THE LONGINGS OF OUR HEARTS MUST BE EXAMINED AND
MODERATED
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, it is necessary for you to learn many things which
you have not yet learned well.
THE DISCIPLE
What are they, Lord?
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
That you conform your desires entirely according to My good
pleasure, and be not a lover of self but an earnest doer of My will.
Desires very often inflame you and drive you madly on, but consider
whether you act for My honor, or for your own advantage. If I am the
cause, you will be well content with whatever I ordain. If, on the
other hand, any self-seeking lurk in you, it troubles you and weighs
you down. Take care, then, that you do not rely too much on
preconceived desire that has no reference to Me, lest you repent later
on and be displeased with what at first pleased you and which you
desired as being for the best. Not every desire which seems good
should be followed immediately, nor, on the other hand, should every
contrary affection be at once rejected.
It is sometimes well to use a little restraint even in good
desires and inclinations, lest through too much eagerness you bring
upon yourself distraction of mind; lest through your lack of
discipline you create scandal for others; or lest you be suddenly
upset and fall because of resistance from others. Sometimes, however,
you must use violence and resist your sensual appetite bravely. You
must pay no attention to what the flesh does or does not desire,
taking pains that it be subjected, even by force, to the spirit. And
it should be chastised and forced to remain in subjection until it is
prepared for anything and is taught to be satisfied with little, to
take pleasure in simple things, and not to murmur against
inconveniences. |
That the desires of the heart are to be examined
and governed
"My Son, thou hast still many things to learn,
which thou hast not well learned yet."
2. What are they, Lord?
3. "To place thy desire altogether in subjection
to My good pleasure, and not to be a lover of thyself, but an earnest
seeker of My will. Thy desires often excite and urge thee forward;
but consider with thyself whether thou art not more moved for thine
own objects than for My honour. If it is Myself that thou seekest,
thou shalt be well content with whatsoever I shall ordain; but if any
pursuit of thine own lieth hidden within thee, behold it is this which
hindereth and weigheth thee down.
4. "Beware, therefore, lest thou strive too
earnestly after some desire which thou hast conceived, without taking
counsel of Me; lest haply it repent thee afterwards, and that
displease thee which before pleased, and for which thou didst long as
for a great good. For not every affection which seemeth good is to be
forthwith followed; neither is every opposite affection to be
immediately avoided. Sometimes it is expedient to use restraint even
in good desires and wishes, lest through importunity thou fall into
distraction of mind, lest through want of discipline thou become a
stumbling-block to others, or lest by the resistance of others thou be
suddenly disturbed and brought to confusion.
5. "Sometimes, indeed, it is needful to use
violence, and manfully to strive against the sensual appetite, and not
to consider what the flesh may or not will; but rather to strive after
this, that it may become subject, however unwillingly, to the spirit.
And for so long it ought to be chastised and compelled to undergo
slavery, even until it be ready for all things, and learn to be
contented with little, to be delighted with things simple, and never
to murmur at any inconvenience." |