St. John Climacus | Fear when it is an inner conviction of the soul destroys and devours impurity...
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Lessons by our Holy Fathers
Fear when it is an inner conviction of the soul destroys and devours impurity, for it is said:
- Nail down my flesh with the fear of Thee.
And holy love consumes some, according to him who said:
- Thou hast ravished our heart, Thou hast ravished our heart.
But sometimes it makes others bright and joyful, for it is said:
- My heart trusted in Him and I have been helped; even my flesh has revived; and:
- When the heart is happy the face is cheerful.
So when the whole man is in a manner commingled with the love of God, then even his outward appearance in the body, as in a kind of mirror, shows the splendour of his soul.
That is how Moses, who had looked upon God, was glorified.
- Nail down my flesh with the fear of Thee.
And holy love consumes some, according to him who said:
- Thou hast ravished our heart, Thou hast ravished our heart.
But sometimes it makes others bright and joyful, for it is said:
- My heart trusted in Him and I have been helped; even my flesh has revived; and:
- When the heart is happy the face is cheerful.
So when the whole man is in a manner commingled with the love of God, then even his outward appearance in the body, as in a kind of mirror, shows the splendour of his soul.
That is how Moses, who had looked upon God, was glorified.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent -- St. John Climacus