The image of God weighing a person's life ("soul") as if on scales has its roots in deep, pre-biblical antiquity. This image became central for describing what in the pagan world was called the judgment of the gods, and in some biblical books it appears as an element in the description of the Last Judgment.

It is entirely natural that such weighing becomes a moment of truth for a person. Each of us is inclined in one way or another to justify ourselves and our actions; for a truly sober spiritual analysis of one's own life, a special revelation is needed, and not everyone receives it. But for God all the movements of our heart, all our motives and intentions, are transparent. He understands at first glance "how much we weigh," or, using images more familiar to us, what we are worth.

It would seem that sufficient life experience and elementary honesty with oneself should free anyone from illusions about oneself. But things are not so simple: the real causes of one's actions, those very motives and intentions that determine them, usually are indeed hidden from the inner sight of a fallen person. Life experience alone is not enough here, just as the ordinary honesty available to a person who does not wish to deceive himself is not enough.

It is no accident that both Jewish and Christian prayer practices know special kinds of appeals to God asking Him to show the one who prays the true state of his soul, to let him understand the real causes of his actions, and to see the sins that obstruct normal relationship with God. It is surely better to be freed now from everything that prevents full spiritual life than to learn about it at the Last Judgment.