These good habits reflect the fact that our Orthodox Christian faith touches every aspect of our lives, and that there is nothing we do, nowhere we go, without Christ, or without His blessing and His protection. It is in drawing on this blessing that we will have strength to endure the daily struggles. It is in drawing on this blessing that we will be able to grow. It is drawing on this blessing that we will be able to live and share Christ s love. This love develops and flourishes when we are spiritually vigilant.
Parents teach their children vigilance by example.
As both St. John Climacus and Starets Anthony of Optina have said, when we are observing the faults of others and talking and criticizing, we do the work of the devil. We have to watch out for enmity and judgment in ourselves, guarding against a critical spirit. What are the sins of others to us, the starets says, when we are up to our ears in endless sins. Citing the Psalter, he encourages us to ask God to set a guard before our mouth, to turn our hearts away from evil thoughts. And if we see a fault in another, we ought to pray.