The malice of the demon of pride takes two forms. Either he persuades the monk to ascribe his achievements to himself and not to God, the Giver of all goodness and helper in every achievement; or, if this fails, he suggests that he should belittle those of his brethern who are as yet less perfect than himself. Influenced in this way, he does not realize that the demon is persuading him to deny God's help. For if he belittles his brethern for their lack of achievement, he clearly infers that he has achieved something through his own powers. But this is impossible, since, as our Lord has said, "Without Me you can do nothing." For even when impelled towards what is good, our weakness cannot bring anything to fruition with the Giver of all goodness. (Maximos the Confessor)

This insight is applicable far beyond the monastery. There is nothing we can do to earn spiritual achievement. We accept grace and live in accordance with grace or we do not.

I wonder how Maximos squares this insight with his prior instructions on self-organized spiritual discipline.

In my critique of Maximos, I am not advocating license. But meaningful spiritual achievement is the result of being in loving relationship with God and neighbor.

If and when I focus on my sinful separation from God and what I must do to climb closer; or in differentiating myself from those who I perceive are sinning, I seek to separate from them, I have been tricked by the demon of pride.

I am a sinner. I will be a sinner. But I can accept God's grace and I can live in loving relationship with God and my neighbor.