Temptation: a Life-Long Battle

And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, but will make with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Cor 10:12

We all have temptations.  Some are tempted with the classic temptation of lust. Some with anger.  All with pride.  Look at the seven deadly sins and you will see that you have at least one prime vice that the devil uses to lead you astray.

 

The Seven Deadly Sins (PALE GAS)

1. Pride
2. Anger
3. Lust
4. Envy
5. Gluttony
6. Avarice (Greed)
7. Sloth

 

Temptation Will Always Exist

 

When we face these temptations, over and over, it can be disheartening, feeling as though we’ll never conquer our primary sin.  Yet, here in First Corinthians St. Paul tells us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength.  And St. Paul knows about temptation, sharing in Romans 7:14-25 his own struggles with doing in his body that which his mind abhors.

 

I heard a tale of St. Catherine once.  She went through a very terrible temptation.  It was an intense battle.  Afterwards she asked Our Lord “Where were You?  Why did you allow me to be tempted?  I almost didn’t beat it!”  His answer: “But you did beat it.”  So many battles are won, yet they are battles.  We get beat up by the temptation; it can rattle our hearts, minds and souls.  It’s hard work to stay on the narrow path and concupiscence constantly is pulling us towards sin.  Every time we do succeed against a temptation, stopping before we cross the threshold to sin, we must give all glory to God, who provided the grace to ultimately win that battle.

 

When We Don’t Succeed

 

However, sometimes we don’t conquer our temptations like St. Catherine.  Sometimes, almost in spite of ourselves, we fall.  Hard.  It’s can be an out-of-body-experience.  As our heart and minds are screaming no, we are too weak and fall anyway.  This is a lesson in humility.  We can do nothing from our own strength.  We can do all things in Him who strengthens us. (Rom 8:28).  So if you fall, do not beat yourself up and enter into despair.  Instead, it approach the Cross, acknowledge your weak and little self, ask for forgiveness, and move on.

 

I’m not saying you have to fall.  God will always give us enough grace to conquer the temptation (see the homily below for a great explanation of this), but as we strive to conquer vices and grow in virtue, loving Our Lord more and more each day, it shouldn’t surprise us when we do fall.

 

(*Note: if mortal, you MUST go to Confession to receive forgiveness)

 

*Mortal Sin

1. Grave matter (seven deadly sins, violation of the 10 Commandments, precepts of the Church)
2. Full knowledge (ignorance, lack of catechesis)
3. Full consent of the will (things such as age, habit, coercion, fear)

 

Let Not Your Soul Be Troubled

 

I’ve read over and over among various Saints that we are not to let our sins trouble us, in that they cause disruption in our lives.  Yes, to love God as we should we must be incredibly sorrowful for hurting Him and beg His Mercy and Help for the future.  True contrition for our sins is where our hearts should be when we love Christ. Yet, the more trust we place in Him, the more we surrender, the less our sins will cause great torrents in the oceans of our souls.  Instead, we can stay at peace knowing He will accept our pleas for pardon, while we are here on this earth, and embrace us as His wayward child.

 

Book Suggestions

 

The Dialogues, St. Catherine of Sienna

Searching For and Maintaining Peace, Fr. Jacques Phillipe

Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence

 

Homilies on Temptation

 

Temptation is a Gift From God (Sensus Fidelium YT)

We Must Expect Temptations (St. John Vianney – 9th Sun. after Pentecost)

Institute of Christ the King – 9th Sun. Temptation (podcast)

 

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