How can a person develop sound judgment, a stable psyche, and a calm, clear mind? Many people today seem to have “chaos” in their heads, muddled thinking, and a restless, scattered mind. #

Qualities such as sound judgment, a stable psyche, and a calm, clear mind are essential to the Christian virtue of chastity. The word chastity derives from the Greek σωφροσύνη (sophrosyne), which can be translated as “wholeness” or “soundness.” It refers not only to physical purity but also to integrity in thoughts and actions. This integrity was characteristic of humanity before the Fall. After sin entered the world and humanity fell away from God, this integrity was lost. Humanity became fragmented and “broken.” The Apostle Paul writes:

“For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. […] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” (Romans 7:19, 22–23)

Humans cannot overcome this internal disarray through their own efforts. It required the coming of Jesus Christ, one of whose purposes was to heal humanity and restore its original wholeness. However, such wholeness is not granted automatically. Effort is required—struggle against sin, against oneself, and against one’s passions. It is these passions that drown out the voice of God within a person. As King Solomon wrote:

“If a man loves righteousness, her labors are virtues: for she teaches self-control and sound judgment.” (Wisdom of Solomon 8:7)

In other words, to achieve chastity and sound judgment, one must pursue righteousness. Righteousness is possible only through union with Christ in the sacraments of the Church, by observing God’s commandments, and through the fight against sin. Sin “blinds” a person, preventing them from seeing fundamental truths, chasing illusions, and stopping to consider eternity.

The first step toward sound judgment is to listen to the voice of one’s conscience. Conscience is the voice of God within a person. One can either suppress this voice by giving in to passions or, by heeding it, come closer to God. Once united with Christ, a person reorders their priorities and judgments in accordance with eternal truths and evaluates everything based on a scale that measures all things in light of eternity.

— Priest Evgeny Gureev.