Spiritual Delusion and Discernment: An Orthodox Perspective

[@auburnred9027]

Brilliant context and biblical translation. The “Battle of Evermore”: humility vs haughtiness, discernment vs deception, cognizance vs complacency. Awareness is key to navigating this life. 🙏🏻

[@KirstinParker-iw8fr]

☦️bless

[@alexandria1663]

I wish I could express to you all how timely this video was for me, thank you and thank God.

[@vickykentrota9031]

God bless you all Greetings from Greece 🙏🇬🇷

[@michaelalexander3001]

I'm not even halfway through but wanted to say what a blessing it was to stumble on this video. Truly life-giving wisdom on this Friday. Thank you Fathers!

[@ArchimandriteMaximos]

Please like and subscribe:)

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

Thank you ! Very helpful !!

[@saintmaximossociety]

Thank you for watching!

[@Xeniathefool-11]

Thank you for this. I’m 61 and 2 years in- total. My background is profoundly sinful and my children, sisters etc. are super skeptical about this change in my life and don’t acknowledge my existence. I’ve lost a lot of energy, gumption and thought in the last year. Sometimes I’m scared of all of this change in me. My priest said he is willing to be my spiritual father, but I don’t know how to start. I want to be nearly nothing (no trouble, unnoticed) sometimes, but I also think I need serious help. What should I do? Xenia

[@ArchimandriteMaximos]

God bless you :)

[@saintmaximossociety]

If your priest is willing, develop a relationship with him so that you can go to him regularly for guidance, not just confession. Thank you for watching and God bless you in your journey.

[@Adam_Wilde]

Xenia, I hear you. I will pray for mercy for you in my evening prayers ❤

[@Xeniathefool-11]

@ thank you. I would like prayers. Having so much guilt pis a fine line between repentance between hating what I’ve done and joy for having been illuminated to understand the Truth finally.

[@varnadorsutton265]

Blessings to you, we’re in the same boat, pass me an oar!

[@robmcrorie6324]

What is the author of the gospel book they described at the end?

[@varnadorsutton265]

Since my conversion five years ago, I have always doubted the reality of my union with God. Lately, more than ever. I'm not sure that I will ever be 100% sure about anything, not even my own salvation. Not until the faith becomes sight, until I see Him face to face will I know anything for certain. I am not orthodox, neither do I have a "spiritual father." I understand this makes me ripe for delusion. I could be deluded of my own salvation, this blessed union. I am convinced, however, that none can separate me from God, not even God himself without my most fierce objection. And even if God should destroy me, make me nothing, even then shall I be unseparated from His eternal nothingness. If in fact I am in delusion, then by His mercies has he made it blessed.

[@Xeniathefool-11]

I feel you.

[@ArchimandriteMaximos]

Orthodoxy is the method established by God to aid man to acheive this union by making available his true Body and Blood, this is the means is of theosis

[@saintmaximossociety]

Thank you for watching. Consider attending some services in a local orthodox parish and speak to a member of the clergy. That's a good start.

[@varnadorsutton265]

@ArchimandriteMaximos I do not understand what you are saying. Orthodoxy is the means to theosis? I am not sure that orthodoxy and the church are one and the same. Is it possible to be a member of the church and not be orthodox? Can one attain theosis outside of orthodoxy?

[@saintmaximossociety]

@@varnadorsutton265 I think your questions are addressed in the stream and in past classes. Orthodox means correct (ortho) +belief (doxa) or glory. The Orthodox Church is the body of Christ. Christ Himself does not differentiate between Himself and His Church, when he tell St. Paul (then Saul) in Acts "Why does thou persecutest me?" By definition, if you are not received into the body of Christ- his Church, you can not be Orthodox. However, in order to be an Orthodox Christian, you must also confess the Truth that the Church has preserved since Christ established His Church. This is what makes one Orthodox- they are a part of the Body of Christ, confess proper beliefs, (The Symbol of Faith, the Councils etc.) and have a living faith. It is always possible for one to fall away from the faith once delivered to the Saints. (Jude) We will do another class on Theosis and Deification to elaborate on what it means to become gods by grace.

[@gabrielc91-sur]

IC XC 🌵📿🕯☦️🕯🌵NIKA