Intense thoughts and carnal temptations...

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