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.
