We all heard the expression "acquiring the Holy Spirit." What does it mean? How to explain it to a person far from the church? What is acquiring? To begin with, the word is rarely used in the world. It refers to the Old Slavonic language, is found in A.S. Pushkin. Explanatory dictionaries explain it ambiguously. Some associate the meaning of the term with receipt, others with self-interest or property. However, the meaning of the above phrase is far from all material. Let's try to make out, acquiring is self-interest or receiving?
The origin of the expression
He introduced this phrase into circulation Seraphim of Sarov. Once he talked with Motovilov about spiritual matters. Their reasoning concerned the essence of faith, what happens to a person during prayer. Seraphim of Sarov said that, like a person trying to achieve wealth and glory, a prayer also acts. Only his “achievements” lie in a different sphere. The believer seeks to obtain the Holy Spirit, uniting with the Lord. This expression is borrowed from the ordinary secular faith. The acquisition of the Holy Spirit is the acquisition of grace. Serafim Sarovsky compared the work of a believer with that which we produce in ordinary life. Human works are aimed at obtaining benefits for oneself and the family. This is clear to everyone and does not require additional explanation. But the work of the soul aspiring to the Lord should be interpreted, since people cannot figuratively imagine what it consists of. Serafim Sarovsky tried to find an expression that was understandable for the parishioners. In his mouth acquisitions are receiving or acquiring through labor. Moreover, what a person works for is a priori the highest value.
What does the word "acquisition" mean?
To get more information, we dig into the books. D. N. Ushakov quotes A. S. Pushkin: "From huts, from cells, from dungeons, they (robbers) flew down for acquisitions." It is clear here that the word has nothing to do with spiritual work. However, it means work, albeit sinful, as it relates to the activities of bandits. Those gathered to replenish their own pockets with other people's wealth. It turns out that acquiring is getting something, acquiring. Moreover, the specific philosophical and moral aspect of the word is specified by the context of the sentence. We can talk about acquiring wealth by righteous labor or theft. The essence does not change. The word means acquisition or receipt. But the additional terms in the expression fill it with meaning. In A. S. Pushkin it will be unlawful, immoral activity. On the lips of Seraphim of Sarov, the highest work of the soul.
Synonyms of our term
Dictionaries clarify our term based on its worldly content. Synonyms for it are called "greed", "despicable" or "property." Man strives for a better life. Some work honestly, others cunning and deceiving. But they have one goal - to get rich, eat sweet, be safe, 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 additional in the phrase. For example, A.N. Apukhtin has the expression "Gaining rich by the unrighteous." Its essence is quite understandable. It is a question of a man enriched with theft.
What does “acquisition of the Holy Spirit” mean?
Let us return to the explanations of Seraphim of Sarov. He explained the phrase in some detail. Man has three sources of desire, will. The first is spiritual; it encourages union with the Lord, gaining grace. The second is own, the third is demonic. The latter forces to act out of self-interest, pride or vanity. Everyone has it and is very dangerous. The second will gives a person a choice. He himself decides what motive motivates him, what to do and why. Some steal, others do good. But they act for a worldly result. Have blessed the neighbor, so that he and he are pleased to do. Only the first will from God. It encourages a person to do good deeds for the sake of the Holy Spirit. When her 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 wealth as much as possible. Do not be afraid of him, but strive for acquiring. The essence of faith is not in prayer, as such, and not in the practice of rites. The meaning of all that the churchly person does is in acquiring the Holy Spirit, accumulating this eternal wealth.