Episode 10 -- Spiritual Combat c6 -- Further Advice on Obtaining Distrust of Self and Trust in God

Does Fr Scupoli have any further advice on obtaining distrust of self and confidence in God? Yes!

In chapter 5, Fr Scupoli writes about a HIDDEN PRIDE. Pride as a sin is called SUPERBIA, in Latin. Super = above.

Pride is an unhealthy wanting of things that are above ourselves. We should want to be like Christ and to become holy.

• Pride makes us want to be like Christ by our own strength!

• Presumption makes us confident that being like Christ on our own is possible!

• Hidden pride is pride that we ourselves do not see, but which infects our actions as the secret motivation.

Let us pray for each other. The usual way that God reveals our hidden pride is by allowing us to fall, to commit sin. Our surprise and anxiety and cowardice to fight on is a sign of hidden pride.

“Excessive sadness,” St Philip used to say, “usually stems from no other source than pride.”

In this episode, we will finish reading Fr Scupoli’s advice on obtaining distrust of self and confidence or trust in God. This reading is very encouraging. He exhorts us never to give up!