Вожделение

Blessed is that young man who understands, at the first appearance of the actions of lust in him, that he should not indulge in lust, that he should be curbed by the Law of God and prudence. Lust, being curbed at its first demands, conveniently submits to the mind and manifests its demands weaker, acting like a slave bound in chains. Satisfied lust intensifies demands. Lust, to which reason will transfer power over a person with long-term and constant satisfaction, already dominates as a tyrant over both body and soul, destroying both body and soul. Our flesh is an unfaithful friend: it lusts after other flesh not only according to its own impulse, but also according to an alien impulse, according to the impulse of a fallen spirit, which finds pleasure for itself in the defilements of flesh that does not belong to it. Unexpectedly, her obscene, insolent, and intense demand appears. It was recognized by the most prudent fathers that when fighting the lusts of nature, abstinence from food and other bodily exploits must be prudent and moderate, that carnal lust is only curbed by these exploits, that it is overcome by humility and prayerful crying, attracting Divine grace to the ascetic, that enhanced bodily exploits are more harmful than useful when they, excessively weakening bodily strength, prevent you from engaging in prayer, crying and acts of humility. When talking about purity, we find it essential to address with a wretched word the ignorance of our time, which is so proud of knowledge, and to give a helping hand to those who are drowning and languishing in confusion, despondency and sadness because of their ignorance. Quite a lot of people who want to lead a godly life are completely bewildered when thoughts and feelings of carnal lust arise in them. They look at this as something strange, something that should not exist, they become mentally relaxed and upset from this, and often decide to leave a godly life, recognizing themselves as incapable of it. The most erroneous view of yourself! Our nature is in a state of decline. In a state of fall, carnal lusts are natural to him and cannot help but arise from him. So, one should not be surprised or bewildered when thoughts, dreams, and feelings of lust appear: this is a natural necessity. Every person is subordinate to her, all holy people were subordinate to her. This is not enough. To succeed in spiritual life, it is absolutely necessary that our passions arise and thus be revealed. 35 When passions are revealed in an ascetic, then he enters into a struggle with them. He who enters into the struggle and fights courageously can gain victory and be crowned with the crown of victory, the Holy Spirit. Venerable Abba Dorotheos. Lesson 13. You might be interested in: