Question 360. Should the same thing be asked a second time about the same thing, or not? I know, my father, that I was told not to do a certain work, but I asked the same thing a second time, and received an answer to do it. What does that mean?

John's answer. Brother! The destiny of God is an abyss of many (Psalm 35:7). Depending on the heart of the inquirer, God puts (the word) into the mouth of the one who speaks to him, either to test him (the questioner), or because his heart has changed and he is vouchsafed to hear something else; or others who participate in the same work have changed, and God speaks differently in His holiness. Thus he spake through Isaiah and king Hezekiah; for after this he said to him, "Command thy house, for thou shalt die" (2 Kings 20:1), the king's heart changed, and he was grieved. Then God said to him through the same Isaiah: "Behold, God add to thy years fifty other years" (4 Kings 20:6). If He had said this through another, then there would have been a temptation that the saints (about the same thing) speak differently. And again, speaking according to the heart of the Ninevites through Jonah, He said: "In three days I will turn the city" (cf. Jonah 3:4). When their hearts were changed to repentance, God showed them his great long-suffering and spared the city because it had changed for the better (cf. Jonah 3:10). Therefore, no one should ever change the saint who is being questioned, but ask the same thing again. Perhaps it will be necessary for God to change the answer for some reason, and this is done through the same saint, so that otherwise there will be no temptation.

Question 361 of the same. Vladyka! I had to deal with a certain man and was forced to go with him to the governor. Beforehand I asked the fathers for advice on this. They told me what I should do when I went there; and I have done, as it seems to me, according to my strength, everything not to violate what they said. Noticing that in fact it did not come true according to their answer, I was very sad and did not know what to do. Break the advice? "But I was afraid of disobedience. To continue to hold on to it? I did not see in practice an execution that agreed with the answer. What does this mean, my father? And what should I have done, or what should I think, when I fell into such perplexity and need? Or was there some error on my part, and I did not know it?

John's answer. The answer to this is similar to the first, and in what way – listen. You were told about the matter of doing it so-and-so, but you met with the opposite. First of all, you must reproach yourself for not delighting your heart in this work, so that you have not left everything to God. For this reason God did not allow the deed to be fulfilled according to the advice of the fathers. The reason was in yourself, and you attribute it to their answer. Thus Elisha sent his disciple to resurrect the dead, but he did not rise (see 2 Kings 4:29-31). The reason for this was not in the one who sent, but in the one who was sent: otherwise how would Elisha himself have resurrected him afterwards (see 2 Kings 4:35-36). Therefore, you must strive to fulfill the advice of your fathers to the best of your ability, so that the matter may be in accordance with it; but if the contrary happens, understand that there has been a change in one of the parts, and therefore God has changed the fulfillment of the answer. Let me illustrate this by an example: suppose that someone owes you ten denarii; not being able to give everything, you asked the Elder: "How much should I demand from him?" The elder was informed (from above) to tell you so, that is, not to forgive him, for the debtor was hard-hearted; but when he heard that he would be summoned to court for this debt, he repented and prayed to God, saying: "Master! I am not in a position to give all ten denarii, to tell the governor not to force me to give everything in full, and I will try to please You for the rest of my life." And the gracious God changes the judgment, but you do not know it. So, since in such a case there is no one near you personally from whom you asked for advice, then, naming the same Elder, pray thus: "God of so-and-so! Do not allow me to deviate from Thy will and from the counsel of Thy servant, but tell me what to do." And what God shall declare unto thee, do it, believing that He hath spoken unto thee before through His saint, and hath instructed thee, and know that there must have been some change, wherefore God hath changed the fulfillment of the answer.

Question 362. My Lord! How many times must one pray in order for the thought to be informed [96] of this.

John's answer. When you cannot ask this Elder, then you must pray three times about every matter, and after that you should look where your heart inclines, even if it is a hair's breadth, and do so; for the announcement is noticeable and in every way understandable to the heart.

Question 363 of the same. How should one pray three times in these days, at different times or immediately? For it happens that it is impossible to postpone this matter.

John's answer. If you have free time, pray three times in three days; but if there is an extreme need, when it is difficult, as during the betrayal of the Saviour, then take as an example that He departed three times to pray and, praying three times, pronounced the same words (cf. Matt. 26:44), although He was apparently not heard; for this providence had to be accomplished; [97] but by His example He teaches us not to grieve when we pray and are not heard at the same time, for He knows better than we do what is good for us. But in any case, let us not leave thanksgiving.

Question 364 of the same. If even after prayer I do not receive a message soon, then what should I do? And when this happens through my own fault, but is hidden from me, from what can I understand this?

Answer. If after the third prayer you do not receive a message, then know that you yourself are guilty of this; and if you do not know your sin, reproach yourself, and God will have mercy on you.

Question 365 of the same. How should he who inquires of the fathers act: must he do exactly all that he asks?

John's answer. Not everything, but only what is said to him as a commandment; for this is simple counsel according to God, and the other is a commandment. Advice is not a compulsive instruction, (but only) showing a person the right path of life; but the commandment contains a binding [98] force (for the one who receives it).

Question 366 of the same. You, my father, have told me the difference between the commandment and the counsel given by God. Tell me also their signs, by what they are recognized, and what is the power of both?

John's answer. If you yourself run to your spiritual father, asking him about something, not because you want to receive a commandment, but in order to hear from him only an answer according to God, and he will tell you what you should do, you must certainly fulfill this. When you do this and receive tribulation, do not be troubled, for it is for your own benefit. But if you do not wish to do it, then although you think that you do not violate the commandment, because you did not accept it as a commandment, nevertheless you want to despise what is useful and must condemn yourself for this: for you must believe that everything that proceeds from the mouth of the saints serves for the benefit of those who hear. The same is true when (the elder) himself says something to you, moved by a thought according to God, although you did not ask him anything at all: which happened once. Once one of the brethren wanted to go to the city, and another elder said to him on his own behalf (without being asked): "If you go there, you will fall into fornication." He did not listen, went and fell. And when you especially ask about some matter, wishing to receive a commandment, then you should bow and ask to be given it; and when he has received it, make a bow again, so that he who gave it may bless you, and say to him: "My father! In addition to what you have given me a commandment, bless me and pray that I will keep it." Know, then, brother, that he who gives the commandment does not give it simply, but helps it with prayer and prayer, so that you may be able to keep it. If, forgetting yourself, you do not bow down to him in order to receive a blessing, do not think that the commandment is abolished through this, for it is valid in this case as well; but you did not receive it as it should be, and not in order. And if you can, then do not be lazy to go make a bow and ask for a blessing; but if you cannot do this, then think that you have received the commandment with inattention.