Apostles Quote by John Cassian
“...we must first scrutinize thoroughly anything appearing in our hearts or any saying suggested to us. Has it come purified from the divine and heavenly fire of the Holy Spirit? Or does it lean toward Jewish superstition? Is its surface piety something which has come down from bloated worldly philosophy? We must examine this most carefully, doing as the apostle bids us: 'Do not believe in every spirit, but make sure to find out if spirits are from God'.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Institutes of John Cassian, 5th century
We must rigorously test any belief or teaching against divine purity, rejecting those that stem from superstition or worldly philosophy.
In simple terms: Test beliefs for divine truth.
Key Takeaway
Discern truth from superstition.
Themes
faith
discernment
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal study
- spiritual guidance
- religious education
Key Concepts
theology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria do you use to evaluate spiritual teachings?
- How do you balance faith with critical inquiry?
A Different Perspective
Human intuition can bias interpretation of spiritual matters.
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