Introduction
This blog post is based on, "In Search of True wisdom: Visits to Eastern Spiritual Fathers", by Sergius Bolshakoff and M. Basil Pennington, OSCO. The book is filled with the spiritual wisdom of the Eastern Church Fathers - many of whom are from the Greek and Russian Orthodox traditions.
One method which these Eastern Church Fathers teach is the Jesus Prayer (a prayer which is based on Scripture, specifically found in the gospel passage on the healing Blind Bartimaeus). St. Nilos of Soza, one of the Eastern Church Fathers, teaches how the practice of the Jesus Prayer can be combined with his teaching on fighting evil suggestions (how to distinguish good thoughts from dangerous ones).
prilog
St. Nilos of Soza teaches that in one's spiritual life, an image or idea may appear in one's mind and heart. This is prilog. The idea or image can be a thought suggested by the devil, who tempts us to do one thing or another.
connection
Connection is the next stage. In this stage, one begins to discuss with the appearing thought or image. If one does not resist prilog, and begin to dialogue with the sinful suggestion or idea, a connection is made.
fusion
St. Nilos calls the third stage fusion. After a connection with the sinful image or suggestion, the person may finally decide to do what the thought urges him to do. This is called fusion. And fusion is of two types. The second type of fusion is when the person, who has decided to follow the devilish suggestion, but does not have the opportunity to act on the suggestion, will really truly act out the suggestion when the opportunity presents itself.
imprisonment
Imprisonment is the next stage of fusion. This stage has two degrees also - like fusion. The first degree is when the person is really overpowered by the devilish suggestion. In this first degree stage of imprisonment, through divine assistance, the person can still turn away from the devilish idea and suggestion, and return to his regular business of prayer and good works. The second degree of imprisonment is when the person's mind is overwhelmed as by a tempest or storm. The person then finds it very difficult and impossible to return to his former quiet and peace.
Degree of sinfulness
The degree of sinfulness is measured by the way the person is overpowered by the evil idea or suggestion. The person already becomes a slave of the devilish suggestion. He is led to, as an example, to a drinking spree, an act of fornication or adultery, an act of stealing, or any act that makes a person commit a serious or mortal sin that will weaken or destroy his relationship with God.
How to fight evil suggestions
The best method to fight an evil suggestion from the devil, is to cut off the very first prilog and to practice unceasing prayer. At the first sign of prilog, the person must reject it at once, and not enter into dialogue with it. The prilog distracts us from our regular way of prayer and good works. We must reject the prilog and look into the depths of our heart and say the Jesus Prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
One wise advice from the Eastern Spiritual Fathers is to be spiritually vigilant and alert. When an idea, thought, word, or image presents itself to us, even if it appears to be a good one, yet if we feel some uncertainty and hesitation about it, we must reject the prilog at once. The key to overcome this initial temptation is not to lose courage and persevere in the Jesus Prayer. If the temptation persists, we are to continue not to take notice of it, and pray and call on the Lord Jesus. If we feel ourselves weakening or in despair, we must still call on the Lord Jesus, asking for His help and never giving up prayer. If we are firm in our prayer and our calling on the Lord, the temptation will vanish. So the solution to fight evil suggestions is to practice vigilance and to pray constantly.
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