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Since God's law is not written in ink and letters, but is innate (imprinted) on pure hearts, those whose intelligent eyes are enlightened and always directed (to God's commandments) know exactly that it is not by their own strength, but by invincible strength that they are delivered from the temptations of the evil one. And those who are neither honored by words nor instructed by the Divine mind, are arrogant in vain; they will be condemned, because they can be saved by the Sacrament of the Cross alone. For the freedom that is possible for a person consists only in the determination or indecision to resist the devil; but even if it is possible to resist, a person does not have perfect power over the passions! And “unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord preserves the city, it will be in vain” (Ps. 127:1). It is impossible to step on the asp and the basilisk and trample the lion and the serpent, unless a person, having previously cleansed himself, is strengthened to the best of his ability by those who said to the apostles: “Behold, I give you power to tread on the serpent, and on the scorpion, and on all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). If human nature, even without the full armor of the Holy Spirit, could resist the wiles of the devil, then the Apostle would not have said: “Let the God of peace quickly crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20). And again: “The Lord Jesus Christ will kill with the Spirit of His mouth” (2 Thess. 2:8). Therefore, in prayer we must ask the Lord: “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” For if we are not worthy of dispassion, having, with the help of the Perfect One, gotten rid of the kindled arrows of the evil one, then in vain we will prescribe for ourselves the rules of life, for we have not yet accepted the power of the cross. So, whoever wants to become a partaker of the Divine glory and (to be awarded a part) in the Sovereign power of the soul, and as in a pure mirror, to see the image of Christ, with insatiable love and with an unfeigned disposition, he is obliged with all his heart and with all his strength, day and night, to seek help for himself in that power, of which it is impossible to become a partaker, unless a person, as I have already said, avoids first worldly sensuality and resistant power. For the power of darkness is alien to the power of light, and the influence of wickedness is incompatible and completely incompatible with good influence. If you want to understand why we, created in honor and settled in paradise, were finally “likened to foolish cattle” and became like them, deprived of the most pure glory, then know that since through disobedience, having become slaves of carnal passions, we moved from the blessed land of the living - since then, being in captivity, we have been sitting on the rivers of Babylon until now. Those who remain in Egypt to this day have not yet inherited the land of promise flowing with honey and milk, they have not yet been leavened with the leaven of purity and truth, but we remain to this day in the evil leaven of the flesh. And our heart has not yet been sprinkled with the Blood of the Lamb of God, because the edge of hell and the sting of sin are still pierced into it. We have not yet received the joy of the saving anointing, because the sting of death is taking root in us. We have not yet put on the new man created according to God, because until now we have not tried to “put off the old man, which is corrupted by the lusts of deceit.” We have not yet taken upon ourselves the image of the Heavenly (Father), having become conformed to His glory, because until now we bear the image of the earthly. We do not yet worship God in spirit and in truth, because sin reigns in our dead body. We have not yet contemplated the glory of the Imperishable One, because we are still under the influence of the shadow. The works of the world have not yet put on weapons; We have not yet been transformed by the renewal of our minds, because we are still being conformed to this age. They have not yet been glorified with Christ, because hitherto they have not suffered with Him; We do not yet bear His seals on our flesh, having received the Sacrament of the Cross of Christ, because until now we remain in carnal passions and desires. We have not yet become heirs of Christ, because until now we have a spirit of fear, and not of sonship (filialship). We have not yet become the church of God and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, because to this day we remain a church of idols and a receptacle for the spirits of wickedness. For we have not yet demonstrated in ourselves the purity of morals and simplicity of mind and have not acquired a bright life; have not yet been granted unflattering and verbal milk and spiritual growth; The day (light) has not yet approached us, and the morning star (dawn) has not yet shone in our hearts, we have not yet entered into communication with the sun of truth and have not been illuminated by its rays. They have not yet become genuine royal purple; We are not yet wounded by God’s love, we do not yet have a spiritual commitment to the Bridegroom. We have not yet experienced incorruptible communion, have not known the power of holiness and peace, and, to express everything briefly, we are not yet a “chosen race,” not a “royal priesthood,” not a “holy tongue,” not “people of renewal” (1 Pet. 2:9), because we are “the birth of vipers” (Matt. 3:7), for are not they serpents that creep on the earth, do they philosophize earthly things and have no residence in heaven? Are they not “born” of “vipers” who are not in obedience to Christ, but in obedience to the serpent? Therefore, I don’t find how to mourn such a disaster with dignity. I don’t know how to cry out with tears to the One who is able to destroy the delusion that has taken root in me. How can I sing the song of the Lord in a foreign land? How to mourn Jerusalem? How to avoid the hard slavery of Pharaoh? How to leave the place of shameful predation? How to renounce bitter torment? How to get out of the land of Egypt? How to cross the Red Sea? How to get past the desert? How not to die when bitten by snakes? How to defeat foreigners? How to exterminate alien peoples? How can you receive the words of God’s law on your tablets? How to see the pillar of true light and the cloud from the Holy Spirit? How to taste manna - this eternal food? How to drink water from the life-giving stone? How to cross the Jordan and enter the “land of goodness” flowing with honey and milk? How to see the Archangel whom Joshua saw and immediately bowed to him? For if I do not destroy the foreign nations that are in me, then I will not enter into the sanctuary of God and will not rest in it, nor will I become a partaker of the glory of the King. So, try to be a blameless child of God, and enter into that rest, “where Jesus the Forerunner appeared for us” (Heb. 6:20). Try to become written in the Heavenly Church along with the firstborn, so that you may find yourself at the right hand of the majesty of the Most High. Try to ascend to the Holy City - to the heavenly Jerusalem, where there is a paradise of sweetness. But you will not otherwise be worthy of these wonderful and blessed possessions if you do not shed tears like streams day and night, like the saint who says: “I will wash away my bed every night. I will wet my bed with my tears” (Ps. 6:7). Don’t you know that “he who sows with tears will reap with joy” (Ps. 126:5)? That’s why the prophet says: “Do not silence my tears” (Ps. 39:13). And again: “Thou hast laid down my tears before Thee, even as in Thy promise” (Ps. 55:9). “My tears were my bread day and night” (Ps. 41:4), and “my drink was mixed with weeping” (Ps. 101:10). For tears shed in the knowledge (desire) of the truth, with great sorrow, with the pure ignition of the entrails of the heart, are spiritual food, delivered (called) heavenly bread, of which blessed Mary, who sat at the feet of Christ and wept, partook primarily. For it is said: “Mary has chosen the good part, lest it be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Oh, what precious pearls these are in the outpouring of blessed tears! What correct and obedient hearing, what speed of spiritual love, intensely hastening towards the Divine Bridegroom! What a wounding of the soul’s attraction to God the Word! What continuous communication between the bride and the Groom! Imitate, imitate this, child, not looking at anything except Him who said: “Fire has come to burn on the earth, and whatever I want, if it is already on fire” (Luke 12:49). For the ignition of the spirit ignites the heart, and therefore the immaterial and Divine fire usually enlightens and tests souls, like unmixed (pure) gold in a furnace, and destroys vice like thorns and stubble, for “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). It was this fire that acted in the apostles when they spoke with tongues of fire to those listening. This fire illuminated Paul with glory and darkened his sense of vision, because carnal vision did not contain the power of that Light. The same fire appeared to Moses in the bush. This fire, in the form of a chariot, snatched Elijah from the earth. Seeking the effectiveness of this fire, David said: “Test me, O Lord, and try me, kindle my bowels and my heart” (Ps. 25:2). The same fire warmed the hearts of Cleopas and her companion when the Savior spoke with them after resurrecting from the dead. That is why both Angels and ministering spirits participate in the lordship of this fire, according to what was said: “Create your angels spirits, and your servants a fiery flame” (Ps. 104:4). The same fire burned the log in the eye, making the mind pure, so that, having received natural vigilance, the mind can always comprehend the wonders of God, like the one who said: “Open my eyes, and I will understand the wonders of Your law” (Ps. 119:18). This fire puts demons to flight, burns all damage, destroys sin; he is the power of resurrection, the effectiveness of immortality, the enlightenment of souls, the composition of rational forces. Let us pray that this fire will overtake us, so that we will not stumble, always walking in the light; Let us be like luminaries visible in the world, containing within us the Word of life, like a flowing spring. And all who approach this fire will receive it! We, who do not increase treasures, will yield to them, let them speak (now). For those who listen in faith benefit, and they themselves remain renewed. From now on, palaces are built for the spiritual (brothers), royal houses not made by hands, various clothes, magnificent vestments are prepared by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when they go to Christ, the spirits of the righteous and the entire Heavenly Kingdom receive them with great joy. The Lord says: “Good, good and faithful servant,” since you have been faithful in everything, then “I will set you over many: enter into the joy of Your Lord” (Matthew 25:23). Many of the brethren, having received grace, grow and prosper in harmony every day, containing (in themselves) a great measure. Others accept a gift from God, but, although grace remains with them, they allow themselves to be seduced into sins; Does grace still remain with them, or does it soon depart from them? To this we answer: it happens that even in someone who has sinned through love for mankind, God’s grace abides while he is in the flesh; but when the soul is separated from the body, then grace retreats and goes to its place, but the soul is betrayed to evil spirits. For there are two laws in man, namely: the law of sin, which draws us towards ourselves, and the law of grace, which draws us towards heaven. A person, to the extent that he passes temptation, is strengthened to the same extent, becomes strong at the foundation, becomes an unshakable and unshakable stone. And when such a mind, standing at the door (of the soul), does not turn its spine towards the enemy (does not worship), but resists him when leaving the body, then the good Angels accept him into the realm of the Kingdom, and he enters into eternal life. Just as in the present and visible world, when a king gives gifts to his servants, they accept them, take care of them, and, in addition, acquire precious utensils for themselves, so those who multiply the gifts given to them many times over are glorified. For those who have truly tasted that sweetness and pleasantness, looking at the visible king, dressed in purple, at his dignity and treasures, will consider all these visible differences low, as soon as they enter the Royal and heavenly dwellings of Christ, where heavenly treasures will open before them, where they will inherit other riches and other dignity, having become sons of Light in the heavenly infinite eternal city. And having thus compared the earthly with the heavenly, they will then recognize the difference between both and the abyss separating them. Possessed by a fever, when the illness is still in full force, if he is presented with various dishes or sweets, or some other food, he becomes confused and becomes dissatisfied, because he is fed up with his illness, it serves him instead of food; Likewise, spiritual people, delighted with heavenly love and Divine fire, no matter what visible advantages of this world you offer them: whether it be a kingdom, wealth, or glory, are embarrassed by this and feel just as unpleasant as a person passing through places filled with a great stench from corpses. And in the same way, those who are filled with resistive strength and are dominated by the spirit of the world, when the spiritual word is proclaimed to them about the Light, about the Kingdom, about another age, about the wisdom and power of God and about wealth, they feel as if displeasure and boredom, being unable to contain the words of God. Truly, those are wise, those are courageous, those are warlike, those are rich, those who raise their minds to grief, rebel with anger at the voluptuousness and lusts that they feel in themselves, resist the law of sin, but remain obedient to the law of God and delight in it. What does vitia or philosopher mean? - Lust arises in him, and he commits adultery! Irritability - and he hits! Covetousness - and he robs! His mind is carried away by the spirits of evil. And where is the wisdom that he thinks he has acquired? There are two kingdoms: the Kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Two leaders watch over the King. With whom you enter into friendship or enter into an agreement, you will be an accomplice, for it is written: “All things work out for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). To whom you love, you owe a debt (to him). If you are attracted to someone and show obedience to him, then you become his property, and his son, and his friend. If you love the spirits of malice and wickedness and delight in them, they will soon become your partners and cleave to you, for the enemy is the most persistent companion of people in sin, and he is equally happy with everyone. If you love good things and enjoy them, then they also promote and help you. But a person acquires it only with great love and strong desire, for it is a Kingdom that has no end. Because what is valuable is rare; Where success is gained with difficulty is glorious and eternal. But since it is desirable for everyone, without labor, to achieve good and master it, then let them know that on the path to good there is a great struggle and struggle, that out of many, few have achieved it. Therefore, only the victorious went out to meet the peaceful and meek King, who willingly did good to people. Such from now on will inherit the land of promise and will enter the haven of rest and the holy city (Heavenly Jerusalem) and the rest of the righteous. Just as there is this visible sky, called the firmament, so above it there is another luminous sky, where there are regiments of Angels. But it is invisible to bodily eyes, it is a tabernacle not made by hands, in which the holy Angels perform services. Everything is divine, ineffable and luminous, because spiritually and independently, it belongs not to this age, but to another world, where there is no night, no wars, no Gehenna, no evil spirits. Since not everyone, no matter who they are, is allowed to see the heavenly with their inner eye, then for this purpose, like a kind of curtain, the firmament was placed, so that they (the heavenly inhabitants) could not only contemplate everyone, but only those who are pure in heart and their minds are sanctified, that is, only fellow citizens and fellow saints. And when the veil is taken away, then it will be revealed to the righteous what awaits the elect. (This will be so because) many, already belonging to those who have chosen the good part and being under the influence of the Good and Life-Giving Spirit, out of inexperience, thought of themselves that they had achieved perfection, and after that, becoming careless, they were subjected to the invasion and slander of evil spirits - like other warriors, considering themselves to have defeated their enemies and having already abandoned their weapons, they spend their time in carelessness. Meanwhile, the enemies, having ambushed them, suddenly attack them and kill some and take others prisoner. Likewise, sin, having first stolen their minds, and then inducing the thought of their own perfection, disposes of them according to its will, binding them with its own will and again prevailing over their lusts. So, all people, whether they are righteous or sinners, unless, with the help of the spiritual law, that is, Jesus Christ, they enslave themselves with all humility, they will not be able to get rid of evils and free themselves from the devil’s dominion. For Paul speaks of the overthrow of death in the scriptures: “I am a damned man: who will deliver me from the body of this death; I thank my God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:24–25). “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin” (Rom. 8:2). Let us give glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, who freed us from all sin, for to Him be glory and dominion now and always and unto the ages of ages! Amen. You might be interested in: