I Wish To Be Guided But How Can It Be Found?

[Studying_Orthodoxy]

In my life I have realised that the Lord Almighty has blessed me in many ways. Whenever I will pray for something material such as success in examinations or for a problem to be resolved it will be granted despite all that may be in the way.

However I know that I am not a good person and commit many sins. I want to be taken away from this state yet I can never seem to be free of doing what is not proper. Sometimes I will lose my temper for no reason.

This thread is not started to make me have people say "Do not worry". My question is, what can be done to make me less of an evil person?

[katherine 2001]

Are you attending an Orthodox parish?  If you are, meet with the priest.  Talk to him about this and he will be able to guide you. 

[WeldeMikael]

I would like to add it won't be a brutal change, you will not be suddenly rigtheous. Do your best to avoid sin and practice virtues, and let the Lord do the rest. Read the lives of the Saints, the Scripture, and go to the church. You have to keep this "fire". Don't be too kind on yourself, and have a prayer rule. And remember not to imagine nothing, because you can be easily deceived by what you thought about your faith (I'd like to be more precise on this sentence but due to my lack in English I can't) . It won't be a easy and confortable path. Remember that trials and tribulations are here to test and, if "succeed", your faith will be much stronger.

In Christ,
WM

[jewish voice]

The one statement that I found so odd is when you call yourself evil. This is not a healthy mind set to start out with or to put upon oneself. To me anyone who would tell you this is not someone to listen to. So I would hope that you can find away to see yourself in a different way

[Studying_Orthodoxy]

Are you attending an Orthodox parish?  If you are, meet with the priest.  Talk to him about this and he will be able to guide you. 

More it seems that I do not know if this is the path to follow. I have many doubts if it is true or not. Yes, I think it is only about faith in the end. If only I could have a dream or sign to show me.

I would like to add it won't be a brutal change, you will not be suddenly rigtheous. Do your best to avoid sin and practice virtues, and let the Lord do the rest. Read the lives of the Saints, the Scripture, and go to the church. You have to keep this "fire". Don't be too kind on yourself, and have a prayer rule. And remember not to imagine nothing, because you can be easily deceived by what you thought about your faith (I'd like to be more precise on this sentence but due to my lack in English I can't) . It won't be a easy and confortable path. Remember that trials and tribulations are here to test and, if "succeed", your faith will be much stronger.

In Christ,
WM

Thank you for your advice.

The one statement that I found so odd is when you call yourself evil. This is not a healthy mind set to start out with or to put upon oneself. To me anyone who would tell you this is not someone to listen to. So I would hope that you can find away to see yourself in a different way

It is because it is not good to be pleased with one's self. It is better to always be self-critical.

[mabsoota]

if u are not from a Christian background, try reading the book or romans (in the Bible) especially chapters 1-8.
also read matthew, mark, luke and john.
may God guide u and give u peace.

[Pan Michał]

However I know that I am not a good person and commit many sins. I want to be taken away from this state yet I can never seem to be free of doing what is not proper. Sometimes I will lose my temper for no reason.
This thread is not started to make me have people say "Do not worry". My question is, what can be done to make me less of an evil person?

Don't worry.

And don't do other thing - don't say you are not good person. Do you know what does "Ho Diabolos" mean? It means "The Accuser". Whenever you accuse yourself of something, remember this. Jesus does not say "you are evil", he says "listen to Me". Look at this icon:



Whenever I feel guilty or sad, I see Him, calm and unmoved, saying "listen to My teachings".

Whenever I feel happy, I see Him, calm and unmoved, saying "listen to My teachings".

Christianity is about peace, not high or low self-esteem. God is a "Friend of man", not an "accuser".

You say you often loose your temper. We all do it, we can't even tell when it happened. But why it happened? Because something as little as a matchfire exploded into a blaze, for someone poured a galon of gasoline on it. And this is satan. He tells you, "how does he/she dare to be like this to you?", or simply "do it, you have to, you are only human, God will understand". It's the same inner voice that says after, "look what you did, you pathetic shadow of a man. You don't deserve anything good". Sometimes this inner voice is even more cynical, saying "degrade yourself before God, maybe he'll forgive you a bit". From challenger to judge, sounds familiar, isn't it. Christianity is not about this. Jesus did not say "look at you", but "look at Me". Remember this. Stop asking yourself a question "where am I in all of this", start instead another one - "where are You in all of this".

Orthodox Sacrament of Confession is not about telling "I'm awful, because this, this and this happened". It's about seeking an answer "what happened, and why did it happen?"



Remember one more thing - I am not a priest, I am an internet user, so please go to a local priest and talk with him.

[Tzimis]

If you are moving towards orthodoxy. Than it is good to think of yourself as evil and if someone accuses you of being evil. Pray for more people to come forward to do the same. If more people don't come forward than you know the devil has conquered your soul. Everybody loves people who say nice things to them. Try to love people that scorn you and want you to suffer. It's not so easy.

[jewish voice]

If you are moving towards orthodoxy. Than it is good to think of yourself as evil and if someone accuses you of being evil. Pray for more people to come forward to do the same. If more people don't come forward than you know the devil has conquered your soul. Everybody loves people who say nice things to them. Try to love people that scorn you and want you to suffer. It's not so easy.

that just has to be oh forget it NVM!!

[Tags:]

OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Free-For-All > Religious Topics (Moderator: Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)) > Topic: I Wish To Be Guided But How Can It Be Found?