An Introduction to Asceticism, pt 3: Asceticism and True Vs False Love

[@alexb7596]

These lectures have been eye-opening. Though I was born and baptized into Orthodoxy (ROCOR), I had stepped away for many years. Now, returning back, I am in awe of the depth and wisdom contained within the True Church - Orthodox Christianity. Thank you for your efforts, they are truly making a difference!

[@bible_unleashed2]

How can I Love Jesus?

[@TheUrbanLamp]

@@bible_unleashed2 Repentance and self-denial

[@BeznerPaz]

@@bible_unleashed2 By contemplating how Good He has been with you. Reflect on the Creator's Love to love Him and his greation. Another way to love Him, show Him how much you love Him, and asking Him to let you love Him more is by asceticism (which is the whole point of this video) and real, genuine repentance from your sins. God bless my dear brother/sister, you're always in my prayers.

[@joylarson9040]

Thank you Father.

[@Laurentiu_150]

What a great series, it's like listening to John the Golden Mouthed. Greeting from Romania father. Glory to God!

[@NotBlandBlandina]

Lord have mercy, this is very timely for me

[@nateorthodawg]

Much needed Fr

[@bacononeverything9722]

You are certainly right that repenting is a painful process. I am doing it right now and am very afraid of where the path of repentance will take me. I felt sick with worry for the entire first day. Hopefully this gets easier. I fear what God will ask me to repent from next. Pray for me please.

[@fujikokun]

Thank you for these Father, they were extremely helpful.

[@sandahorvath-berindea1593]

Thank you,Father ,very much helpful!

[@matthewazar1205]

Thank you sir

[@sarenifreestyle]

Thank you father has helped me very much❤☦️

[@ირაკლიმაისურაძე-ნ8დ]

God bless orthodoxy amen ❤

[@KirstinParker-iw8fr]

Bless

[@brandonvermelle]

Father, just a correction on the typo in the title - it should be "love" and not "live" ! Thank you for all you do, Father

[@chantalewizman7512]

What about how the Bible teaches love your neighbor as yourself? I was advised that I needed to learn to love myself. It was explained that loving your neighbor first has to come from a love for yourself. Not the carnal Way but practically speaking. For example if someone is impatient and mean or unkind to themselves,, it will likely be difficult for them to show patience and kindness to somebody else. I was taught that when we learn to be more patient with ourself and more kind it becomes easier for us to hold that space for others due to the fact we know how to hold it for ourselves. Love is first patient and then kind. Therefore it is a form of loving self A different kind is if someone continually dates abusive men or women. They were advised that they must learn to love themselves more and stop being destroyed for the sake of the other but not oneself. What are your thoughts on this please. I'm also curious based on this how it works for someone who is in love with his or her husband /wife. If they are cheating or someone is trying to be with your partner then it definitely feels like we are holding it tightly. Yet the Bible speaks of stirring up a man's jealousy if one takes his wife. As if it is programmed this way. How do I reflect on those matters in light of your teaching here today? Thank you so much in advance

[@BeznerPaz]

Thanks for your question brother. With ''love of self'' in this video we mean loving ourselves in the way that we don't want ourselves to suffer, even though we know we need it; to allow ourselves some pleasures, even though we know they're actually harmful for us. ''Love of self'' in this context is like saying ''lack of self-discipline''. Don't think that orthodox Christianity doesn't teach to love ourselves in the correct way, God loves us pretty inmensely, so we must love ourselves also. We ourselves are God's Creation, so if we claim to love the Creator, might aswell love the Creation, right? Love yourself my friend, just be careful not to fall into your own evil and fallen desires. God bless.

[@antoninospitale4646]

Dear Father i would like to listen from you here , in this channel , the life of Saint Seraphim of Sarov. Thanks

[@marianamarcu9135]

Păcat ca nu se traduce automat și în română 🙏🙏🙏

[@chantalewizman7512]

Also, what is the difference about this kind of asceticism versus the one spoken of in Colossians? Jesus did speak of denying self. I do see in certain cases what you are speaking of and how it does produce more Liberty so that makes sense. It's just if we don't love ourselves at all I have seen things that I asked in a first comment, and then of course this verse below I'm just wanting to understand please. Thank you. Colossians 2:18. ESV Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, NIV Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you.