What are some of the false excuses we use to justify giving in to our desires?

• a. That we are fated or destined to commit sin. But this means feigning ignorance of the potential that God has granted us, whereas the psalmist says, “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14).

• b. We blame Satan, or his hidden suggestions. And yet, we cannot shift the blame this way, for it is we who have accepted these suggestions, whatever their source may be.

• c. The Manicheans taught that sin results whenever the evil nature of the body overcomes the nature of the spirit created by God . We do indeed find both of these natures combined in us, and they do indeed at times strive against each other; so let us pray and strive that they may both come into harmony with each other by the work of the Holy Spirit in both. We ought not consider either of them as an enemy, for our enemy is sin that makes the body lust against the spirit. But if the body is healed it will err no longer, and the conflict between them will cease, and the body will become

817 St. Augustine of Hippo, On Continence 4.10 (FOTC 16:200) amended.

818 St. Augustine of Hippo, On Continence 5.12 (FOTC 16:202–203).

beloved and worthy of our care, as the apostle said: “For no one ever hated his own flesh” (Eph. 5:29).