Directing Human Energies

This lecture focuses on the concept of directing the inner energies of the human being, explaining that most traits or energies that may appear negative are not evil in themselves. Their goodness or evil depends on how they are directed and the purpose for which they are used.

Main Idea

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that God created human beings with energy, talent, and strength, and all these can become tools for good or evil depending on their spiritual direction.

🕊️ Spiritual and Educational Dimensions

• Stubbornness is not a sin in itself, but when spiritually directed, it becomes steadfastness in faith and adherence to true doctrine, as seen in the lives of martyrs and saints.
• Anger is an inner energy; when used against sin and the self, it becomes holy zeal, but when directed against others through wrong means, it becomes sin.
• Ambition is necessary for growth, but it becomes holy when aimed toward spiritual perfection and honorable success, not toward personal competition or worldly glory.
• Strength is required in the believer’s life—an inner spiritual strength to resist sin, not a strength of pride, arrogance, or harming others.
• Self-love is not wrong; rather, selfishness is the error. True self-love seeks the salvation, sanctification, and discipline of the soul.
• Talents, arts, and beauty are divine gifts. The mistake is not in them but in the deviation of their use; they can be directed to serve the Church and build the human person spiritually.
• His Holiness explains that proper upbringing is based on directing energies, not suppressing them, whether in children, youth, or servants.
• The conclusion is that spiritual wisdom lies in discerning both the goal and the means, so that both are holy.

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