Let a Man Consider
Let us be mindful of our actions and thoughts, knowing that God sees all and judges us accordingly.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of recognizing that God sees and knows everything we do, with our actions constantly visible to Him and reported by angels. The Prophet's words in Psalms highlight God as the Searcher of minds and hearts, knowing our thoughts from afar and that our thoughts will confess to Him. St. Benedict urges believers to be mindful of their wrongful thoughts, striving to keep themselves from iniquity to be spotless before God.
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Let a man consider
that God is always looking at him from heaven,
that his actions are everywhere visible to the divine eyes
and are constantly being reported to God by the Angels.
This is what the Prophet shows us
when he represents God as ever present within our thoughts,
in the words "Searcher of minds and hearts is God" (Ps. 7:10)
and again in the words "The Lord knows the thoughts of men" (Ps. 93[94]:11).
Again he says,
"You have read my thoughts from afar" (Ps. 13[14]9:3)
and "The thoughts of people will confess to You" (Ps. 75[76]:11).
In order that he may be careful
about his wrongful thoughts, therefore,
let the faithful brother say constantly in his heart,
"Then shall I be spotless before Him,
if I have kept myself from my iniquity" (Ps. 17[18]:24).
Sermon Outline
- God's Omniscience
- Scriptural Evidence
- Personal Reflection
- Be mindful of wrongful thoughts
- Keep oneself from iniquity
Key Quotes
“Searcher of minds and hearts is God” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“The Lord knows the thoughts of men” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Then shall I be spotless before Him, if I have kept myself from my iniquity” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Be mindful of your thoughts and actions, knowing that God sees all.
- Make a conscious effort to live a righteous life, keeping yourself from iniquity.
- Reflect on your actions and thoughts, seeking to be spotless before God.