"Do not be alarmed."

Date: 12 April 2005 13:44:15

We are all involved in struggles. Especially in the Christian life. Having a very short temper -- Lord, help me -- I know this all too well for myself. As St Paul wrote all those years ago, "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." [Romans 7:19, NASB]. And then there are the various thoughts and feelings that arise, seemingly without any prompting from my end. I, at such times, often feel so downcast and wonder what is wrong with me, and if it is only me who is the "bad Christian" who has such struggles.

It was, therefore, such a joy to read this by Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov in his book, The Arena:

If the enemy offers you various sinful thoughts and feelings, or if they arise from your fallen nature, do not be alarmed. And do not be surprised at this, as if it were something extraordinary. Say to yourself: 'I was conceived in iniquities and born in sins [cf Psalm 50:5(*)]. It is impossible for my nature which is so infected with the poison of sin not to show its infection.' Exactly! It is impossible for our fallen nature not to produce its fruit, especially when it begins to be cultivated by the commandments of the Gospel. When land begins to be tilled with the plough, then the very roots of the weeds are ploughed out onto the surface; and if the land is ploughed regularly, the weeds are gradually eradicated and the land gradually becomes clean. In the same way, when the heart is cultivated by the commandments, the most deeply rooted thoughts and emotions which are responsible for every kind of sin are dug out of it and brought to the surface; and thus by continual and regular exposure, they are gradually destroyed.

from Chapter 33 -- On the Necessity for Courage in Temptations

Bishop Ignatius continues, exhorting us that when such a passion make its appearance, "without a moment's delay cut it off by the commandments of the Gospel", and to not allow such passions to gain a foothold. He also explains the valuable role of confession, one of the sacraments in the Orthodox Church, in helping to conquer such thoughts.

It was a great joy and a great comfort to read these words. As well as a call to action -- may I strike such thoughts down, rather than induldge them.

(*)in the Septuagint; most English Bibles have this verse at Psalm 51:5