THEOSISGregory the Great
You will lie down, and no one will alarm you Job 11:19. Anyone who truly seeks honor is often burdened by the fear of ridicule. Those who have attained recognition are naturally apprehensive about losing it. For the attainment of something serves as a remedy for them, while the loss becomes a source of pain, and as long as they are tethered to fleeting possessions, which are destined to fade eventually, they remain in lowliness, far from the refuge of security. Conversely, the one who is anchored in the pursuit of eternity, not being swayed by fortunate happenstance, is untroubled by adverse circumstances; for devoid of worldly desires, there is also nothing they fear in this life.
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Thus, it is proclaimed by Solomon, A righteous person will not be troubled by anything that happens Proverbs 12:21. He also asserts, The righteous are as bold as lions, unafraid Proverbs 28:1. Hence, it is rightly expressed, You will lie down, and there will be no one to frighten you; as one sheds the fear of worldly matters, they more completely triumph over worldly cravings. Did not Paul rest in peace with a heart unafraid when he proclaimed, For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor powers, nor present nor future things, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom 8:38-39. The strength of this love is celebrated by the true voice of the Holy Church; as revealed in the Song of Songs, for love is as mighty as death Song 8:6. Love is likened to the force of death because it consumes the soul it enfolds, rendering it completely impervious to the allurements of the world, increasing its might in proportion to its detachment from worldly fears. However, one must recognize that when the wicked speak truths, it is challenging for them to refrain from disclosing their true intentions through their excesses. Thus, Sofar promptly adds, Indeed many will flatter you Job 11:19. A righteous individual would not abandon the narrow path of virtue, even when prompted; such would be the heretics or depraved individuals who feign innocence among others while secretly yearning for favorable pleas. When they share sacred truths, they promise what they covet for themselves as if it were a noble gift to others; yet, while discussing heavenly matters, they quickly revert to pledges surrounding their earthly inclinations. To avoid revealing their true nature, they often return to expressions of integrity. Consequently, he quickly continued: