“You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgement. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.”
-St. Seraphim of Sarov
(h/t Mind in the Heart)
3 responses so far ↓
The Didache 33 - Coda // July 13, 2009 at 5:22 pm |
[...] post, You Cannot Be Too Gentle, captures much of the heart of what I was trying to say about even the difficult ground of reproof. [...]
Tripp // August 1, 2009 at 3:39 pm |
great quote. I’m actually going to use a section of it in my sermon tomorrow on Ephesians 4.
Cameron // August 1, 2009 at 3:58 pm |
Tripp, very cool. Blessing in your preaching. I hope it goes well.