Becoming a Community of Disciples

Chapter 6: Spiritual Teachings – Virtues and Discipline

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perverse thoughts let the virtuous brother always say in his heart, Then shall I be without stain before him, if I have kept myself from my iniquity (Ps 18:24). 19 For it is truly our own will that we are forbidden to do as Scripture tells us: and turn away from your own will (Sir 18:30). 20 And so too we request of God in the [Lord’s] Prayer that His will may be done in us. 21 Thus we are rightly taught not to do our will, being warned as Sacred Scripture says that there are ways which appear right to men, but which at their end plunge into the depths of hell (Prov 16:25); 22 or again, when we shudder at what is said of the negligent: They are corrupt and have become abominable in their pleasures (Ps 14:1). 23 Truly, as regards the desires of the flesh we believe that God is always present to us, as the prophet says to the Lord: Before you is all my desire (Ps 38:10). 24 Let us be on our guard then against evil desires, since death has its seat close to the entrance of delight. 25 Hence the precept of Scripture, where it says: Do not go after your ardent desires (Sir 18:30). 26 Therefore, if the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the evil (Prov 15:3); 27 and the Lord is always looking down from heaven on the children of men to see whether anyone has understanding or seeks God (Ps 14:2); 28 and if the angels assigned to us report to the Lord every day, both by day and night, concerning the works we accomplish, 29 then we must be on our guard at every hour, brothers, lest as the prophet says in the psalm, God should see us at any hour inclining to evil and becoming useless (Ps 14:3); 30 and lest, despite sparing us now because He is loving and