Reflect and recognize that all things originate from God. The world is not separate from God, as it was created through Him; however, even though God initiated the world, the actions within it are corrupt, for the world is enveloped in wickedness; the order of creation stems from God, but the deeds within it arise from the evil one. Similarly, while God establishes governance, the misuse of that governance is rooted in malignity. For no authority exists that is not of God; the authorities that are present are ordained by God—not merely given, but set in place—and opposing these powers is to stand against God's decree. So here too, although the devil claims to grant authority, he does not deny that it has been permitted to him for a season. The One who has instituted power has allowed him this temporal reign. It is not the power itself that is malign; rather, it is the misuse of that power for malevolent ends. Do you wish to remain unafraid of authority? Practice righteousness, and it will commend you. Hence, evil does not originate from authority, but from the thirst for power. God has established power, and those who wield it for good become His appointed servants, tasked for your benefit. Therefore, the flaw does not lie in the role itself, but in the person who occupies it; the divine order cannot be deemed faulty, only the actions of the individual holding office.
Let us transition from the heavenly to the earthly realm. The emperor, in appointing a person to the esteemed position of judge, deserves commendation. If that judge misuses his office, the fault lies not with the emperor but with the appointed judge. Every crime has its own perpetrator; thus, it is not the authority but the individual's moral failing that propels one toward wrongdoing. Is it advisable to seek authority and aspire to honor? It is good if such a calling is bestowed upon you, yet it is misguided to pursue it independently. However, there exists another form of goodness. One is the service rendered in the world, while another is the pursuit of virtue and the quest for knowledge of God, unburdened by worldly distractions. Though various blessings abound, only one leads to eternal life. And this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Therefore, the ultimate reward is eternal life, and God alone is its source. Let us turn to our Lord and God, serving Him exclusively, that He alone may grant us the most abundant harvest! Let us eschew all that lies under the control of the devil, lest he, as a malevolent overlord, wield his cruel power against those under his dominion.
Thus, authority is not derived from the devil, though it is susceptible to his cunning. The established order of authority is not inherently flawed; rather, it is admirable to pursue God, though that pursuit carries the risk of misunderstanding and error. Should a seeker falter into blasphemy due to misinterpretation, it may be better for him not to have sought than to have fallen into sacrilege. Yet the fault does not lie within the seeker himself; it arises from the heart that seeks poorly, and the fault resides not in the search itself, but in the spiritual condition of humanity. If a seeker of God struggles with temptation due to human frailty and limited understanding, how much more vulnerable is one who seeks worldly gains! Perhaps even more perilous is ambition; it entices individuals toward power through craftiness and flattery, often leading those who may not delight in vices to abandon their moral compass. Ambition falsely brings outward acclaim while internally ravaging the soul, and to ascend above others, it often leads one into subjugation. It willingly bends to attain an honorable position and, in the desire to elevate itself, it degrades because it strays from the nobility inherent in true authority; commanding laws, it ultimately binds itself.
One might argue that only a rogue feels trepidation; yet, even a mariner at sea experiences fear, while one standing securely on solid ground fears not the potential for shipwreck. A descent into the turbulent waters exposes one to grave risks. Therefore, shun the tumultuous sea of this age to escape the threat of disaster! While gales may sway the treetops, they do not topple them due to their deep-rooted stability; similarly, although storms may ravage the seas, not all vessels succumb to wreckage, as peril looms for all. Likewise, from the unrelenting assaults of evil spirits, no one can evade, whether standing on a firm shore or adrift in the open ocean, and often the strength of the gusts shatters even the finest ships.
On a moral plane, this illustrates how the chains of ancient sins are unraveled in backward succession: first the snares of gluttony, then levity, and finally, ambition. Adam succumbed to the temptation of food, and when he approached the forbidden tree with a light heart, he fell into the sin of foolish ambition, yearning to be like God. Thus, our Lord was the first to shatter the nets of this old transgression, guiding us to conquer sin through Scripture and liberate ourselves from its bondage. The Lord Jesus did not covet what belonged to Him; why then do you desire what is not rightfully yours? The Creator of all creation scorned worldly glory and embraced poverty; why grip your state of birth with dissatisfaction and yearn for what is not due to you? Why seek to prolong what is transient? Guard against deception and trickery! For the sake of humanity's fall, the devil stirs the entire world with his subtle lies, employing all deceitful tactics of this age, thus you should be even more vigilant toward his allurements. It was not the fruit that beguiled Eve, nor did her neglect of divine commandments lead to her downfall, but rather the seductive promise of greatness that led her astray. Had she desired only to honor God, she would not have pursued the wrong ambitions. Therefore, you are equipped with a means to repel this danger—serve God exclusively, for devotion to God is free from the chains of ambition.
THEOSIS