For his arrogance the Pharisee was humiliated, and for his humility the publican was exalted, with whom may the Lord grant us the incorruptible part of all the righteous. To him belongs all glory forever! Amen. You might be interested in: