REMEMBER OUR SINS AND NOT VIRTUES WE THINK WE'VE ACQUIRED

"When people begin to praise us, let us hurry to remember the multitude of ours transgressions, and we will see that we are truly unworthy of that which they say and do in our honor."(St. John of the Ladder, Ladder, 22.42) But don't make a big deal in denying or affirming. Just says 'I hope God sees it so.'


Forget your good deeds as soon as possible ... Do not record them or speak of them, unless to instruct, for if you forget them, they will be known for all eternity.
"If you want the Lord to hide your sins, then don't talk to people about what kind of virtues you have. For as we relate to our virtues, so God relates to our sins." (St. Mark the Ascetic, Homilies, 2.135)

"Do not claim to have acquired virtue, unless you have suffered affliction, for without affliction, virtue has not been tested." (St. Mark the Ascetic, On the Spiritual Law)

"Let all involuntary suffering teach you to remember God, and you will not lack occasion for repentance."(St. Mark the Ascetic, “On the Spiritual Law) This is the wisest of sayings. Often we can fool ourselves, by penances we choose. But the penance that is most beneficial is the one we don't choose. We should deny ourselves to practice for involuntary tests.




Just because you are good in practice, doesn't mean you will be good when tempted.

As scripture says:  "...he that is just, let him be justified still: and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still." (Rev. 22:11) In other words. let him that is just become still more just, and let him that is holy become still more holy.

St. Paul says : "And I run toward the goal to take the victory of the calling of God from on high in Jesus, The Messiah." (Phil. 3:13). If we look only to the good works we have done, we will readily yield to vainglory, preferring yourself to others; we will not ascend, believing we arrived at a high perfection.

No matter our success, it is all from God, who gives the ability to succeed. If we think it is our success, we will begin to grow tepid, and from tepidity. fall into negligence; this quickly brings us to ruins. " I can do all this through him who gives me strength."(Phil. 4:13)

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3)

"[The Master] doesn’t praise the servant for doing what was commanded, does he? That’s the way it is with you. When you have done everything you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless servants. We have done only what we ought to have done.’” (Luke 17: 9-10)

Even if our actions look perfect-- do not be tricked. The devil leads us to vainglory. This is the meaning of the parable of the Pharisee and the sinner. (cf. Luke 18:10 )

The Pharisee thought he was perfect compared to the sinner. But it was the sinner who received grace and forgiveness of his sins, not the Pharisee. Even though the Pharisee did do all perfectly, it was without true love of God and neighbor.

For if we say, that we are not sinners, we are liars.(cf. 1 John 1:8)

A businessman never loses any opportunity for gaining — Likewise,  we should conduct ourselves  with virtue. Never lose a possibility to gain in virtue, even just for a mere second, in all occasions.