Saints Barsanuphius and John. "Guidance Toward Spiritual Life."
Letter 414.
Question: "If a sinner should acquire certain visions, should that person not believe at all that these are from God?"
Response: When this happens to a sinner,
it is clear that it has from the demons, in order to deceive the
wretched soul of that person into destruction. Therefore, one should
never believe in these, but one should rather cоmе to know one's own
sins and weaknesses, in order always to lead a life in fear and
trembling.
Letter 415.
Question: "So should one also turn away from these visions, even when they appear in the Form of the Master Christ?"
Response: It is especially then that we
should turn away from and anathematize their wickedness and deceit even
more so. Brother, never be deceived, therefore, by such demonic
assurance. For divine visions certainly occur to the saints, but they
are always preceded by calm, peace, and joy in their hearts. Indeed, the
saints are always aware of the truth and regard themselves as being
unworthy [of such visions]. How much more, then, should sinners never
believe these visions, when they are aware of their own unworthiness?
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