But since the world, which thou art to strive against, is not without thee, but within thee, it follows, that it is also to be conquered not without, but within thee.
Johann ArndtRead
This truth is a remedy against spiritual pride, namely, that none should account himself better before God than others, though perhaps adorned with greater gifts, and endowments.
Interpretation
Humility is essential in spirituality; no one is superior to another despite their talents or gifts.
This quote highlights the importance of humility in one's spiritual journey. It suggests that regardless of an individual's talents, virtues, or gifts, they should not consider themselves superior to others before God. Spiritual pride can lead to a disconnect from true humility and an imbalance in oneβs relationship with others and the divine.
In practice
In a sermon about humility, this quote can be used to remind congregants to remain grounded.
But since the world, which thou art to strive against, is not without thee, but within thee, it follows, that it is also to be conquered not without, but within thee.
In short, all things that please the natural man in this world, are, to a true Christian, only so many crosses and temptations, allurements of sin and snares of death, that continually exercise his virtue.
Whatever man uses without the fear of God, whatever he applies to the mere gratifying of his flesh, cannot fail to operate as a poison to the soul, however pleasant and salutary it may appear to be to the body.
Men say they only learn this but he said that no creature can learn that which his heart has no shape to hold.
There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under my jurisdiction. There are certain lottery tickets I can buy, thereby increasing my odds of finding contentment. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with.
Remember, you can be exalted without a college degree. You can be exalted without being slender and beautiful. You can be exalted without having a successful career. You can be exalted if you are not rich and famous. So focus the best that you can on those things in life that will lead you back to the presence of God - keeping all things in their proper balance.
My experience has shown me that the people who are exceptionally good in business aren't so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more.
If others hurt you, let the injury go. This is your test. If you let it go, you will find serenity.
We all dream things into being; you imagine yourself having a child, and then you have a child. An inventor will think of something in his mind and then make it actual. So things are often passing from the imagined realm into the real world.
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