The Introduction to the Devout Life
The fourth part of Filotea – the world of temptations!
Group discussion in English with Justin Narzary, Sławomir Bartodziej, Grea Mendoza
Part Fourth of the Introduction to the Devout Life centers on the theme of temptations and how to deal with them. Here are some points that surfaced during our group discussion
- Whoever chooses to live a good life, according to Jesus Christ, must be ready to confront all evil comments and discouragements. Courage and never give up, “Dogs bark, caravan goes!”
- Temptations without consent are nothing but glory of God and victory of His love raining in one’s life.
- Living in fear if front of temptations shows only the level of one’s trust in the Lord. Don’t waste time and energy on fear; open up to Love and fear will disappear.
- Agitation and rush open the door to welcome temptations, calm controls and tames them; the choice is yours!
- Don’t be afraid of sadness that leads you to mercy and penitence; run for life, on the vehicle of prayer and charity, from sadness that inclines you to agitation, laziness, contempt, jealousy, envy and impatience.
- Hell is about loneliness, heaven about community; shared difficulties are cut in half, shared joys are doubled. A good friend and spiritual director, these two, make sure you don’t miss them!
- Humility is the key to true greatness!
- In many cases temptations indicate the area where one needs to grow.
- Temptations are not to be feared but faced, never alone but always with the trusting attitude and abandonment in the Lord through prayer and charity; it calls for lot of patience and humility.
- In good or bad times “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov 3:5-6)
Photo by Joe Boenzi: Slawek makes a point, 8 January 2009
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