We have all heard the expression "acquisition of the Holy Spirit". And what does it mean? How to explain it to a person far from the church? Stretching - what is it? Let's start with the fact that the word is rarely used in the world. It belongs to the Old Slavonic language, is found in A. S. Pushkin. Explanatory dictionaries explain it ambiguously. Some associate the meaning of the term with receiving, others with self-interest or property. However, the meaning of the above phrase is far from everything material. Let's try to figure it out, is acquiring self-interest or receiving?
Origin of expression
Seraphim of Sarov introduced this phrase. Once he was talking with Motovilov about spiritual matters. Their reasoning concerned the essence of faith, what happens to a person during prayer. Seraphim of Sarov said that just like a person trying to achieve we alth and fame, a person who prays also acts. Only his "achievements" lie in a different sphere. The believer seeks to obtain the SpiritA saint who unites with the Lord. This expression is borrowed from ordinary worldly faith. The acquisition of the Holy Spirit is the acquisition of grace. Seraphim of Sarov compared the work of a believer with what we do in ordinary life. The labors of a person are aimed at obtaining benefits for themselves and their families. This is clear to everyone and does not require further explanation. But the work of the soul, striving for the Lord, should be explained, since people cannot imagine figuratively what it consists of. Seraphim of Sarov tried to find an expression understandable to the parishioners. In his mouth, acquisition is the acquisition or acquisition through labor. Moreover, what a person works for is a priori the highest value.
What does the word "acquisition" mean
Dig into the books for more information. D. N. Ushakov quotes A. S. Pushkin: “From huts, from cells, from dungeons, they (robbers) flocked for acquisitions.” Here it is clear that the word has nothing to do with spiritual work. However, it means work, albeit sinful, as it refers to the activities of bandits. They were going to fill their own pockets with other people's we alth. It turns out that acquisition is the receipt of something, the acquisition. Moreover, the specific philosophical and moral aspect of the word is specified by the context of the sentence. We can talk about the acquisition of we alth through righteous labor or theft. The essence does not change. The word means acquisition or receiving. But additional terms in the expression fill it with meaning. For A. S. Pushkin, this will be illegal, immoralactivity. Seraphim of Sarov speaks of the highest work of the soul.
Synonyms of our term
Dictionaries explain our term based on its mundane content. Synonyms for it are called "covetousness", "drooping" or "property". Man strives for a better life. Some work honestly, others are cunning and deceiving. But they have one goal - to get rich, to eat sweetly, to be safe, to live better than others. That is, acquisition is understood as the acquisition of value by any means. Again, the meaning of the word is specified by additional ones in the phrase. For example, A. N. Apukhtin has the expression “rich in unrighteous acquisition.” Its essence is quite clear. It is a question of a man enriched by theft.
What does “acquisition of the Holy Spirit” mean
Let's return to the explanations of Seraphim of Sarov. He explained the phrase in some detail. A person has three sources of desires, will. The first is spiritual, it pushes to unity with the Lord, the acquisition of grace. The second is his own, the third is demonic. The latter forces one to act out of self-interest, pride or vanity. Everyone has it and it is very dangerous. The second will gives man a choice. He himself decides what motives guide him, what to do and why. Some steal, others do good. But they act for a worldly result. They did good to the neighbor, so that he and himself would be pleased. Only the first will is from God. It encourages a person to do good deeds for the sake of the Holy Spirit. Whenher man listens, he also collects "capital". But not worldly, like gold and money, but eternal. Seraphim of Sarov said that people need to accumulate this we alth as much as possible. Do not be afraid of him, but strive for acquisition. The essence of faith is not in prayer, as such, and not in the administration of rituals. The meaning of everything that a churched person does is in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit, the accumulation of this eternal we alth.
