Chapter 11: That it is dangerous for a believer to break even one commandment, for the fulfillment of all others depends on it; and that even a minor evil brings great harm

1. From the Life of St. Pachomius

Pachomius the Great said to his disciples: "Imagine, brothers, that there are a hundred rooms in a house, but if someone buys the main hall, the owner will not be able to enter any of the rooms. In the same way, a believer, if he possesses all the fruits of the Spirit, but through negligence and malice of the enemy loses at least one, exchanging virtue for deceit, he will become weak, for he will voluntarily lose all his possessions."

2. If a man does not awaken his own soul with sobriety, and does not strengthen himself against even the weakest attacks of the enemy, he will destroy all his virtue. If the army is advancing on the enemy, but there is a gap in their formation, then the enemy will break through it to the rear, and it will be difficult to dislodge him from there, and the entire army will most likely die. Therefore, each of us must strengthen himself with all the virtues. For no small loss occurs when even the most insignificant virtue is neglected.

2. From Otechnik

The brother asked Abba Pimen:

— Can a person rely on any one of his deeds?

The elder answered:

Abba John Kolov said: "I would like a person to adopt a little of all the virtues, and not always adhere to only one."

3. From St. Isaiah

Brothers! We should all practice the virtues to the best of our ability. Small people - to the extent of their weak strength, and big people - to the extent of their great capabilities. Those who contributed to the treasury were rich. But the Lord rejoiced most of all at the poor widow's two mites. For He looks at our intentions and judges our actions by them. Woe to the soul that does not want to flee from sins, for it will be beset by sorrows from envious and haters.

2. In Egypt the Israelites ate and drank to their heart's content, but they were slaves of Pharaoh. When the Lord sent them a helper, that is, Moses, to lead them out of Egyptian captivity, Pharaoh began to oppress and oppress them. It was not Moses' vengeance, no matter how many plagues God sent upon Egypt and Pharaoh, and he did not rejoice in the grief of the Egyptians, until the time came and God said to Moses, "I will bring another plague upon Pharaoh..." And then you will tell Pharaoh to set my people free, otherwise every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die... (Cf. Ex 11:1-5). Only then did Moses raise his head. Then God gave advice to Moses: Impress upon the people (secretly) that every man of his neighbor... he begged for things of silver and things of gold [and garments] (Exodus 11:2). These things (later) made it possible to cover the cost of building the tabernacle.

3. The Elders explain that things and clothes are feelings that are enslaved to enmity. Only when a person completely frees them from enmity and forces them to bear fruit to God, then God's protection will overshadow him. For there was no cloud while the construction was going on, but as soon as it was finished, the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting (Ex 40:34). The same thing happened when the temple was being built. While the work was going on, the cloud did not appear, but when the temple was completely finished, and the blood and fat of burnt offerings were sacrificed in it, and it was a pleasant fragrance to God, then the cloud filled the house of the Lord (1 Kings 8:10-11). These examples show that until a person loves God with all his strength and all his mind, and does not cleave to Him with all his heart, God's protection will not overshadow him.