By Saint Isaac the Syrian
Know
that intense thoughts and carnal temptations will fight you, to defile your
body and your soul.
To
overcome this passion, you must systematically avoid worldly associations. Do
not forget that our nature has within it the urge for procreation, which is
inflamed by our careless behavior with women.
Another
kind of damage is caused to the soul by temptations that come from things that
are far away from us, and another, much more serious harm is caused to our soul
by thoughts that come to us when the temptation is near us. When the fire is
far away, it does not harm us much, but when it is near, then the damage is
certain.
Just
as oil nourishes the light of a lamp, so carnal desires nourish passions. In
order to keep our bodies clean from carnal pollution, we must be very careful
about stimuli. For it is not the propensity for procreation that God has placed
in man that is harmful, but the deviation. However, man must tame this
propensity and direct it to good. For if he leaves himself without a bridle,
then he will become worse than wild animals. God made everything “very good”,
but man strayed from the right path and left his body free to be satisfied as
it wants, and not as the will of God commands.
The
natural movements of the body should not lead us astray or hinder us from
sobriety. Drink, much food, and careless intercourse with women kindle the flame
of evil desires, and the body becomes wild, losing its natural meekness and
simplicity.
Many
times we think that through exercise and prayer we have reached high standards
of virtue. It is then that God permits carnal temptations in order to humble
us. Force is needed, because the flesh does not submit easily. The struggle is
difficult, but with the Lord's help we will conquer. Our labor and struggle,
hard and difficult, will be rewarded by God. Sorrows and sorrows kill the
passions of the flesh.
Our
bodies, like our souls, are not sinful, but evil desires and carnal defilements
defile them. Exercise, suffering of the body, and prayer help in spiritual
elevation.
When
we despise the sorrows and griefs that God allows for our perfection, it is as
if we despise the commandments of God. We must not forget that virtue blooms in
us like a flower only through sorrows and physical labor. The more we love
rest, the more we give way to passions. For when the body is tormented by
labors and sorrows, evil thoughts subside. When a person remembers his sins and
repents of them, then God provides for him and increases his virtue. The more
someone forces himself, the more God blesses him, granting him the joy of
virtue. Every joy that does not come from virtue feeds the passions of the
flesh.
“Often
our body, fearing temptations, becomes a friend of sin.”
These
words were spoken by one of the Holy Fathers of our Church. Therefore, he who
desires the Lord to dwell within him must bridle his body, work the
commandments of God, and guard his soul from the works of the flesh. The Holy
Spirit does not dwell in the body that rests in carnal desires. When the body
is weakened by fasting and prayer, then the soul is strengthened. And the body
is accustomed to begging the soul for rest, because rest is its food. When the
body is not nourished by laziness and much rest, then it gives way and is
defeated.
Therefore
it comes and begs: “Let me rest a little and come to my senses.”
And
this it does until it regains its strength. Then it attacks the soul with
greater ferocity. Therefore, we will not consider the insidious entreaties of
the body. We will conduct ourselves as God wants. And in the world one can
acquire virtue, provided one struggles against the sinful demands of the body.
When
the body is exhausted by temptations and asks to be freed, you should say to
it: “You desire impurity and a shameful life.” But if it objects to you that it
is a great sin to kill one’s body, you should refute it with the argument that
I am not killing you (the body), but the evil and wicked desires that nest
within you.
You
should say to the body: “I kill the unclean life that the Lord detests, and not
you who are a gift from God.”
It
is better to die than to be separated from our God, who gives us so many gifts,
and above all purity of soul and sobriety. What is one to do with life when he
is far from God? A thousand times to endure the sufferings of the body, than to
give in to his unlawful and sinful desires.
source / churchofagianapa.blogspot.gr
