-Elder Ephraim of Arizona The Art of Salvation Watchfulness, Prayer and Confession

Watchfulness resembles a full size axe, which is used to chop down giant trees by striking them at the root. When the root is struck, the tree no longer grows. Similarly, when a Christian implements watchfulness with his mind, he successfully guards his heart and the five senses—both the spiritual senses of the soul and the body. When the mind is watchful and attentive, when it regulates the various impulses and thoughts as they emerge, and when it controls the imagination, man in his entirety remains pure in body and spirit. And when man is cleansed through watchfulness and spiritual work, his prayers have tremendous boldness before God: they pierce the sky, surpass the stars, penetrate the heavens, and approach the Divine Throne of Grace, where they receive God‘s blessings, thus allowing men to become rich in God‘s grace.

The Watchful Fathers tell us that one single thought can either raise us to Heaven or plunge us into Hell. “Through our thoughts we either improve or worsen.” If we are careless when a sinful thought assaults us, it will poison us, impart sinful pleasure to us, and subsequently, it can render us worthy of Hell. Conversely, one divine thought, one thought of self denial, one courageous thought to resist sin, a prayerful thought or spiritual contemplation renders us worthy of approaching the Divine Throne and tasting heavenly things. Depending on our thoughts, we will either become defiled or purified. Sin begins and originates from our thoughts.

Our thoughts spring forth from the five senses— both the spiritual and the physical senses. If we do not control our sense of vision, but allow our eyes to roam around carelessly, our inattentiveness will give rise to a series of impure and sinful images. Once these images enter the imagination, they subsequently begin to drip the poison of sinful pleasure into man’s heart. This sinful pleasure serves as a toxin that contaminates the heart, rendering it unclean and guilty before the sleepless eye of God.

It is similar with the other senses of touch, taste, hearing, and smell. Each of the five senses generate corresponding sinful images, which render man and unclean before God. This is what spiritual philosophy is predicated upon.

-Elder Ephraim of Arizona

The Art of Salvation

Watchfulness, Prayer and Confession