Who Can Teach Others

St. Theophan the Recluse (1815 - 1894)

Apophthegmata Partum as translated by St. Theophan the Recluse.

Chapter X. About reasoning.

115. Abba Poemen said: teaching one’s neighbor is characteristic of the sane and dispassionate, for what need is there for anyone to build another’s house and ruin his own.

291. The elder said: there is nothing poorer than the mind that philosophizes without God about the divine. Anyone who teaches in a church or in a cell must first fulfill what he speaks and teaches, as it is said: “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits” (2 Tim. 2:6).

Source

Saint Theophan the Recluse on Discernment

Selected psalms interpreted by Saint Theophan the Recluse.

St. Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)

The truth of God is the commandments: the decisions of the truth of God are God's judgments and determinations of what, when and how things should be done in order to serve the cause of salvation and pleasing God, and not ruin it. This is determined by the well-known "reasoning" of the holy fathers. This is the second requirement for success in the work of God.

This reasoning, or the ability to determine how best to act in which case, is not acquired suddenly, but gradually. At first, he who approaches the way of God usually does not reason himself, but asks everything from those who know how to reason, as it happens in all worldly affairs and undertakings. But then, with strict attention, which was suggested in the previous verse, and with experiments in leadership, deeds after deeds, successfully completed, give the soul the habit of determining something by itself. This skill grows along with the progress of life and is finally established; internal rightness is acquired, which directly and correctly determines what and how to do; the right spirit is renewed in the womb, that is, in a purified heart.This reasoning has two functions: one distinguishes thoughts, the other guesses the indications of God's providence, that is, what God wants from us in this or that case and situation, for everything is from Him, and everything is arranged for our good, for our salvation.

Do Not Wish Other People to Know Your Good Deeds

Saint Theophan the Recluse. "Thoughts for Each Day of the Year".

St. Theophan the Recluse

[Gal. 2:6-10; Mark 5:22-24, 35-6:1] Having resurrected the daughter of Jairus, the Lord charged her parents straitly, that no man should know it. Thus are we commanded: do not seek glory, and do not train your ear for human praises, even if your deeds are of such a nature that it is impossible to hide them. Do what the fear of God and your conscience urge you to do, and behave as though such talk did not exist. Look after your soul—as soon as it inclines the slightest degree in this direction, return it to its place. A desire for people to know is provoked by a desire for praise. When there is praise the goal is achieved; but this undermines one’s energy and suppresses the praiseworthy activity, and consequently suppresses the continuation of praise. Thus, one who wants people to know of his good deeds is his own betrayer. It is a good thing for people to praise what is good—for why wouldn’t someone praise what is good? But do not keep this in your thoughts; do not expect it and do not seek it. Indulge yourself in this and you will be totally spoiled. One indulgence leads to another. Increasing the frequency of the same deeds turns them into a habit, and you will be a lover of praise. When you come to that point, then not all of your deeds will be praiseworthy, and praise will cease. Because you lack praise from others, you will begin to praise yourself, and this is what the Lord called sounding a trumpet before oneself. This is even worse. The soul then becomes petty, and chases solely after tinsel. Do not expect true good to come from such a soul.

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