Episode 13 -- Spiritual Combat c9.1 -- Avoiding Intellectual Curiosity

What else can I do to prevent intellectual deception?

In our last episode, we read about a rule Fr Scupoli gives for avoiding “misguided enthusiasm.” He lays out the obstacle or difficulty we experience in trying to form correct judgments about good and evil.

Obstacle

• Inordinate love and hatred for something.

• Bias of the passions (feelings of attraction or repulsion) makes things appear good or evil before we can think about them.

• Our feelings/affections disguise things as good or evil.

Advice

• Discover what things are really like (their nature) before allowing strong feelings to get attached.

• Decide if something is good to do on the basis of reason and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

• Do nothing rashly, without careful consideration.

What is good in itself, might not be good for me, here and now. What is holiest in itself, might not be for me. Lord, enlighten our minds with what you want us to do!

In this episode, we will look at a further piece of advice Fr Scupoli offers. He warns us about excessive curiosity!