DO WE HAVE TO CONFESS EVERY SINFUL THOUGHT THAT GOES THROUGH OUR HEAD: Elder Joseph Vatopedski says it can be a trap and offers a solution
One simple moment and an ordinary word can show that long prayers are not enough by themselves, and can even lead a person to sin.
TL;DR
- Confession is not about confessing every sinful thought that appears in the mind.
- Demons plant sinful thoughts, but we only sin when we consent to them or put them into practice.
- The spiritual state of a person determines whether consenting to sinful thoughts is a sin.
- For beginners, merely having sinful thoughts might not be sinful, especially if they are actively fighting them through prayer.
- Trying to confess every single thought is not beneficial, can burden the confessor, and is considered a psychological illness, not spiritual vigilance.
- Spiritual vigilance and the proper approach to thoughts are crucial for progress in Orthodox life.
- Confession serves as a tool for liberation and spiritual strengthening, not a burden of listing thoughts.
- The inner struggle in Orthodoxy is about actions that lead to prayer, peace, and an uplifted spirit, not just counting sins.