According to Aquinas, the sin of pride is always rooted in the proposition of a lie that generates a fear. So in order to address the pride, we need to address the lie and the fear.
To counter a lie, we need truth. To counter a fear, we need perfect love. For although the lie can be conquered by a solid exposition on truth, fear as a passion may still linger, as the lie itself is rooted deeply. Fear is the fruit of a lie, so by this fruit the lie can grow back.
When Christ commands us to not be afraid, it is because He sometimes starts with our fear. In starting with our fear, He indirectly communicates that the lie we hold to is not true. He understands that our fear, if grave, affects our ability to listen to reason. So while the devil begins with a lie, Christ begins with communicating love and peace. Remember how Christ spoke to His apostles after the resurrection, even before He was reconciled to St. Peter.
We must therefore not forget to manifest perfect love in an exposition of truth, otherwise our demoralizing demeanor may only reinforce the false narrative of fear in the heart of man, that is sown by a dynamic mixture or truth and error (a lie). Nonetheless, others may be clinging so strongly to their own preferred narrative that they reject that love. This is where choice is.
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Photo: Priscilla Du Preez, Unsplash / PD-US
