Comments on: Fr. Hans Jacobse: When God Speaks and We Obey, Good Things Happen

By: Eliot Ryan

Eliot Ryan — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 04:36:25 +0000

St. John of Kronstadt said, that “If anybody has any doubts about whether or not the devil exists, just try to keep the commandments of Christ and spend time in fast and prayer”.

It used to be common knowledge that demons are deceiving and can imitate benevolent spirits in order to trick people. I know someone who got tricked and spent some time behind the locked doors of a psychiatric ward.
One is never sure to be walking on safe paths. St. John’s Climacus Ladder of Divine Ascent shows that one can fall off the top rung.
The church teaches us to “test the spirits, to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). I do not know how the “test the spirits”. I try to keep in mind Psalm 51 …

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight
…

By: Michael Bauman

Michael Bauman — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:28:02 +0000

Yes, it clearly happens. Sometimes it is really crystal clear, other times more muted. I was in Indianapolis a few years ago in a Dairy Queen. I was waiting for my order when a distinguish looking man walked in. It was obvious he was a man of God somehow. All of a sudden I heard a voice: “Talk to the man!” Reluctantly, I went up and asked if he were a pastor. He said yes, and I thanked him for his dedication. I got my order and was heading back to my brother’s house, the voice said “Go back and talk to the man” I did and we ended up having a wonderful conversation about God, Jesus Christ and Mary (although he was Protestant). At the end we clasped hands and prayed in thanksgiving.

By: Eliot Ryan

Eliot Ryan — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:55:21 +0000

These things are not always so clear. I am dealing with thoughts and impulses and I can’t even assess where they come from and I don’t know what to do about them. I certainly know that I have to be careful because I can be easily deceived. Such things can be quite complicated, even dangerous.

By: Kevin Allen

Kevin Allen — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:53:43 +0000

I love this, Father! It is a great encouragement to me to know that we can really hear God’s voice within us if we take the time — and sometimes have the courage — to listen and respond. Thanks for the post!

By: Eliot Ryan

Eliot Ryan — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 05:15:59 +0000

The noise of our lives coming from television or radio, Walkman or iPod shows that we are constantly trying to get rid of the silence.

The modern world and its “free” people increasingly resemble a treacherous desert where illusory rest is found in oases of addictions (drugs, alcohol, sex, games) and consumerism… people dominated by passions and afraid to be alone with their own thoughts.

True human freedom is slavery to God. We need to learn to be “tuned in” to hear God.