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Evergetinos Hypothesis 33: Causes, Benefits, and Kinds of Temptations
40:25
The video presents Hypothesis 33 from the third volume of the Evergetinos, a compilation of patristic teachings on the causes, benefits, and kinds of temptations and tribulations. Abba Mark teaches that no tribulation comes unjustly; all occur by God's just judgment, some for one's own sins and others for the sins of neighbors. He explains that enduring afflictions with faith uncovers hidden evil thoughts, brings true humility, and reveals vain conceit.
Abba Mark distinguishes two kinds of interaction: one from malice, which makes a person involuntarily responsible for a neighbor's suffering, and one from love, exemplified by Christ and the apostles who took others' tribulations upon themselves for their salvation. He also outlines three kinds of right conduct before God: not sinning; sinning but enduring consequent afflictions patiently; and sinning without endurance but later repenting through God's grace.
Abba Mark adds that each person's thoughts are the cause of every occurrence; words and deeds proceed from thoughts and create interactions through which we assume responsibility for one another in ways we do not know.
St. Maximos the Confessor adds that afflictions serve three purposes: the annulment of past sins, correction of present negligence, and prevention of future sins. He notes that the wise person blames himself rather than the instrument of his chastisement. St. Maximos observes that temptation follows an increase of grace, as with Christ after his baptism and the apostles after receiving the Comforter.
He states that trials from divine love produce humility and longing for God, while those permitted because of pride are crushing and require the cure of humility through prayer and tears.
St. Barsanuphius distinguishes temptations that arise from one's own will, which are harmful, from those permitted by God to test character, which bring hope and salvation. The Gerontikon and other fathers affirm that no one enters the kingdom without temptations, that a monk is revealed in temptation, and that fleeing beneficial temptation is fleeing eternal life.
Key moments
- No tribulation comes upon a person unjustly; all things occur according to the just judgment of God, some for one's own misdeeds and others for the misdeeds of neighbors.
- The Lord brings afflictions for our benefit to uncover secret evil thoughts, acquire true and unfeigned humility, and disclose our vain conceit.
- Each person's thoughts are the cause of every occurrence; words and deeds proceed from thoughts and create interactions through which we assume responsibility for one another in ways we do not know.
- Interaction from malice makes one involuntarily responsible for the tribulations of the person wronged, while interaction from love, begun by Christ, means taking on others' tribulations for their salvation.
- There are three kinds of right conduct before God: not sinning; sinning but enduring the consequent afflictions patiently; and sinning without endurance but later repenting through God's grace.
- Afflictions befall us for chastening, to annul past sins, correct present negligence, or prevent future sins, and the conscious person gives thanks to God and blames himself rather than the instrument of the tribulation.
- Temptation comes only after the soul has attained a higher spiritual state and received an increase of grace, as with Christ after his baptism and the apostles after receiving the Comforter.
- There are two kinds of temptation: those for which we are responsible, arising from our own will and desires, which are harmful; and those occurring by God's permission to test character, which are beneficial and bring hope.