64. Брань

We see in the world that when one state rebels against another, then the other state is going to defend itself, and rebel against the rebel, and go to battle with him. So, since our flesh with passions and lusts rises up against us, Christians, we must not slumber, but must defend ourselves and resist it. When one state opposes another and one other tries to win, then there is a battle between them. So, when a Christian resists the flesh with passions and lusts and does not do what it wants, and, moreover, tries to subjugate it to the spirit, then there is a battle between the Christian and the flesh. And this is what the apostle says: “the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the flesh: they oppose each other” (Gal. 5:17). In a visible battle, when one side does not want to submit to the other and thus surrender itself into slavery, it fights against it with all its might. Likewise, a Christian, with all diligence and diligence, must stand and fight against the flesh, if he does not want to be defeated by it, submit to it, be its captive and slave. In battle, those warriors who fight against their enemy receive instruction from their commanders and help from each other. Likewise, a Christian who fights against the flesh must ask and expect guidance and help from Christ the Hero, and by His power pacify the rebellion of his flesh. The flesh wants to be proud and exalted, but a Christian must pacify it with the humility of Christ. The flesh wants to become rich in this world and collect a lot, but a Christian must suppress this desire through the poverty of Christ. The flesh wants to be angry with a person and take revenge on him for the insult, but a Christian must tame its movement with the meekness and quietness of Christ. The flesh in misfortune worries, rushes about, is embarrassed, wants to grumble and not endure, but a Christian must calm its disorderly movement with the strength and patience of Christ. The flesh wants to hate and be angry with those who are at war with it, but a Christian must overcome it with the goodness and love of Christ. So in other things, a Christian must, by the power and example of Christ, stand against the flesh and fight and defeat it. It happens in a visible battle that the defeated side rises up again, corrects itself, and fights even harder against the victorious side. Likewise, a Christian, overcome by the flesh, must rise up and, calling on the Almighty Jesus for help, be strengthened by His power. And again, stand and fight against the flesh, and not allow it to own and dominate him. In a visible battle, the more one side is defeated and the other is victorious, the weaker the defeated one becomes, and the victorious one becomes stronger and stronger. This is how it happens in the battle between the flesh and a Christian. The more a Christian overcomes the flesh, the more the flesh becomes weak, its passions and lusts are pacified and subside, and the Christian is filled with greater strength and strengthens and becomes better. In visible battle, a warrior does not stand and fight against one enemy, but against everyone. Likewise, a Christian must not stand and fight against passion alone, but also against all. What good does it do for a warrior to stand and fight against one enemy, but not resist others and be defeated and killed by them? A warrior, if he wants to save his life and be a winner, must resist all rising enemies. What good is it for a Christian to stand and fight against one passion, while submitting to others and falling into slavery? Many strive against fornication, which is laudable and glorious, but are overcome by anger and rage. Others are generous and merciful to their neighbors, but with their tongue they harm a person, slandering him and condemning him. Many restrain their bellies from overeating and drunkenness, but from vindictiveness they do not want to fast a little. Same with other things. Just as we arm ourselves and stand against one passion, so we must arm ourselves against others and fight against them. The apostle speaks about this: “Beloved! I ask you, as strangers and pilgrims, to flee from the lusts of the flesh, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Christian! Just as you arm yourself and fight against one certain passion, so arm yourself against others and do not allow them to defeat you. Just as you fight against fornication and do not allow it to overcome you, so fight and fight with pride, fight with arrogance, fight with vanity, fight with anger, rage and rancor, fight with the love of money and stinginess, fight with hatred and envy, and so on. Just as you refrain your belly from overeating and drunkenness, so refrain your tongue from slander and condemnation, idle talk, foul language and slander. Just as you keep your hands from killing, stealing, theft and robbery, so keep them from beating. Just as you fast from food and drink, so fast from all evil. Here is a Christian post! This is true abstinence! This feat is difficult, but Christian duty requires it. Many people defeat people, states and cities, but they do not want to defeat themselves. This is a Christian victory—to conquer oneself, that is, one’s own flesh! The more often a warrior participates in battle and fights against enemies, the more skillful and brave he becomes. Likewise, the more a Christian fights against the flesh, its passions and lusts and conquers them with the grace of Christ, the more skillful he is in the Christian calling and the better he becomes from hour to hour. For the Lord, seeing his diligence, work and feat, has mercy on him, and corrects him, frees him from slavery to passions, and makes him a good tree, which itself bears good fruits. “If you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if in the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh, you will live” (Rom 8:13). “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal.5:24). “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom 8:1). “O Lord Christ, raging with a choking storm, tame the sea of ​​passions, and lift me up from aphids, for I am compassionate!” You might be interested in: