Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers
self_indulgence
7 Entries
A fiery dart of desire of base indulgence is often cast forth from the devil: but faith, suggesting a picture of the judgment, cools down the mind, and quenches the dart. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Catechetical Lectures: Lecture 5 no. 4)
Stop pleasing yourself and you will not hate your brother; stop loving yourself and you will love God." St. Maximos the Confessor.
The chief reason why so few people attain to full Christian perfection is exactly their reluctance, through self-pity, to force themselves to deny themselves absolutely everything. But if, having overcome great passionate tendencies, they do not wish, thereafter, to compel themselves to overcome small ones, which seem unimportant, then, since these small tendencies are the outcome and expression of the great, by indulging in them they inevitably feed the latter, and so make them continue to live and act in the heart, in spite of the fact that they no longer manifest themselves on a large scale. Lorenzo Scupoli (Unseen Warfare: Chapter 12)
When you free your intellect from self-indulgence in the body, in food and possessions, then whatever you do will be regarded by God as a pure offering. In exchange, the eyes of your heart will be opened, and you will be able clearly to meditate on the divine principles inscribed within it; and their sweetness to your spiritual taste will be greater than that of honey. Ilias the Presbyter(Gnomic Anthology III no. 10)
131. The remembrance of God is suffering of heart endured in a spirit of devotion. But he who forgets God becomes self-indulgent and insensitive. REF:Saint Kosmas Aitolos +1779
143. Do not ask how a poor man can be self-indulgent when he lacks the material means. For it is possible to be self-indulgent in a yet more despicable way through one's thoughts. REF:Saint Kosmas Aitolos +1779
192. The self-indulgent are distressed by criticism and hardship; those who love God by praise and luxury. REF:Saint Kosmas Aitolos +1779
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