Living Out a Rule of Life with Discernment and Caution

Living out a rule of life requires discernment and caution because it must be tailored to each individual. Rushing into prescriptive spiritual formation can lead to becoming like the Pharisees who focused on practices rather than a free relationship with God. Misusing a rule of life can close us off to God if our motivation is misplaced. Common temptations to watch for include control, busyness, duty, and enthusiasm. Control tempts us to seek order and minimize pain, but a rule of life is about freedom through submission. Busyness should not be mistaken for spiritual growth, as it can be detrimental to our spiritual lives. It is important to invite God to prepare us for a rule of life by exploring and addressing our struggles with control and busyness with the help of others.