...we must first scrutinize thoroughly anything appearing in our hearts or any saying suggested to us. Has it come purified from the divine and heavenly fire of the Holy Spirit? Or does it lean toward Jewish superstition? Is its surface piety something which has come down from bloated worldly philosophy? We must examine this most carefully, doing as the apostle bids us: 'Do not believe in every spirit, but make sure to find out if spirits are from God'.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of discerning the origins of our thoughts and beliefs to ensure they align with divine truth rather than human superstition or worldly philosophy.
John Cassian highlights the necessity of critically examining our inner thoughts and the messages we receive. He urges us to evaluate whether these influences are genuinely inspired by the Holy Spirit or if they stem from misguided beliefs and worldly philosophies. This reflection is crucial to ensure that our understanding and convictions are rooted in divine truth rather than in human tradition or superficial piety.
In practice
During a spiritual retreat, one might share this quote to encourage participants to reflect on the authenticity of their beliefs.
We are often indifferent to our brethren who are distressed or upset, on the grounds that they are in this state through no fault of ours. The Doctor of souls, however, wishing to root out the soul's excuses from the heart, tells us to leave our gift and to be reconciled not only if we happen to be upset by our brother, but also if he is upset by us, whether justly or unjustly; only when we have healed the breach through our apology should we offer our gift.
If you wish to attain to true knowledge of the Scriptures, hasten to acquire first an unshakeable humility of heart. That alone will lead you, not to the knowledge that puffs up, but to that which enlightens, by the perfecting of love.
The Doctor of our souls has placed the remedy in the hidden regions of the soul.
Whenever I'm in trouble, I pray. And because I'm in trouble all of the time, I pray almost constantly.
Statistics show that a soldier's chances of survival in the front lines of combat are greater than the chances of an unborn child avoiding abortion. What should be the safest place to live in America - a mother's womb - is now the most dangerous place.
In the year of 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening, which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life.
We love the old saints, missionaries, martyrs, and reformers. Our Luthers, Bunyans, Wesleys and Asburys, etc... We will write their biographies, reverence their memories, frame their epitaphs, and build their monuments. We will do anything except imitate them. We cherish the last drop of their blood, but watch carefully over the first drop of our own.
Freedom always deals with 'the possible'; this gives freedom its great flexibility, its fascination, and its dangers.
Rush, that most exciting perversion of life, the necessity of accomplishing something in less time than should be truly allowed for its doing.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.