To live according to the spirit is to love according to the spirit

To live according to the spirit is to love according to the spirit

Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church, is known for his teachings on living a life of virtue and holiness. One of his most famous quotes is, “To live according to the spirit is to love according to the spirit.” This statement encapsulates his belief that true spirituality is rooted in love and that living a life guided by the Holy Spirit involves loving others as God loves us.

For Saint Francis de Sales, living according to the spirit means living a life of faith, hope, and charity. It means being guided by the Holy Spirit in all that we do, seeking to do God’s will and follow His commandments. This requires us to cultivate a deep relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and the sacraments, allowing His love to transform us from within.

To love according to the spirit, as Saint Francis de Sales teaches, is to love with a pure and selfless love, modeled after the love of Christ. It means loving others not for what they can do for us, but for who they are as beloved children of God. It means showing compassion, kindness, and forgiveness to all, even those who may have wronged us.

Saint Francis de Sales believed that love is the greatest of all virtues and the foundation of the spiritual life. He taught that love is the key to holiness and that by loving others as God loves us, we can grow in grace and become more like Christ. He emphasized the importance of practicing love in our daily lives, through acts of charity, kindness, and service to others.