How might we summarize Abba Moses’ advice regarding discernment?

Discernment is the eye of the heart that sorts our thoughts and actions and discerns between them. It is a divine gift, for which we must persevere in asking fervently of God; that He may grant us Wisdom itself. Discernment protects a person against right-hand blows⁷⁷² such as being excessive in vigils and fasts or asceticism that can lead a person to fall into vainglory. It protects against left-hand blows such as lethargy and laziness and evil thoughts. The children of God who are humble in their discernment:

771 St. John Cassian, The Conferences 2.16–17, 22 (NPNF II/11:316–317).

772

Translators’ Note: this denotes spiritual temptations that are obvious and direct (right-hand) or hidden and indirect (left-hand).

• a. Do not depend on their own personal thinking but hold fast to the thought and spirit of the early Church Fathers, imitating them in the Lord.

• b. Do not hide any of their thoughts and actions from their father of confession, knowing that an evil thought is broken when it is brought out into the light and its deception is exposed and made manifest.

• c. Gray hair is not in itself a qualification of the shepherd — what matters is that a shepherd be experienced in his communion with the Lord.