On Guarding Our Thoughts

I managed to get to sleep on time last night, which lead to me getting up on time this morning. I had no pressing concerns, so unless there is some failure of my computer, this post should make it out on time. I'm still writing a few articles that aren't based off my Lectio Divina, but quality posts take a bit of time to flesh out - not that I could ever be accused of writing any quality posts. Anyway...

This Lectio Divina is inspired by The Rule of Saint Benedict Chapter 7:14-18.

¹⁴The Prophet indicates this to us when he shows that our thoughts are always present to God, saying: God searches hearts and minds (Ps 7:10); ¹⁵again he says: The Lord knows the thoughts of men (Ps 93[94]: 11); ¹⁶likewise, From afar you know my thoughts (Ps 138[139]:3); ¹⁷and, The thought of man shall give you praise (Ps 75[76]:11). ¹⁸That he may take care to avoid sinful thoughts, the virtuous brother must always say to himself: I shall be blameless in his sight if I guard myself from my own wickedness (Ps 17[18]:24).

Verse 14 is recalling something that is said previously in verse 13, "let him recall that he is always seen by God in heaven, that his actions everywhere are in God’s sight and are reported by angels at every hour." I didn't include verse 13 in the quote above, nor the inspired by because it was a part of yesterday's reading, but I supposed yesterday's reading was a type of foundation for today's reading.

On to my thoughts.

 

Man, and here I mean humans, area a fallen race. When we fell our natures changed, and sin became natural to us. It is easy to see that we have given in to sin - or at least are comfortable in sin.

There are wars, famine, rapes, murders, schemes, and scandals. But surely we are not as bad as those who do these? Surely we can be seen as more righteous than these horrible criminals, right?

But how did we react when someone cut us off on the highway? Or when someone was driving slower in front of us than we wanted to go? Did we shout expletives, or even think them?

What did our minds think when we saw that attractive barista at our favorite coffee shop? Did we think she was a nice person and did a good job, or did we look upon her with lust in our eyes?

How did we react to that homeless man we passed on the street who was begging for money or food? Did we give him something to help him, did we feel sorrow that we had nothing to give and say a prayer for him, or did we avoid his gaze while still looking down on him in disgust and disdain?

And what about at work? Was our boss insufferable again? Did we daydream about kicking him out of a window, or did we pray for him and whatever is causing him stress? And that coworker who got the promotion instead of you; were you angry and jealous, or happy that they met with success?

If looking at a women with lust in our eyes is the same as adultery (St. Matthew 5:27-28), then what about imagining kicking our boss out of the window? This is what I mean when I say that sin is natural to us - if these thoughts are so easy for us to have, so comfortable to have because they are "secret".

The stoics taught that we are in control of our thoughts - or at least we can control our thoughts - and that our thoughts will lead to our choices, and our choices will determine the outcomes of our lives. More simply, our thoughts determine our lives. Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica taught, "Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture. If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek and kind, then that is what our life is like. If our attention turned to the circumstances in which we live, we are drawn into a whirlpool of thoughts and can have neither peace nor tranquility. (Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives)

We are told by St. Paul to think about things which are pure, honest, true, and lovely. (Philippians 4:8-9) In Resiliency Training from the Army we are taught to hunt the good stuff instead of dwelling on the bad.

God knows our thoughts, and He sees us at all times. Those secret thoughts are not so secret. We should keep this at the forefront of our minds. To live a virtuous life - which is a constant struggle - we must safeguard our thoughts and remember that God loves us. He wants us to return to our true nature, a nature free from sin.