an Orthodox type thought

Though this blog is Eastern Orthodox focussed, there are people who

say or write things that are as Orthodox as anything the saints have

written, because they drink from the same well, The Holy Scriptures.

I ran into this on my Facebook page.

"The more we know Christ, the greater our discernment, we will notice

 more evil than ever before because our eyes will be open. With that 

knowledge and wisdom comes sorrow but also strength to endue it.

Ecc. 1:18 "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth 

knowledge increaseth sorrow."

Philippians 1:9-10 "9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still 

more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may 

approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and 

without offense till the day of Christ,"

Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have 

their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish 

good from evil."

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than 

any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of 

joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of 

the heart."

Proverbs 2:5-1 "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my 

commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and 

inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight 

and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and 

search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear 

of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."

Those who only want to enjoy life, ignoring or denying everything that 

is evil around them, will feel content, but they are not useful for the 

kingdom of God.

We cannot be truthful and honest while denying truth simply to feel 

good. We are strong when we can admit truth no matter how ugly, 

feeling a sense of sorrow over evil while at the same time retaining 

that deep down sense of joy because Christ knows all about it.

Denying evil does not change the evil and it is lying. Prayer over the 

evil can bring change, but if we deny that it exists then we won't pray. 

Who is the focus when we deny evil? It is a selfish person who prefers 

positive friendly encounters all the time, there is no sense of helping 

anyone or glorifying God when our focus is our self.

We all love to feel good, but as believers, our positive outlook has 

nothing to do with avoiding the truth. Our sense of well being comes 

from knowing Who is in control and that all things have a purpose.

Pretending everything is alright, no matter what the sin people are 

involved in, is lying and unproductive. When safety is the goal of a 

believer, then narcissism has taken over.

IF we want to be useful for the kingdom, then we take things as 

they come, calling them what they are, handling them God's way 

while carrying on for Christ. His joy surpasses anything we have 

to endure."

Gwendolyn Wehage on Facebook.