Part of spiritual maturity and spiritual wisdom is alert watchfulness of one's own soul. It requires paying attention to the movements of the soul, to whether one is in a state of consolation or desolation.
This is termed
discrimination, or
discernment of the spirits:
...the ability to distinguish between thoughts and feelings inspired by God and those inspired by the devil and those of our own free will.
Am I moving towards or away from God in my mind, feelings, and will (soul)?
This is what the Bible calls "guarding your heart."
"Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flows the springs of life."
Proverbs 4:23
What are we guarding our hearts from?
The three powerful giant enemies of the soul have been spoken of by our church fathers and Gods' Word for thousands of years: Forgetfulness; Sloth; and Ignorance.
The opposite of Forgetfulness is Specific Remembrance.
The opposite of Sloth is Active Engagement
The opposite of Ignorance is Wise Knowledge
The Bible is clear on what we are to remember:
- Deuteronomy 6:12 "Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
- Acts 20:35 "...remember the words of the Lord Jesus,"
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15 "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."
The Bible tells us to avoid sloth and engage in service of our King:
- Proverbs 18:9 "Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys."
- Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,"
- Romans 12:11 "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."
- 1 Timothy 5:13 "Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not."
- Isaiah 56:10 "His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
- Acts 17:21 "Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new."
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11 "For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies."
- Hebrews 6:12 "So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
- Matthew 25:18 "But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money."
Wise Knowledge requires our active pursuit and discernment:
- Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."
- 1 John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
- Acts 3:17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers."
- 1 Timothy 1:13 Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief."
When we allow these three giants into our soul, the rest of self-indulgent narcissistic leanings flourish in our souls. Many Christians are ignorant of these three giants and how to combat them.
Watchfulness, standing guard, means coming aware that one needs to be aware and alert, then attentiveness to the movements within the soul and discernment to correctly name what is happening.
With help from God above, a mentor or spiritual director experienced in such matters, and constant prayer, the Christ follower will be able to remain alert to which giants one is more susceptible to and how to close the spiritual door to their influences.
(Using what is helpful from the Philokalia and leaving the rest - just as with any
tradition or denomination; No single culture, theologian, or
denomination has a corner on interpretation of absolute truth).
*From Abba Mark's Letter to Nicolas, p. 199 of Volume 4 of Philokalia.
