Obtaining Discretion

We cannot obtain discretion by ourselves--it is a gift from God (1 Cor. 12:8-11).  Nevertheless, we must always seek to obtain discretion in order to avoid errors and waywardness (The Conferences: 2.1.4).

In this conference Abba Moses shares a short discourse given by St. Anthony the Great on discretion.  St. Anthony points out that when discretion is lacking, our thoughts and deeds fall into darkness (Matt. 6:22-23).  How can we avoid such darkness?  By obtaining the virtues and being filled with the gladsome Light Who is Christ.  Only by discretion can we assure that the virtues will endure in us to the end (2.2.4; 2.4.4), because thoughts and deeds themselves proceed from discretion (2.2.6).  We always have the free will to discretely allow or disallow whatever thoughts come into our minds.  Thus, discretion is needed to preserve inner peace.

The Begetter of All Virtues

 "And so, according to the opinion both of blessed Antony and of all the others, discretion was understood as that which would lead the fearless monk on a steady ascent to God and would always preserve the aforesaid virtues undamaged; as that with which the heights of perfection could be scaled with little weariness; and as that without which many of those who labor even with a good will would be unable to arrive at the summit.  Discretion is the begetter, guardian, and moderator of all virtues." - Abba Moses (The Conferences: 2.4.4)