6.11

Therefore, my children, I want you to know that from the creation of the world until now, all who have remained outside virtue and completed their wickedness know that they are reckoned among the children of the devil, and for this reason they try to impose their own will upon each one of us.

For the devil knows that he was cast down from heaven through pride and vainglory. Therefore he attacks those who have advanced to a great measure, being especially skillful through pride and vainglory at setting them against one another, because he knows that by these things he separates us from God. And because they know that whoever loves his neighbor loves God, the enemies of virtue sow the fuel of pretense in our hearts so that we may possess great enmity against one another and not even speak to our neighbor from a distance.

Truly, my children, I want you to know this as well: there are many who have endured a very great struggle in a most holy way of life, but lack of discernment killed them. Truly, my children, it is not so much a wonder if you neglect yourselves as it is that, failing to discern your own work, you should fall into the measure of the devil while thinking that you have already drawn near to God, and, while expecting a powerful light, be overtaken by darkness.

For why was it necessary at all for Jesus to gird Himself with a towel, set down a basin, and wash the feet of those beneath Him? He made this an example, pointing those who would return toward their own heavenly beginning back to that first beginning; for the beginning of the movement was pride, which came first. Therefore, unless after all this you humble yourself greatly in your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole spirit, and your whole body, you will not be able to inherit the kingdom of God.