Quotes of the Day for April 22, 2026 – Thoughts on self-deception and overcoming it
- 3 days ago
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Updated: 15 hours ago
“Self-deception can be defined as a false belief concerning oneself. It is a repercussion from the wound of rejection. When we think we are right for long enough, but are actually wrong, no one can tell us differently. Because of this, self-deception is a trap. It is extremely difficult for one to extricate himself from deception of any kind, especially when it is being directed from within.” (Frank Hammond)
“We ought, however, to be aware that to live in self-deception is spiritually very dangerous. The ascetic tradition of the Church has the concept of prelest—spiritual self-deception…Prelest is the state of fantasizing about our spiritual condition and not being able to see the truth of our own sinfulness…It’s the state in which a man begins to believe his own ideas about his holiness, his wisdom, his exceptional character, or his spiritual advancement. Outwardly he may seem pious; in reality he’s drifting away from the truth. The danger is that self-deception closes a man’s spiritual eyes. One who thinks he already sees clearly ceases to seek the light. The Holy Fathers say that the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth isn’t weakness, but pride disguised as piety. A man in prelest no longer admits that he can be mistaken. He doesn’t listen to the counsel of others, he doesn’t see his own sins, and he gradually separates himself from humility, from unity, and from love—without which genuine spiritual life is impossible.” (Metropolitan Rastislav, Father Spyridon Baily)
“This noetic knowledge, or experience, of God, is profound, and in many ways self-authenticating, like St. Paul’s on the road to Damascus; yet it still needs…to be confirmed…by the Church community as a whole. It has to be determined whether or not one’s experience is in alignment with Scripture and Tradition in order to be assured that it is not just a subjective impression, or a product of fantasy, or some other kind of deception—for the possibility of self-deception in this area is high… In fact, without the proper rational understanding of the experience, it is possible to misinterpret it. Realizing this, St. Paul went to James, the first bishop of Jerusalem, and the apostle Peter, to confirm that his understanding of his experience of Christ on the road to Damascus was correct. So he gives us a great example of not relying solely on our own interpretation even of such a dramatic personal experience.” (Dr. Mary S. Ford)
“And only someone who is humble will endure the Last Judgment, which is the truth about us, without any embellishments, distortion or depreciation. Any repentance teaches us to stand before this truth. Repentance is entering slowly, as if sidling into this ocean of light. And if you just barge in there immediately, you may not be able to bear the truth about yourself and damage your soul, lose your mind, or fall into despair when you suddenly realize how terrible you really are in the eyes of God.” (Priest Konstantin Korepanov)
“The way out of self-deception is simple—yet for those who suffer from it, it’s enormously difficult. It’s the willingness to see the truth about yourself. This alone can roll away the stone from the tomb of the conviction of your own perfection, and lead you onto the safe path of humility and of real spiritual life. For God leads not those who think they are perfect, but those who recognize their weakness and their need of His help. This is precisely why real faith is so important—real faith, and not its imitations or counterfeits. Thomas urges us to have the spiritual courage of coming to Christ just as we are. God expects our questions and isn’t afraid of our doubts. But He wants us to seek Him sincerely. Then the same thing can happen to us as happened to Thomas—doubt will be transformed into faith and confession.” (Metropolitan Rastislav)
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