Intellectual Pride / Purgatory

St. John Vianney says: “Praise be to Jesus.”

“Today I have come to help you realize just why intellectual pride is an attitude that holds souls in Purgatory for so long. This type of pride leads people to believe more in themselves and their own opinions than in the Holy Spirit who is Truth itself.”

“Intellectual pride results in false discernment, rash judgment, liberal theology and an obtuse spirit in examining their own conscience. Every heresy throughout history has been the product of intellectual pride. This type of pride leads the soul to believe he is always right–everyone who opposes him is wrong. In this same way, he closes himself off from constructive criticism.”

“Souls, in humility, must realize that all intellect comes from God alone, and is only lent to the person as a grace to be used for the greater honor and glory of God. It is so with any gift or talent. How foolish to consider it otherwise.”

“When the soul believes too much in himself, he begins to use what God has given him towards his own self-destruction.”