My childhood was unpleasant, I responded immaturely for decades. As the years pass I am healed stronger. God gives me some lovely moments. I see your point, don't overdo it, cling to Christ instead. Thx
God bless you father. What you said about God confronting us and challenging us to change despite how painful or uncomfortable it may be struck true for me.
Father I love you so very much , thank you for ALL your videos in bringing us to such a deeper understanding and leading us to such a spiritual thirst and love for our precious savior and Holy Trinity your messages are divine and transforming 🙏🏻 How wonderful is our Orthodox Church
Goodness me. This was a lecture that can be turned over in one's hands, examined, walked around behind, taken apart, in tiny pieces, put back together, re-examined, again and again. It's like a steel architectural structure, or a titanium artwork - and at the same time it is made of words and expressions that are alive. I have probably said this once or twice before hereabouts: but this was(is) one of the most outstanding things available on-line today. It is a classic. And if many viewed it and heard the content, it would be world-changing. I don't know about 'self-changing' but it is like a rock you can grab hold of, and stand on. And seek to go back to time and time again.
Thank you Father. You are such a inspiration for me with your teachings. I've noticed when I'm anxious or need some guidance your videos help me tremendously. You've been a bright light in a dark world. God bless you.
I think different people can see words and phrases like self love differently. I think what you have talked about might be described as charitable self love vs narcissistic self love. Charitable self love might be like saying "I know at the end of the day I'm not perfect nor am I all that great, but I'm still a person and I won't think of myself anyway I would think it's wrong to think of another person."
Hronia Polla for your name day today Father from Australia. May St Spyridon continue to guide and strengthen you with your work and ‘youtube’ talks that are reaching out and helping many.
1 Saint John 4:20 If any man say: I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he seeth, how can he love God whom he seeth not?
May God put love, compassion, and kindness in our hearts for our fellow human beings every day of our lives. Thank you, father Spiridon and God bless you! ⛪💔
Great quote from Elder Ambrose of Optina! Can't love? "Do loving things anyway and God will see your struggle and your good intentions and will help" paraphrased
Thank you brother Spyridon for continuing to yield to the presence of the LORD so He can work in and through you, all praise and glory to our Lord and savior Christ Jesus for it was by His sacrifice that all things are made possible, may God continue to bless you brother Spyridon with His presence and peace, Glory be to our heavenly Father!!
Today is my late fathers birthday. I lost him a year and a half ago as he fell asleep in the Lord. Shortly afterwords I found your videos online and I am very grateful for it. ☦️
wow, one of the most truly meaningful explanations of God's will that l ever heard. Really put a better perspective on self love which absolutely made me rethink things. I'm truly thankful for what you said Father.
Came here at the right time. (Святый Боже! Святый Крепкий! Святый Бессмертный, помилуй нас! Вся Земля да хвалит Господа! Аминь!) = Holy God! Holy Strong! Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! May the whole earth praise the Lord! Amen!
Didn't catch u on time sweet brother but I hear u now. Yeeeees self lv is dangerous. Self lv does not let u lv others. Everything u said 101 percent. 👍
Everything on earth is good as long as you thankGod for all you have, be greatful for the little you have , some are blessed some arn't ,but without God they are nothing.
This materialistic world of ours is so spiritually empty! I notice this a lot around me how women dress up in the latest fashion and high heels but they have an attitude and mannerisms so far removed from God. Thank you father Spyridon for this comforting message. God Bless.
Everything is dangerous because the human heart is an idol-factory. Proper self-love is important. Missing the mark in this area leads to liberal self-hatred and careless disregard for people that you see as similar to yourself, while overemphasizing it leads to narcissism and selfish, calculating behaviour. There is a proper harmony to reach. Jesus is the balance of all things.
So many layers of reflection here. Where to begin unpacking.. >_> funny that the Samaritan was a foreigner able to take pity on the injured man. Perhaps that's why the pride of the priest and Levite made them strangers to their own kin, since pride is foreign to love. Makes you wonder how often we so rigidly adhere to the letter of the law thinking we are being obedient to God and yet fail to carry out his desires because of misguided notions in the application of it. =_= Me Culpa, Me maxima culpa!
Self like...is vital. Without it...your a puppet. Sef love is not naristic its a given. " love God with all your heart and and soul" That is you. You are Spirt. Never love other, things, places...more than you. You are love. Religions have distorted that. And we have suffered due to this misinformation.
I agree, self love is the modern idea of being selfish, attentive to one-self. What can someone give who is full of themselves and what can they receive if it comes from them even when they do not see and reject God. We say this to the crucified God, save yourself.
I actually think it needs to be more nuanced than that, there are two types of self love, one that is sinful, but there is another self love which is about being kind, healthy and as you say value, to recognise self worth, I think this is what can put many off Christianity this confusion, it’s not about pride it’s about following what God wants for us.
This is one of your best videos, Father. If I may be so bold, I would like to make a request for a video. It looks as if you have not made one on this topic yet: the fear of God. I've noticed that almost everyone who speaks on it these days downplays the phrase to just mean that we are afraid to upset God or be apart from Him. But if we only fear God in this way then we are saying that we have reached a state near to perfection. The Fathers associated the fear of God with the memory of the Judgement and the possibility of damnation. For example, in the state that I am in at the moment, the only reason why I do not sin most of the time is because of fear, not even of the judgement but of suffering in this life the consequences of my sin. It is a shame that this teaching is not taught properly because it is so crucial to the spiritual life. The way it is most often presented is more likely to lead to presumption than to the good fruit of humility that it is intended to produce. It's a tragedy because it is one of the best examples of the perfection of the wisdom of the Scriptures. The fear of God is truly the beginning of wisdom because, taken in the sense most relevant to most of us, it is simultaneously the least good and the least bad motivation. It is the least good because it is still selfish but it is the least bad because to avoid sin or act on this fear means we have at least taken our first step towards God. Only then can someone graduate to fearing God because they have genuinely come to love Him and fear losing His grace. Thank you for everything you do, Father. May God be with you and His Holy Mother protect you always
What about your actual father? you know the one who's loins you sprang forth from. Honor thy Mother and Father, See anyone can cherrypick for their own end.
Flattery can become so dangerous. Better to spend time with a person who is unversed in all etiquette when sometimes appearing altogether lacking in manners than choosing to spend time with people who are chameleon like while being so killed in manipulation through flattery. No man [or woman] is an island. A healthy balance in time spent with others and time alone alone during constant prayer is best for personal growth in love while accomplishing things that are pleasing to god.
Saint Mark 12:14-17 Who coming, say to him: Master, we know thou art a true speaker and carest not for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar? Or shall we not give it? Who knowing their willingness, saith to them: Why tempt you me? Bring me a penny that I may see it. And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Who is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar’s.
To a degree that we love ourselves is needed. If we hate ourselves how can we love others as ourselves? Some who never had love may not be able to love others. Often people who were abused abuse others as they may know any better. Many may not feel the love of God or feel unworthy of his love. Some are hard on themselves resulting in being hard on others. Only GOD knows each individual person and their circumstances.
No. You will never know how to love yourself and it's not important anyways. Let God love you first and foremost, it's greater than what you can muster
One say seeing the ditch all got a reason knowing the law and leaves the neighbor to God but forgets as a good judge to verify the truth of the reason and sentences the neighbor to self preservation. Two reflections are required one of God in Heaven and one of the universal self of every body in life. The image of God must have been one of punishment and reward in the reflections on the mortal sin while Jesus preached a Merciful God with the promise of eternal life. The world knows many reflections on the truth of reality but is still missing a unchangeable image of God and it is her biggest weakness, even her pain.
I guess I am still struggling to understand what the self is. If we deny ourselves to follow Christ, does that mean the self dissolves in Christ and we no longer have a self? Or do we become ourselves, find ourselves in Christ. I don’t if I am being clear. Is to have a self a bad thing no matter what? When Christ commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, is that the same self He asks us to deny and follow Him? And if there is no self, who in us is praying to Christ? Father, please, if you would, is there any reading you can direct me to that can help me understand this? Is this about the old man and the new man?
The Apocalypse 6:5-6 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: Come and see. And behold a black horse. And he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard, as it were a voice in the midst four living creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat of for a penny, and thrice two pounds of barley for a penny: and see thou hurt not the wine and the oil.
I never saw self love as pleasuring the flesh. I look at 1 Corinthians 13 as the model. Why is it when, as believers, we hear of love for others and God is love, yet when it comes to our own selves it is selfish and sinful? Deny oneself of sin is love. Denying that sinful nature is love for God, others, and our own person, our soul. Why is there the twisting of definitions? I hear this same message in the Protestant denominations as well.
@SWAG Poutine Yes and no. When we look closer at Scriptures concerning love, we can take 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 22:37-39. We can get a deeper understanding of this topic and how God is love. There is another issue though. The term, self-love appears to be conflated with selfishness. In the world sense, possibly, at least from the Christian perspective. When I say love, I mean in the biblical sense that which is of God. As someone who has had to relearn life skills as well as an abuse survivor, I have had to learn to trust God, even including this area. As far as your fasting scenario, it is interesting, yet people fast for different reasons. Maybe your scenario ends up were God is wanting to teach the person to except what he is given by God?
Do God want us to be happy ? Did Jesus feed and heal ? Did He support wedding joy ? I think that Gospel says: Do not sin, do love and be happy here and after in Heaven ( despite suffering which has to be present as well ). What more, you can not truly love your brother if you do not love yourself: "The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. " .. So not more than yourself but as yourself.
My childhood was unpleasant, I responded immaturely for decades. As the years pass I am healed stronger. God gives me some lovely moments. I see your point, don't overdo it, cling to Christ instead. Thx
Beautiful as always Father, thank you for everything!
ΧΡΌΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΆ,Fr Spyridon.God bless you.Thank you for all your beautiful videos.Love from Greece.
God bless you father. What you said about God confronting us and challenging us to change despite how painful or uncomfortable it may be struck true for me.
Father I love you so very much , thank you for ALL your videos in bringing us to such a deeper understanding and leading us to such a spiritual thirst and love for our precious savior and Holy Trinity your messages are divine and transforming 🙏🏻 How wonderful is our Orthodox Church
Thank you, Father Spyridon, for this valuable lesson. God bless you.
Goodness me. This was a lecture that can be turned over in one's hands, examined, walked around behind, taken apart, in tiny pieces, put back together, re-examined, again and again. It's like a steel architectural structure, or a titanium artwork - and at the same time it is made of words and expressions that are alive. I have probably said this once or twice before hereabouts: but this was(is) one of the most outstanding things available on-line today. It is a classic. And if many viewed it and heard the content, it would be world-changing. I don't know about 'self-changing' but it is like a rock you can grab hold of, and stand on. And seek to go back to time and time again.
Thank you Father. You are such a inspiration for me with your teachings. I've noticed when I'm anxious or need some guidance your videos help me tremendously. You've been a bright light in a dark world. God bless you.
I think different people can see words and phrases like self love differently. I think what you have talked about might be described as charitable self love vs narcissistic self love. Charitable self love might be like saying "I know at the end of the day I'm not perfect nor am I all that great, but I'm still a person and I won't think of myself anyway I would think it's wrong to think of another person."
This was a incredible sermon ty for being God's voice too us.
Plz father keep me in your prayers always. My name is sangbaptist. You are a UA-cam spiritual father to many. May God bless your heart.
I saved this so I could listen to it again and again. This message is so true. It tells me my thinking is on track. God bless this man.
I find so much solace in your words Father.
And I am speaking as a Catholic friend.
Amin
Hronia Polla for your name day today Father from Australia. May St Spyridon continue to guide and strengthen you with your work and ‘youtube’ talks that are reaching out and helping many.
Father Spyridon
My Son Andronikos hears your wonderful theology . May our Almight Heavenly Father bless you a million times for all you do.Amen
Thank you father again perfect advice. Write a new book please
1 Saint John 4:20
If any man say: I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he seeth, how can he love God whom he seeth not?
May God put love, compassion, and kindness in our hearts for our fellow human beings every day of our lives. Thank you, father Spiridon and God bless you! ⛪💔
Great quote from Elder Ambrose of Optina! Can't love? "Do loving things anyway and God will see your struggle and your good intentions and will help" paraphrased
Thank you
May Christ and Saint Spyridon wth his mediation give you a long lasting and blessed ministry father Spyridon. Always a joy watching your videos.
Thank you brother Spyridon for continuing to yield to the presence of the LORD so He can work in and through you, all praise and glory to our Lord and savior Christ Jesus for it was by His sacrifice that all things are made possible, may God continue to bless you brother Spyridon with His presence and peace, Glory be to our heavenly Father!!
Happy Name Day! Many many many years!
Today is my late fathers birthday. I lost him a year and a half ago as he fell asleep in the Lord. Shortly afterwords I found your videos online and I am very grateful for it. ☦️
Walking in the woods in Thailand your words always touch my heart God bless you father
Thank you Father Spyridon for your continued good work here-your teachings of God's ways have made a difference.
wow, one of the most truly meaningful explanations of God's will that l ever heard. Really put a better perspective on self love which absolutely made me rethink things. I'm truly thankful for what you said Father.
Father you very well could have changed the way I think. Thank you. Excellent authority
Thank you for sharing that father. I needed to hear your message today.
2:56
Father you should write a book on topics like this with your homilies like these
Very useful
Wonderful articulation of difficult to fully comprehend issues and concerns. May Almighty God continue to bless and keep you Fr.
Came here at the right time. (Святый Боже! Святый Крепкий! Святый Бессмертный, помилуй нас! Вся Земля да хвалит Господа! Аминь!) = Holy God! Holy Strong! Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! May the whole earth praise the Lord! Amen!
I agree, self love is a new age deception
"To love God, is to be willing to change."
Thank you father Spyridon
Didn't catch u on time sweet brother but I hear u now. Yeeeees self lv is dangerous. Self lv does not let u lv others. Everything u said 101 percent. 👍
Amen!
Thank you!!! Really from my heart thank you for the loving guidance.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Everything on earth is good as long as you thankGod for all you have, be greatful for the little you have , some are blessed some arn't ,but without God they are nothing.
What's crazy is that I don't love myself like that is that bad
Praise God! Thank you!
Lord Jesus Christ , Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Thank you for your words Father.
This materialistic world of ours is so spiritually empty! I notice this a lot around me how women dress up in the latest fashion and high heels but they have an attitude and mannerisms so far removed from God. Thank you father Spyridon for this comforting message. God Bless.
Happy Name day
Self love can lead to narcissism. We live in a narcissistic age now 😢
Everything is dangerous because the human heart is an idol-factory.
Proper self-love is important.
Missing the mark in this area leads to liberal self-hatred and careless disregard for people that you see as similar to yourself, while overemphasizing it leads to narcissism and selfish, calculating behaviour. There is a proper harmony to reach. Jesus is the balance of all things.
@Pferd Schild Then enlighten us.
@@MrChaosAdam he may have forgotten the Q.E.D. lol
This reigns true for me
Xronia Polla, Father! May Saint Spyridon bring you God’s Blessing this day and for all time.
Thank you for your guidance Father Spyridon, and may God bless you.
Lord Jesus Christ , Son of God , have mercy on me , a sinner.
Thank you for your words Father.
Thank you Fth for your kind words may God bless you Amen our love from Australia
I plead guilty. Thank you so much for the reminder.
Lord have mercy.
So many layers of reflection here. Where to begin unpacking.. >_> funny that the Samaritan was a foreigner able to take pity on the injured man. Perhaps that's why the pride of the priest and Levite made them strangers to their own kin, since pride is foreign to love. Makes you wonder how often we so rigidly adhere to the letter of the law thinking we are being obedient to God and yet fail to carry out his desires because of misguided notions in the application of it. =_= Me Culpa, Me maxima culpa!
I can feel your passion, would appreciate your advice and opinion on my channels, blessings :)
Thank you very much!Спаси Господи!
Thank you! Very much Father. This teaching really helped me . Please pray for me. Greg in Ohio.
Святый Боже! Святый Крепкий! Святый Бессмертный, помилуй нас! Вся Земля да хвалит Господа! Аминь!
Аминь
Amen
I thank God for your Ministry, Father Spyridon
God bless you.
Thank you for all your videos
It's hard to have self-love in isolation.
Self like...is vital. Without it...your a puppet. Sef love is not naristic its a given. " love God with all your heart and and soul" That is you. You are Spirt. Never love other, things, places...more than you. You are love. Religions have distorted that. And we have suffered due to this misinformation.
I agree, self love is the modern idea of being selfish, attentive to one-self. What can someone give who is full of themselves and what can they receive if it comes from them even when they do not see and reject God. We say this to the crucified God, save yourself.
Thank you father
Such great insight!
You are wonderful Father Spyridon
I’d love to visit you. A week with you would be a lifetime of wisdom.
Love your enemies , pray for those who persecute you.
Lord Jesus Christ , Son of God , have mercy on me , a sinner.
I actually think it needs to be more nuanced than that, there are two types of self love, one that is sinful, but there is another self love which is about being kind, healthy and as you say value, to recognise self worth, I think this is what can put many off Christianity this confusion, it’s not about pride it’s about following what God wants for us.
I guess St.Paus said about that that "nobody harms their own flesh" in one of his letters
Thank you friend 👍🏻
To what extent should be try to help our friends and loved ones to come on to this path?
This is one of your best videos, Father. If I may be so bold, I would like to make a request for a video. It looks as if you have not made one on this topic yet: the fear of God.
I've noticed that almost everyone who speaks on it these days downplays the phrase to just mean that we are afraid to upset God or be apart from Him. But if we only fear God in this way then we are saying that we have reached a state near to perfection. The Fathers associated the fear of God with the memory of the Judgement and the possibility of damnation. For example, in the state that I am in at the moment, the only reason why I do not sin most of the time is because of fear, not even of the judgement but of suffering in this life the consequences of my sin.
It is a shame that this teaching is not taught properly because it is so crucial to the spiritual life. The way it is most often presented is more likely to lead to presumption than to the good fruit of humility that it is intended to produce. It's a tragedy because it is one of the best examples of the perfection of the wisdom of the Scriptures. The fear of God is truly the beginning of wisdom because, taken in the sense most relevant to most of us, it is simultaneously the least good and the least bad motivation. It is the least good because it is still selfish but it is the least bad because to avoid sin or act on this fear means we have at least taken our first step towards God. Only then can someone graduate to fearing God because they have genuinely come to love Him and fear losing His grace.
Thank you for everything you do, Father.
May God be with you and His Holy Mother protect you always
Thank you for sharing this Upload, in Jesus name !
Father Spyridon Eternal Years.
Trust in me also trust in God:jesus
Outstanding.
Great words.
Thank You Father.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, Amen
God resides in the body, so you must take care of your body. This will also show from the outside, and can be used to praise and glorify God.
Mathew 23.9-And you must not call anyone here on earth 'Father,' because you have only the one Father in heaven.
For your attention: ua-cam.com/video/N3w0gjTDkco/v-deo.html
What about your actual father? you know the one who's loins you sprang forth from. Honor thy Mother and Father, See anyone can cherrypick for their own end.
Ego meaning (edging God out)
Срдачно благодаримо, оче Спиридоне!!
Good video
💯💯💯👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you!
❤
Hronia Polla, dear Father. 🙏🏻
Flattery can become so dangerous. Better to spend time with a person who is unversed in all etiquette when sometimes appearing altogether lacking in manners than choosing to spend time with people who are chameleon like while being so killed in manipulation through flattery. No man [or woman] is an island. A healthy balance in time spent with others and time alone alone during constant prayer is best for personal growth in love while accomplishing things that are pleasing to god.
Christ love
Saint Mark 12:14-17
Who coming, say to him: Master, we know thou art a true speaker and carest
not for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar? Or shall we not give it?
Who knowing their willingness, saith to them: Why tempt you me? Bring me a penny that I may see it.
And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Who is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar’s.
thank you🙏🙏🙏💘
interaction would be nice
To a degree that we love ourselves is needed. If we hate ourselves how can we love others as ourselves? Some who never had love may not be able to love others. Often people who were abused abuse others as they may know any better. Many may not feel the love of God or feel unworthy of his love. Some are hard on themselves resulting in being hard on others. Only GOD knows each individual person and their circumstances.
Please pray for me.
Self-love is not selfish; you cannot truly love another until you know how to love yourself
No. You will never know how to love yourself and it's not important anyways. Let God love you first and foremost, it's greater than what you can muster
@@sonicsoftly I get this and believe this, but I don’t understand how there can be a you for God to love without a self.
One say seeing the ditch all got a reason knowing the law and leaves the neighbor to God but forgets as a good judge to verify the truth of the reason and sentences the neighbor to self preservation. Two reflections are required one of God in Heaven and one of the universal self of every body in life. The image of God must have been one of punishment and reward in the reflections on the mortal sin while Jesus preached a Merciful God with the promise of eternal life. The world knows many reflections on the truth of reality but is still missing a unchangeable image of God and it is her biggest weakness, even her pain.
I guess I am still struggling to understand what the self is. If we deny ourselves to follow Christ, does that mean the self dissolves in Christ and we no longer have a self? Or do we become ourselves, find ourselves in Christ. I don’t if I am being clear. Is to have a self a bad thing no matter what? When Christ commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, is that the same self He asks us to deny and follow Him? And if there is no self, who in us is praying to Christ? Father, please, if you would, is there any reading you can direct me to that can help me understand this? Is this about the old man and the new man?
🌱 S p a s i b o . 🌾
Thanks
sang ngabou I’ve been praying for you, sang, since you asked a while ago. Hope you are well!
Lorric Logging thank you so much I am very pleased to hear that. God bless..
The Apocalypse 6:5-6
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: Come and see. And behold a black horse. And he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand.
And I heard, as it were a voice in the midst four living creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat of for a penny, and thrice two pounds of barley for a penny: and see thou hurt not the wine and the oil.
I never saw self love as pleasuring the flesh. I look at 1 Corinthians 13 as the model. Why is it when, as believers, we hear of love for others and God is love, yet when it comes to our own selves it is selfish and sinful? Deny oneself of sin is love. Denying that sinful nature is love for God, others, and our own person, our soul. Why is there the twisting of definitions? I hear this same message in the Protestant denominations as well.
@SWAG Poutine Yes and no. When we look closer at Scriptures concerning love, we can take 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 22:37-39. We can get a deeper understanding of this topic and how God is love.
There is another issue though. The term, self-love appears to be conflated with selfishness. In the world sense, possibly, at least from the Christian perspective.
When I say love, I mean in the biblical sense that which is of God.
As someone who has had to relearn life skills as well as an abuse survivor, I have had to learn to trust God, even including this area.
As far as your fasting scenario, it is interesting, yet people fast for different reasons. Maybe your scenario ends up were God is wanting to teach the person to except what he is given by God?
Do God want us to be happy ? Did Jesus feed and heal ? Did He support wedding joy ? I think that Gospel says: Do not sin, do love and be happy here and after in Heaven ( despite suffering which has to be present as well ). What more, you can not truly love your brother if you do not love yourself: "The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. " .. So not more than yourself but as yourself.