Christian Concepts and Everyday Life
How can we summarize the principles in St. Sarapion's exhortation regarding vices in St. John Cassian's Conference with him?
Q1254 · Vices or Evils
- The sins of the flesh are those in which the body seeks to satisfy itself or find pleasure. Victory over them requires the combination of bodily efforts (fasting, abstinence, and vigils) with efforts of the mind (prayers and groanings); all in the hands of divine grace.
- The sins follow a sequence, with each sin leading to another. It is necessary to attack them at the source.
- Every person is beset more by a characteristic sin, and every person must target his ‘arrows’ on that sin; which are fasting, prayer, groanings, and tears. Victory over this sin requires that one attend to one’s other sins as well.
- The Lord was tempted and He triumphed, so that we may know that we are not victorious by our own efforts, but through the triumphant Lord Jesus.
- Victory requires a life of thanksgiving to God, because there is no salvation for us from sin without the grace and care of God and His protection over us.