The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part XIII

Philokalia Ministries

Discernment, St. John tells us, arises out of humility. It also allows us to see the value of humility in the spiritual life. It is the virtue above all virtues, that we must cling to in the spiritual battle. The enemy will seek to confuse us in one way or another; by flattery or by seemingly knowing our thoughts and placing ideas before us which then make us fear their control over us. However, discernment and humility, both protect our capacity to live in He who is the truth.

It also allows us to see the truth about ourselves as human beings and our dignity. We are not created with the passions. They rise out of our sin and the distortion of the desire that God has placed in us naturally. It is desire that makes us long for him and the life of virtue and it is anger that allows us to fight the good fight of faith and strike down the evil one and the temptations that are placed before us.

We also find, over the course of time, that discernment allows us to let go of our judgment and what gives us security in the spiritual life and to trust wholly in God. Therefore, when life seems to crumble around us and all seems to be wrapped in darkness, discernment allows us to step forward with trust in God and his love. While it keeps us from acting in rash way it also protects us from false prudence that hides cowardice and lack of courage.

What we begin to see is that any struggle in the spiritual life to overcome the passions, any sacrifice that we make to follow the Lord, promises what is beyond imagination. Even to lose all in this world is to lose nothing if we have Christ.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:06:22 Rachel: Hello everyone 00:11:11 Rachel: lol 00:12:42 Rachel: No one will take me😭 I guess trying to convince people what sinners they are and so need to go to the Holy Annointing as well as drive me was not a good stategy 00:13:28 Rachel: I have been but I went to Mass at noon, and others have other obligations 00:13:42 Rachel: When Rory gets home, Ill try to convince him. LOL 00:14:08 Rachel: He will gladly go. He loves the Byzantine Liturgies 00:17:48 Ambrose Little: I resemble that. 00:31:21 David: Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife.-St. Leo the Great 00:33:09 David C: Reacted to "Virtue is nothing wi..." with ❤️ 00:34:12 mhinckley: incisive anger: I always struggle with being just with it 00:34:36 David C: Reacted to "incisive anger: I al..." with 👍 00:34:39 mhinckley: not to mention charitable 00:40:01 mhinckley: I have always appreciated the use of "thorn" with sin. You never intentionally grasp for a thorn, only things that thorns surround. 00:40:51 David C: Reacted to "I have always apprec..." with 👍 00:42:58 Rachel: no. he is frozen 00:43:03 Lisa Smith: Same here. 00:43:04 Bob Cihak: Me too. 00:43:08 David C: Yeah he was frozen on my screen as well 00:43:29 Rachel: I only have Rens screen 00:43:38 Bob Cihak: Rising from the Frozen! 00:43:43 sprou: Reacted to "Rising from the Froz..." with 👍 00:43:46 David C: Reacted to "Rising from the Froz..." with 👍 00:47:29 David: I always try to remember what Mother Teresa said - I am a little pencil in the hand of God. At least when good flows through me however I often need frequent sharpening and a good eraser when I write :) 00:48:11 David C: Reacted to "I always try to reme..." with 👍 00:49:53 mhinckley: Reacted to "I always try to reme..." with 👍 00:53:40 Bob Cihak: What about St. Paul? "You have fought the good fight." 00:57:29 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Examples?? 00:59:26 David: Would this be something like instead of dwelling on a temptation and agonizing vs. simply casting the thought from our minds in the beginning? 01:00:26 David: Evargius a good example 01:15:38 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂 01:16:13 Bob Cihak: Blessings to you, Fr. 01:16:20 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father! 01:16:21 David: Thank your Father! 01:16:24 Rachel: thank y ou 01:16:25 Jeff O.: Thank you Father! 01:16:25 mhinckley: buona pasqua tutti! 01:16:31 Semai: Oh i joined late 😭 01:16:38 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Blessed Easter! 01:16:41 Mitch: Thanks!