tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35580026298277514102024-02-19T17:49:16.457-05:00A Word from Evagrius... identifying, understanding and defeating temptation.David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-8536987125555456472049-12-31T12:00:00.001-05:002022-10-27T20:10:35.383-04:00A word from Evagrius ...Identifying, understanding and defeating temptation has piqued the interest of theologians for centuries. One such theologian was Evagrius Ponticus. He carefully and systematically analyzed the subject of temptation, and his subsequent insights have significantly influenced subsequent generations of scholarship.<br />
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Please note that this site does not attempt to comprehensively reproduce the teachings of Evagrius. If you are looking for online editions of texts written by Evagrius or relevant academic articles, please visit the "links" (will be posted soon).<br />
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I am simply sharing my own journey through his writings in the hope that this material will help you better understand your own spiritual strengths and weaknesses. As you grow in these areas, you will better understand the steps you can take to consistently achieve spiritual victories. May this material help you to be more like Christ.<br />
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Here's a recommended reading sequence:<br />
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<b>Introduction ...</b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/foundational-principles.html">Foundational Principles</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-enemies-of-godliness.html">The Enemies of Godliness</a></li>
</ol>
<b>The Eight Dangerous Thoughts ...</b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-introduction.html">Introduction to the Patterns</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-gluttony.html">Pattern: Gluttony</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-lust.html">Pattern: Lust</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-greed.html">Pattern: Greed</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-sadness.html">Pattern: Sadness</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-anger.html">Pattern: Anger</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-acedia.html">Pattern: Acedia</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-vainglory.html">Pattern: Vainglory</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-eight-patterns-pride.html">Pattern: Pride</a></li>
</ol>
<div>
<b>Victory ...</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/aspire.html">ASPIRE: Necessary Spiritual Disciplines</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<b>Supplements ...</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/canonical-definitions.html">"Canonical" Definitions</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/evolution-of-seven-deadly-sins.html">Evolution of Seven Deadly Sins</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/adaptations.html">Adaptations of the Seven Deadly Sins</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/miscellany.html">Miscellany</a></li>
<li><a href="http://evagrius.blogspot.com/2013/05/bibliography.html">Bibliography</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
<b><i>PIT</i>scan ...</b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="https://ext.pastpursuit.com/orig" target="_blank"><b><i>PIT</i>scan</b> Diagnostic Tool</a></li>
</ol>
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<br />David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-81542737759976279332014-01-02T11:16:00.002-05:002014-01-02T11:16:35.843-05:00Image: Pattern Relationships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-62092809358537654112014-01-02T11:14:00.003-05:002014-01-02T11:16:48.208-05:00Image: Pattern Wheel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2oYfanSUW_vajJeTyl6szef288g32CIeBrEgRgi73m_J-dqSViMiUp1c0on93v3Dqt8jMn2-yp9h1WMAX7yFVuQBVUPY6gN25k_5Yqt_aQi_8UouUV8jbqU_dWo49UoyrnZCEdVb2xM/s1600/pitlogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2oYfanSUW_vajJeTyl6szef288g32CIeBrEgRgi73m_J-dqSViMiUp1c0on93v3Dqt8jMn2-yp9h1WMAX7yFVuQBVUPY6gN25k_5Yqt_aQi_8UouUV8jbqU_dWo49UoyrnZCEdVb2xM/s320/pitlogo.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-72820274692802628882013-06-15T12:36:00.000-04:002014-01-02T10:05:23.650-05:00The Eight Patterns: Introduction<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">What are patterns of impure thought?</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Evagrius believed all forms of temptation could be reduced to a handful of categories. The Greek term for these categories, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">logosmoi</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">, has been variously translated as tempting thought, evil reasoning, principal fault, passion, and deadly sin. I opt for the term "pattern of impure thought." These patterns are solicitations to engage in a course of ungodly activity. Without scruple, the opponents of godliness (which include Satan, his followers, the world, and our own fallen natures) offer us hollow promises of pleasure and reward in an effort to influence our choices. They seek our consent to their ungodly suggestions.</span><br />
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As the term implies, patterns are sequences or processes. A single thought does not constitute a pattern of thinking. Our spiritual enemies try to entangle us by persuading us to repeatedly make poor choices. They want us in bondage to sinful habits.</div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Why are there only eight patterns?</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Various lists of impure thoughts were already in circulation when Evagrius moved to the desert. He studied the patterns, refined the definitions and carefully developed his list of eight. Over the last 1,600 years, many revisions to the list have been proposed, but nothing has substantially improved its usefulness. Obviously, the list can be tweaked, but it remains amazingly robust. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Why isn't <fill in the blank> a pattern?</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Why isn't murder, lying, stealing, cheating, etc. on the list? Because these acts spring from the patterns. Any sin not specifically mentioned in the list is simply a variation or combination of the eight basic patterns. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Because this is a list of thoughts instead of a list of behaviors, motivation is a key consideration. For instance, murder could be a manifestation of anger, greed, pride, or even lust. What motivates someone to lie, steal or cheat? After reviewing the detailed descriptions of the patterns, try throwing various sinful behaviors at the list. You might be surprised to see that, in some way, everything sticks. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">For the record, the most popular candidates for addition to the list are envy, jealousy, fear, blasphemy, and heresy. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Is there biblical support for the patterns?</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">There is not a single passage of Scripture which lists all eight patterns in order. This does not mean the patterns are unscriptural, but that the Bible is not systematically organized. For instance, there is not a single, comprehensive list of God's attributes in Scripture either, yet theologians have come up with several helpful lists on this very subject. It is possible to know God is all-powerful, all-knowing, forgiving, merciful, loving, etc. because of the full testimony of God's Word. Like all systematic doctrine, these truths are constructed from the whole of Scripture. </span><br />
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While the eight patterns do not appear in Scripture as a single list, each one is mentioned in Scripture many times over.</div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-49513307995169497222013-06-08T12:46:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:33:28.161-04:00The Eight Patterns: Gluttony<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">... a desire without restraint.</span><br />
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<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#FFA500" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Gluttony</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-indulge</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
without restraint</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
Gluttony has been typically restricted to food-related issues; however, the underlying principle is an attempt to inappropriately satisfy a natural and legitimate desire. For example, eating is necessary, yet overeating is rightly considered to be gluttonous. More specifically, the problem is not necessarily too much food, but too much time, effort and/or attention spent on food. Thus, a picky eater might also be a glutton, even if there is no overeating.This is perhaps the least subtle and most persistent of the patterns. As long as humans have legitimate needs, the temptation to overindulge will never be very far away.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
persistent</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with self-control</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as overeating</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with enjoyment</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
drunkenness, perfectionism, fussiness, unruliness, profligacy</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
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God destroyed the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their extreme wickedness. What did they do to warrant such destruction? One of the charges leveled against them was gluttony.<br />
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"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen." – Ezekiel 16:49-50</div>
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To many modern people, gluttony appears to be a relatively insignificant issue, especially when compared to lust, greed, pride, etc. This has not always been in the case. In ancient times, gluttony was considered a serious offense.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Comments</span><br />
Gluttony is natural to mankind. It is more than a pattern of impure thought; it is also a pattern of impure activity. This is not an exclusively mental process, but requires action.<br />
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The spirit of gluttony is always looking for opportunities to strike quickly and with little warning. It causes one to be easily startled, rigidly inflexible, and generally unprepared.<br />
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In the arena of spiritual combat, gluttony is a relatively lightweight opponent. While those who frequently struggle with it may be inclined to disagree, this is definitely the easiest pattern to identify. Because identification is always the first step towards victory, it is easier to engage this enemy. It is also fairly easy to gauge success when measurable goals can be clearly established.<br />
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If this really is a lightweight pattern, then it should be easier (but not necessarily easy) to defeat. Christians who consistently fail in this area are very unlikely to find significant success against the more powerful and more subtle "heavyweight" patterns.<br />
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The mind is a muscle and must be exercised. Gluttony is like a weight-training center. Any workout that strengthens the mind makes the entire person stronger. Every spiritual victory of any sort is a building block upon which additional victories are built. Defeating gluttony will make it easier to resist (apparently) unrelated temptations.<br />
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In addition to causing the obvious physical problems, gluttony impairs the mental faculties as well. Like the other appetite patterns (greed and lust), it tends to dull the mind and senses after being sated. This, in turn, causes one to be dangerously undisciplined, complacent and lax. On the other hand, depriving an appetite sharpens the mind and heightens awareness.<br />
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One of the most subtle dangers stemming from gluttony is the expansion factor. Whenever legitimate needs are indulged to excess, the threshold for future satisfaction is raised. More and more is required as desires intensify. Legitimate needs can only expand so far. Eventually, these legitimate desires branch out into illegitimate areas. In this way, gluttony opens the door to lust and greed. A little hunger can be an effective buffer against the unwelcome expansion of gluttony. It is better to partially starve an appetite than to completely sate it.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
ASPIRE. Focus on abstinence. Gluttony requires action, and if the action does not place, then it is fairly certain that a victory has been won.<br />
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Recognize the need for victory. If you do not want to win, then you will not win.<br />
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Be righteously indignant. This is a spiritual battle, and Satan does not fight fair. When tempted, it is perfectly acceptable to be upset.<br />
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Avoid settings that facilitate indulgence. For example, someone struggling with alcoholism should never go into a bar. It is impossible to avoid battles with temptation, but you do not have to give it the home court advantage.<br />
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Set standards and goals. Try to focus on foods that are healthy, inexpensive and convenient. Eat what is needed instead of what is wanted. Strive to be content with less.<br />
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Find a positive role model. If appropriate, establish an accountability relationship, but do so with great care. A glutton asking another glutton for help is a clear case of the blind leading the blind. Gluttony has a tendency to fuel itself, and instead of helping each other, both gluttons are likely to become even more ensnared. Your role model must be free of gluttony.<br />
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Wait to eat. Just because you are hungry does not mean you have to eat immediately and/or until you are full. It is difficult to know the precise moment when you cross the boundary between "enough" and "too much," so give yourself a buffer, or a margin for error, by leaving a little edge on your appetite. Consider establishing an eating schedule and try not to eat between appointed times.<br />
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Do not eat alone. It is surprising how helpful a chaperone can be in dealing with gluttony! They are most effective when they know they are supposed to be watching you. If possible, ask your accountability partner to pull double duty as a chaperone.<br />
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Do physical labor. Honest hunger is more effectively sated than idle hunger.<br />
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Stay alert. Do not declare victory too soon. If the battle seemed short and/or victory came easily, then the battle is not really over. Many people win the initial conflict, only to fall in the next one. Satan is aware of this, and likely "throws" round one to gain an advantage in later rounds.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Fasting</span><br />
Fasting is a voluntary form of abstinence. It is an exercise in self-control that supplements the spiritual disciplines, thus it is merely a means to an end. Never fast for the sake of fasting. It should accompany something else, such as grieving, confessing sin, seeking guidance, etc. The amount of time saved through fasting should be invested in one of the other spiritual disciplines, such as additional prayer, meditation, Scripture study, and/or acts of charity.<br />
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The most common form of fasting is to completely forsake food for a specific period of time; however, it can also be done in relation to specific foods or specific times of day. For example, those who observe Lent abstain from meat on Fridays and are permitted a small amount of food on Good Friday, a day of fasting. The principles of fasting can also be applied to non-food areas by giving up a certain activity, such as watching television, golfing, etc. Creativity makes fasting accessible to a wider audience.<br />
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Temporarily and voluntarily retreat from things that overwhelm your senses. When your senses are repeatedly assaulted, you become desensitized. For example, television can supply a steady barrage of morally questionable images which gradually erode our standards. Freely go without it for a preset amount of time, and you will surprised at how well your senses respond.<br />
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There is an old expression: "the enemy you know is preferable to the enemy you don't." Whether or not you are tempted is beyond your control (you <i>will</i> be tempted), but you can occasionally choose what type of temptation you will face. For the most part, you can choose when to enter and exit conflicts with hunger through fasting. By volunteering to wrestle with hunger, you make yourself much less vulnerable to all other forms of temptation. It is just plain difficult to do some things on an empty stomach, and this includes many sinful activities. Under these circumstances, hunger can be an effective weapon against temptation.<br />
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Satan is aware of his limitations in gluttony-oriented temptations. He has no desire to lose spiritual conflicts, and even less desire to strengthen you in the process. He does not want to be your sparring partner -- he wants to destroy you. If you are routinely winning battles in this arena, then he will adjust his tactics accordingly.<br />
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It may be easier to completely abstain from food for a short while than to try to "cut back."<br />
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A schedule can also be very helpful when fasting. Determine when to start, and set a goal of when to stop.<br />
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Proper fasting is a free-will offering. Like all offerings, it should be cheerfully given.<br />
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Fasting does produce a degree of physical weakness. This is okay because weakness is something God can genuinely use (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).<br />
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Do not become obsessed with fasting. It should be a momentary exception to a regular, steady diet. Placing too much effort and attention on fasting is simply inverted gluttony, and leads to similar spiritual problems.<br />
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Be discreet. If you find yourself in an awkward situation where you must either break your fast or draw attention to yourself, then break your fast. Fasting is an optional, voluntary sacrifice that enhances another spiritual act, but bragging and causing offense are always sinful. It is better to lose the potential benefit of fasting than to fall victim to vanity or to cause someone else to be offended.<br />
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The Bible contains many examples of circumstances that warranted fasting. A partial list includes a national disaster (the death of King Saul), personal turmoil (Hannah's barrenness), bereavement (the death of a child), extreme anxiety (Darius over the fate of Daniel), imminent danger (Esther in response to Haman's plot against the Jews), special tasks (the commissioning of Saul and Barnabas), repentance (the city of Nineveh), sadness (Nehemiah in response to the condition of Jerusalem), and more.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><br />
Gluttony leads to shame, embarrassment, and a host of other problems. Gluttons are not respected or admired by others.<br />
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"Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." – Proverbs 23:20-21<br />
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"He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." – Proverbs 28:7<br />
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"Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time -- for strength and not for drunkenness." – Ecclesiastes 10:16-17<br />
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"For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." – Philippians 3:18-19<br />
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"These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm -- shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-twice dead." – Jude 12</div>
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Moses warns that gluttony can cause one to be forgetful and unthankful.<br />
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"When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you -- a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant -- then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." – Deuteronomy 6:10-12</div>
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Drunkenness, a form of gluttony, is also a form of foolishness.<br />
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"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine." – Proverbs 23:29-30<br />
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"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise." – Proverbs 20:1<br />
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"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." – Ephesians 5:18</div>
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Fasting is not intended for everyday practice, but God does encourage it. He has even been known to require it. If God thinks it is a good idea, then it is also possible to do.<br />
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"'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'" – Joel 2:12<br />
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"This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome." – 1 John 5:3</div>
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Two important weapons to use in the battle against gluttony include self-discipline and contentment.<br />
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"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27<br />
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"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" – Matthew 6:25-26<br />
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"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." – Philippians 4:12-13</div>
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Defeating gluttony does not require starvation. It is not about self-inflicted torture. Abundant food is often mentioned in Scripture as a good thing or a reward. Believers are commanded to share their food with the needy. If hunger was a good thing, then it would be wrong to share food.<br />
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"The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry; but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." – Proverbs 10:3<br />
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"He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment." – Proverbs 12:11<br />
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"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." – Proverbs 22:9</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Quotes</span><br />
"Extravagance in foods pleases the throat, but it nourishes the unsleeping worm of licentiousness." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts I.11</i>.<br />
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"Fog conceals the sun's rays; and heavy consumption of food darkens the mind." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts I.16</i>.<br />
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"If you give yourself over to the desire for food, nothing will suffice to fulfill your pleasure, for the desire for food is a fire that ever takes in and is ever in flames." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts I.27</i>.<br />
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"Fasting is then rendered acceptable to God when it is made perfect by the fruits of charity." – John Cassian, <i>Institute V.35</i>.<br />
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"When combating gluttony, fight as if you would live for one hundred years [i.e., take care of your body]. When fighting the other temptations, act as if you were going to die tomorrow [i.e., be generous, forgiving, etc.]." – Adapted from Macarius the Great as quoted by John Cassian, <i>Institute V.41</i>.<br />
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"To fast is to enjoy simple foods in small amounts and to shun other people's esteem." – Thalassios the Lybian, <i>Centuries IV.31</i>.<br />
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"The passion of gluttony destroys all virtue's offspring." – Maximos the Confessor, <i>Centuries on Various Texts V.57</i>.<br />
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"Gluttony is hypocrisy of the stomach; for when it is glutted, it complains of scarcity; and when it is loaded and bursting, it cries out that it is hungry." – John Climacus,<i>Ladder of Divine Assent 14</i>.<br />
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"Spacious and broad is the way of the belly that leads to the perdition of fornication, and many there are who go in by it; because narrow is the gate and strait is the way of fasting that leads to the life of purity, and few there be that find it." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 14</i>.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
Is it possible to be a glutton in a non-food related area? Evagrius, Cassian, and almost every other early writer on the patterns would likely have said "no" because they limited the scope of gluttony to food. I have employed a wider definition of gluttony ("attempting to satisfy a legitimate need in an illegitimate manner") which can include non-food issues. An example might be found with the need to bathe, which can be met in a manner consistent with the spirit of gluttony.<br />
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I realize this is a significant departure from ancient authorities, and I do not use this expanded definition lightly. I also realize there are several things which might initially fit my definition, but actually belong to another pattern. For instance, a desire for sexual intimacy can be legitimate, yet inappropriate sexual activity more correctly belongs to lust. Perhaps every non-food issue does indeed belong to the other patterns.<br />
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I am cautiously inclined towards using an expanded definition for the purposes of the <i>PIT</i>scan with the understanding that dietary concerns form the largest component of this pattern.<br />
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Ancient theologians were much more sensitive to gluttony than we are today. They wrote more extensively about it than any other pattern. This is particularly true of Evagrius and Cassian, who devoted about 15% more space to it than they did to the next most discussed pattern (pride) and roughly 70% more space than the least discussed pattern (vainglory).<br />
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Paul often uses food as an example in his discussions of Christian liberty versus license. The standard for determining gluttony varies with each person. What may be gluttony for one is not necessarily gluttony for another. Take care not to be an unfair judge or a stumbling block.<br />
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Evagrius was one of many writers to identify three patterns as the first wave of attack in spiritual warfare. The "Big Three" (gluttony, greed, and vainglory) paved the way for the remaining patterns to gain access to the heart. Of these three, gluttony is the "Big One" because the resulting lack of discipline invites an incredible variety of further temptations.<br />
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There is a peculiar link between gluttony and lust. Both Evagrius and Cassian confidently declared that it was impossible to fall to lust without first falling to gluttony.<br />
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"He then will never be able to check the motions of a burning lust who cannot restrain the desires of the appetite." – John Cassian, <i>Institutes V.11</i>.<br />
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"For it is impossible to fall into the spirit of adultery, unless one has succumbed to gluttony." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Discrimination 1</i>.</div>
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Evagrius goes even further by claiming that gluttony is the mother of fornication, a terror over one's moral purpose, and a pollution of the intellect (<i>Vices and Virtues 1</i>). While I am not quite prepared to agree with such absolute assertions, they do merit further study.</div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-87673496902027084332013-06-07T12:48:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:34:00.557-04:00The Eight Patterns: Lust<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">... a desire for something wrong.</span><br />
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<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" cols="4" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Lust</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-stimulate</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
for something wrong</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
Unlike gluttony, which seeks to fulfill legitimate needs, lust seeks to satisfy illegitimate needs. The object of lustful desire is commonly of a sexual nature, but it can be non-sexual as well (such as a lust for power).Whatever the object of lust may be, it is assumed that fulfilling this desire will bring excitement and pleasure. Often there is no overt attempt to fulfill lust because nurturing the impure desire can itself be a source of pleasure. For example, someone who might not readily agree to have an extra-marital affair can still enjoy fantasizing about having one.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
self-sustaining</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with chastity</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as sexual desire</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with sexual activity</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
immodesty, vulgarity, cruelty, masturbation, inappropriate physical contact, prudery, foolish speaking</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 11px;" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" style="font-size: 11px;" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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To achieve victory over lust, follow these simple instructions: wash your left foot precisely at dawn using a mixture of one quart salt water and three teaspoons of lemon juice, then stand on one leg (the left) while balancing an acorn on your nose, and recite the alphabet backwards. As long as you faithfully do this once a week, you will never again struggle with lust.<br />
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Wouldn't it be great if that really worked? The battle against lust is so difficult and intimidating that some are willing to try anything for relief. Many have even quit fighting because they believe their defeat is inevitable. This is unfortunate and unnecessary -- victory is possible.<br />
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Warning: Lust is clearly the most awkward pattern to discuss. This material might be uncomfortable if a person's mores and preferences are offended, or if their heart is pricked with conviction. This presentation strives to be truthful, helpful, tactful, and candid.<br />
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Like gluttony, lust springs from the fallen natural of mankind. Satan is not the source of lust; he certainly attempts to fuel it, but he cannot produce it. Thus, each person must conquer their own lusts, and not the lusts of someone or something entirely outside of their own control.<br />
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The assault of lustful temptation generally starts at the onset of puberty, and continues well into old age.<br />
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It is a mental activity focused on physical behavior. Ultimately, the goal of lust is a physical act, but the sin of lust is committed in the mind before the body ever moves to action.<br />
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The most common fuel for lust is lust itself easily making it the most self-sufficient pattern.<br />
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There are three basic types of lustful activity: that which is physically acted out with another person, that which is physically acted out alone, and that which is acted out only in the mind. Note: The physical acts of the first two types range from foolish speech to blatant sexual perversity.<br />
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Lust is increasingly addictive, making it especially dangerous. It can be sated, but only temporarily. When it returns, it comes back even stronger, and what once was a satisfying lustful thought no longer provides the same degree of gratification. Like all addictive behavior, lust produces bondage. As your will to resist weakens, then you become increasingly enslaved to your own lust. Saying "no" becomes more difficult.<br />
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The battle with lust is frequently fought on several fronts at once, and is especially fraught with many quick, persistent skirmishes. These temptations are most effective when they can slip into the mind unnoticed and become ingrained before the true danger is finally recognized.<br />
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Progress against lust is made with small, hard-fought steps, but failure comes with great leaps. A single "small" lapse can demolish weeks, months, or even years, of hard fought success.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
<a href="http://evagrius.net/remedy.htm" style="color: black;">ASPIRE</a>. Focus on reflection. Lust simply cannot withstand the contemplation of God. This will not be easy to do, because lust uses distraction and misdirection when tempting you.<br />
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Starve it. Lust is an appetite with an appetite. It weakens if it is not fed. In practical terms, this means to avoid <i>everything</i> that fuels lust.<br />
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Abstinence is more than just a good idea -- it must be the law. Be careful that you do not <i>try</i> to avoid lust, or abstain only when it is convenient. If you are willing to make any exceptions to the standard of complete avoidance, then you will fail.<br />
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Continuously cultivate purity. You never get a vacation from this struggle. You must remain vigilant at all times. Negligence and carelessness are invitations to greater temptation.<br />
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Lean on God. The potential strength of lustful thoughts is absolutely beyond your ability to handle. The initial temptation might seem manageable, but as it gathers momentum, it will eventually surpass your own strength. You definitely need supernatural assistance.<br />
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Lean on a friend. An accountability partner can be extremely helpful against lust. Unlike gluttony and acedia, a partner who is also struggling with lust can still be a helpful partner.<br />
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The shame and fear which usually accompany lust will make you think that you do not <i>need</i> an accountability partner. Such thoughts are wrong. Certainly, you must be careful and discreet in selecting someone to help you, but you definitely need someone to help you.<br />
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Address those patterns that feed lust, namely gluttony and anger. While this approach can help weaken the grip of any pattern, it is particularly helpful against lust.<br />
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Both gluttony and anger distort your perceptions, impair your ability to make sound judgments, and reduce your level of self-control. As lust grows stronger, it renders you increasingly insensitive and careless. Eventually, even stupid and/or dangerous behavior will become very enticing.<br />
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In the realm of spiritual warfare, it does not matter how you sharpen your safeguard abilities, but that you do so. If you can more easily improve your self-control through resisting a temptation other than lust, it will still equip you to more effectively face lust. Also, as lust weakens its grip, these abilities will remarkably improve.<br />
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Do not be afraid to use fear. Initially, fears of getting caught or hurt can be an effective barrier to fulfilling lustful thoughts, but over time, these inhibitions and fears will fade. Continually consider the possible consequences of your behavior.<br />
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Hope can also be a helpful motivator, but it is less effective than fear. Victorious Christian living pleases God and will be rewarded. Do not insult God by dismissing His promised rewards as a mean thing.<br />
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Wear yourself out. Not only must the "inward man" be addressed, but the "outward man" as well. In addition to purifying the mind, exercise the body. Physical exertion can undermine lust, so do something physically strenuous: exercise, jog, etc.<br />
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Don't forget that God can see you. This idea can be an encouragement for those who desire to maintain purity, but it rarely motivates those who have not won at least a few significant battles against lust. Someone who is stuck deep in the pit of lust typically does not care what God can see.<br />
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Be very careful at night. Generally speaking, lust is not an early riser.<br />
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Do not confuse secrecy with solitude; they are very different. You need solitude to pray without distraction, but secrecy serves no helpful purpose. Lust thrives in darkness, but shrivels up when exposed to the light of scrutiny by others. If you <i>have</i> to do something in secret, then ask yourself if it should be done at all.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Imagery</span><br />
Lust is a uniquely visual pattern of thought. These temptations are accompanied by mental images, which can be persistent and very difficult to resist. To see the significance of lustful imagery, consider how the other patterns consistently move through the following process:<br />
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Temptation begins with a suggestion.<sup>1</sup> Once the suggestion is considered, the temptation enters the mind.<sup>2</sup> A period of internal conflict ensues in which godly intentions wrestle with ungodly thoughts.<sup>3</sup> Following this competition, a point of decision is reached.<sup>4</sup> Opting to reject<sup>5a</sup> the tempting thought leads to victory,<sup>6a</sup> while submitting<sup>5b</sup> to it is followed by the captivity of habitual practice.<sup>6b</sup><br />
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One does not have any control over the first two phases of any temptation, and is not even truly responsible until the battle has started in phase three. Under many circumstances, a lengthy conflict can be helpful. Temptation relies on misdirection and momentum, both of which wilt under the scrutiny inherent to spiritual competition. It is most effective when the struggle is short and the moment of assent is reached hastily. For example, suppose a man is tempted to steal his neighbor's ladder. The initial idea is considered as he tries to determine whether or not he should do it. After a long struggle, he decides to do it. At this point, he has sinned. Carrying out his intentions will only compound his culpability.<br />
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Lust functions differently. The temptation to act upon lustful thoughts is usually a subtle diversion from a more serious threat: the temptation to struggle with lustful thoughts. The suggestion appears to be an appeal to <i>do</i> something lustful, but is actually an appeal to <i>think</i> about doing something lustful. The victim may think he is safe because he has not yet acted upon his thoughts, but he has sorely misjudged the situation. For example, suppose a man is tempted to seduce his neighbor's wife. He thinks about it at great length, but never follows through on his thoughts. Once he has agreed to struggle with lust, he has placed himself in grave peril. Lustful thoughts are to never even be entertained. The competition phase of this temptation is never healthy and is always a sign of failure.<br />
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Impure images are not easily forgotten. If they are not rejected immediately, then they will become more firmly entrenched in the mind. These images will also resurface in future moments of temptation. Without this mental imagery, lust is rendered virtually powerless.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><br />
Lust is prohibited. It is not to be done – ever. Unlike gluttony, lust cannot be corrected through moderation. "Cutting back" is never an acceptable approach to the absolute commandments of Scriptures.<br />
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"You shall not commit adultery." – Exodus 20:14<br />
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"We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did -- and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died." – 1 Corinthians 10:8<br />
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"For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person -- such a man is an idolater -- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." – Ephesians 5:5<br />
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"May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer -- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife?" – Proverbs 5:18-20</div>
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Abstinence and chastity are similar, yet very different. The former entails simply refraining from a particular behavior, while the latter is purity. It is possible to abstain, yet be impure.<br />
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"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." – Matthew 5:27-28</div>
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Whatever God's will for your life may be, it unquestionably includes sexual purity.<br />
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"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit." – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8<br />
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"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." – 2 Timothy 2:22<br />
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"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." – 1 Peter 2:11-12<br />
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"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." – James 1:27<br />
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"For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished." – Proverbs 6:23-29</div>
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There is hope. No sinful behavior, including lust, can cause such bondage that God cannot provide victory. Lust can be a former problem.<br />
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"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11<br />
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"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived." – Colossians 3:5-7<br />
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"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." – Romans 6:12-14</div>
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Guard your body. It is a dwelling place that you provide to the Holy Spirit.<br />
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"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20</div>
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Abstinence from sexual activity is not always a viable option. Fortunately, God has provided a solution. If you cannot resist sexual temptation, pursue the only suitable outlet: marriage.<br />
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"Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." – 1 Corinthians 7:8-9</div>
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For those who are already married: it is your job to help your partner in the battle against lust.<br />
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"The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." – 1 Corinthians 7:3-5</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Quotes</span><br />
"A wolf in pursuit tracks down the shepherd, and the spirit of lust tracks down those who fill their belly." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Reflections 17 (Aramaic)</i>.<br />
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"The force of the waves batters a ship without ballast in a storm; the thought of fornication will act similarly on the the intemperate mind." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts II.3</i>.<br />
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"Many people who are tempted by pleasures of the flesh do not sin with the body but lust with the mind; they keep their bodily virginity but lust in their heart...." – Gerontius of Petra, <i>Sayings of the Desert Fathers, V.2</i>.<br />
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"... Nothing troubles the deamon of lust more than laying bare his urgings. Nothing pleases him more than the concealment of the temptation...." – Anonymous, <i>Sayings of the Desert Fathers, V.13</i>.<br />
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"A hermit said, 'Chastity is born of tranquility, and silence, and inner prayer.'" – Anonymous, <i>Sayings of the Desert Fathers, V.25</i>.<br />
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"He who cherishes his stomach and hopes to overcome the spirit of fornication is like one who tries to put out a fire with oil." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 14</i>.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
Early definitions of lust were typically sexually oriented. Many cases of non-sexual lust might belong more appropriately to greed. However, there is a strong precedent for a non-sexual usage of this word (i.e., "a lust for power"). The key idea is intense desire. The Apostle Paul even uses this word in a positive sense when he says, "I desire [lust] to depart and be with Christ" (Philippians 1:23).<br />
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Sex itself is not a sin. Husbands and wives enjoying sexual intimacy as God intended is not lustful in any way. There is simply no such thing as legitimate sexual desire outside of marriage.<br />
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Biblical terminology related to lust includes words like uncleanness, defilement, impurity, pollution, filthiness, etc.<br />
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Did you notice how often the word "initially" appears on this page? Lust is definitely a process. It plants seeds that sprout later. More than any other pattern, lust feeds itself.<br />
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Did Christ ever struggle with lust? Cassian believed that He did not. He reasoned that if Jesus had never sinned, then He never succumbed to gluttony. And if He never fell to gluttony, then the doorway to lust was never opened, making it impossible for Him to be tempted with lust. Cassian still believed Christ was "tempted in all points," but only in those areas where He was "eligible."<br />
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Obviously, Jesus never struggled with any form of temptation which builds upon previous failures. For instance, He was never tempted to lie to get out of another lie. However, Cassian's argument can only be valid if the "gluttony springs from lust" premise is correct, and I am not completely convinced that this is the case.<br />
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## Evil thoughts cut off good thoughts, and good thoughts cut off evil thoughts. If lust can stunt your spiritual growth, then your spiritual growth can stunt lust.</div>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-82138202640101008592013-06-06T13:03:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:35:41.751-04:00The Eight Patterns: Greed<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">... a desire for something more.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" cols="4" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Greed</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-accumulate</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
for something more</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
Greed is all about acquisition. Wealth is the most obvious object of greed, but one can also seek to acquire many other things, such as fame, power, prestige, friends, beauty, knowledge, etc. In contrast to gluttony, greed seeks to accumulate rather than to consume.The problem with greed is not possession, but obsession. The pursuit of a greed-driven goal is almost always more satisfying that actually achieving it. Anxiety is a common fuel for greed. With greed, the ends definitely justifies the means, and all sorts of sinful behavior are deemed acceptable in the quest for more.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
suffocating</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with generosity</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as love of money</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with good stewardship</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
fraud, lying, deceit, idolatry, stealing, ambition, prodigality, miserliness, impertinence</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
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I recently heard a celebrity pose an interesting question on a syndicated talk show. Which of the following options would you prefer: a) one million dollars, or b) two million dollars? Based on the assumption that everyone would choose "B," he claimed to have conclusively proved that more is indeed better.<br />
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But is this really true? Is "more" always better? If "more" is not carefully specified, then there are many circumstances when "more" is clearly worse. For instance, which of the following options would the above-mentioned celebrity prefer: a) no cancerous tumors, or b) one cancerous tumor.<br />
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It is not an issue of simply wanting "more." After all, we were created with desires. God wants us to enjoy full and abundant lives (John 10:10). But when these God-given desires are warped or corrupted by greed, bondage and brutality surely follow.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Comments</span><br />
Greed does not arise from within human nature, but is instead stirred by something outside of it. Cassian said the struggle against greed was "unnatural" and a "foreign warfare."<br />
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Greed is the most versatile pattern and covers the most territory. If it is difficult to match a particular behavior to specific pattern(s), then greed is almost always involved.<br />
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Generally, it is not deemed greed when the object is a necessity (such as food, clothing or shelter). It is possible to incorrectly desire necessities, but then the sin would be either gluttony or vainglory.<br />
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While greed has much in common with its fellow appetite-based patterns (gluttony and lust), there are significant differences. The other appetites are natural, and are consequently opposed by "built-in" barriers, or natural "shut off" points. For instance, one can only eat so much before their body forces them to stop for a while.<br />
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Greed, on the other hand, is an unnatural appetite and has no such "shut off" point. It is much harder to satiate greed. If unopposed, it will grow continuously and be hampered only by a lack of sinful creativity.<br />
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Greed tempts in three ways: 1) hinders a desire to surrender something, 2) fuels a desire to repossess something which has been surrendered, and 3) creates a desire to obtain something one has never before possessed.<br />
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Culture plays a very large part in greed. Certain acts can be greedy in one setting, but not in another.<br />
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Some cultures are less vulnerable to it. As a society becomes more developed, it also becomes more vulnerable to greed. The least greedy nations on earth are also the poorest. And what is true on a national level is also true on an individual level: those with less material wealth tend to be less greedy and more generous.<br />
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When greed is a relatively small threat, then the remaining patterns "take up the slack." Those less troubled by greed will have greater exposure to the other patterns, especially vainglory and pride.<br />
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Greed is a gateway pattern, and the principal stimulus for anger. Because the pursuit of more fails to deliver satisfaction, frustration (the heart of anger) sets in. Several early church fathers (Evagrius and Cassian among them) believed it was even impossible to fall to anger without first falling to greed.<br />
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Greed is the premier excuse generator. Starting small, it offers plausible and sensible reasons for wealth-related activities. In the early stages, these thoughts are not wrong, and might actually be signs of good stewardship. For example:<br />
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"I don't want to a burden to others."<br />
"I want to be prepared for an emergency."<br />
"I need to keep my options open."<br />
"I need something to fall back on."<br />
"There are too many unknowns in my future."<br />
"What will happen to me when I am old?"</div>
<br />
Nevertheless, greed can twist these thoughts into something unhealthy and very dangerous. What started out as noble behavior subtly slides into sin as the goal becomes more important than the method(s). Previously unthinkable actions slowly become thinkable. Lying, stealing, and even gross acts of inhumanity eventually spring from a pattern of recklessly pursuing more.<br />
<br />
Warning: Improperly justifying greedy behavior exposes one to a subtle danger. When people trick themselves into believing that they have done something good, then they are at an increased risk to vainglory (just as if they had genuinely done something good).<br />
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Greed is a pit where the walls grow steeper as one sinks deeper into it. It intensifies and diversifies as it progresses with each step leading to greater degrees of self-blinding bondage.<br />
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Greed causes one to care less and less about virtue. Eventually, it will destroy the concern someone might have for even a shadow of godliness. Hypocrisy is rarely found in the advanced stages of greed.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
<a href="http://evagrius.net/remedy.htm" style="color: black;">ASPIRE</a>.<br />
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Start young. A proper and strong foundation is the most effective guardian against greed. Once permitted to get its foot in the door, it becomes a very nasty and persistent houseguest. It will not leave easily. You are never too old to resist greed, but the longer you wait, the more difficult the struggle will be.<br />
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Share. The basic remedy for greed is fairly and straightforward – be generous. Patience and humility are two other virtues that effectively counteract greed (and are helpful in reducing anger and sadness as well).<br />
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Learn from others. Greed may be the most creative pattern, but generosity just might be the most creative virtue. Study the lives of those saints who appeared to be fairly resistant to greed, such as Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, the Apostles, members of the early church, Paul, and (of course) Jesus. Apparently, they lived a relatively material-free, unencumbered lifestyle. There are negative examples as well: Nabal, Solomon, Ahab, Gehazi, and many others.<br />
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Avoid accumulation. Limit the quantity and quality of your possessions. Doing so gives greed less raw material with which to work.<br />
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Recognize the difference between "enough" and "more than enough." It is possible to possess too much. It is also possible <i>to want</i> to possess too much. Both are forms of greed.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Renunciation</span><br />
In developing this material, I have tweaked each definition to varying degrees (such as expanding gluttony to include non-food issues). These changes are nowhere else more evident than in this section on greed. Evagrius, writing from a monastic perspective to a monastic audience, had relatively little to say about greed for those who did not take a vow of poverty. For this reason, some critical adjustments were necessary because of the difference in audiences.<br />
<br />
Life in a monastery absolutely required a vow of poverty. I deeply admire and respect those who make this completely valid decision. I firmly believe that God still calls some to bear a burden of poverty. Renunciation is much less common today than it was during the time of Evagrius and Cassian; however, it remains a valid option and worthy of some consideration.<br />
<br />
Greed can actually be renounced with a single act by taking a vow of poverty. While such an extreme measure is almost always unnecessary, consider what you are willing to sacrifice for victory. If you unconditionally refuse to even consider this option, then you are limiting God's ability to work in your life. Much like a boat in a storm, there comes a point when the danger is so great that the crew is willing to throw everything overboard in an effort to save themselves. For some, greed may pose such a severe problem that a "throw it all overboard" approach is warranted.<br />
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I also believe God calls some to shoulder the burden of wealth. Scripture even appears to teach that wealth is the greater burden. For example, God gave great wealth to Solomon, and there is no sound reason to believe God wanted him to renounce it for a life of poverty. Unfortunately, he failed to live up to his responsibilities. Those who handled their wealth without apparent greed-related problems include Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Boaz, Josiah, and others.<br />
<br />
Scripture teaches that it is more blessed to give than to receive, but this does mean that receiving is wrong. It even implies that receiving is itself a blessed thing (albeit less blessed than giving). Being a receiver can teach valuable lessons such as how to be humble and gracious.<br />
<br />
Suppose that a man wrestling with lust owned a large pornography collection. He should destroy the material rather than selling it or giving it away. It would be irresponsible for him to saddle another man with his inherently evil burden. However, wealth is an altogether different creature, and it would be irresponsible to destroy morally-neutral resources. The proper response to greed is to distribute the excess. Money is not intrinsically evil, but the love of it is.<<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><br />
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Greed is a pattern of empty promises, unhappiness and restlessness that mercilessly devours its victims.<br />
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"Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it." – Proverbs 1:19<br />
<br />
"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell." – Proverbs 11:24-26<br />
<br />
"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" – Ecclesiastes 5:10-11</div>
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<br />
Generosity is a virtue of sure promises, unimaginable happiness and peaceful contentment.<br />
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"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." – Proverbs 22:1<br />
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"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. 'Eat and drink,' he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments." – Proverbs 23:4-8<br />
<br />
"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." – Proverbs 30:8-9<br />
<br />
"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.<br />
<br />
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." – 1 Timothy 6:3-10<br />
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"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" – Hebrews 13:5</div>
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Recognize the principle of stewardship. God blesses us so that we may in turn bless others. He wants us to share with others what He has given to us. Honor God's trust in you by thinking of others and ministering to those in need.<br />
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"Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain." – Psalm 119:36<br />
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"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow' -- when you now have it with you." – Proverbs 3:27-28<br />
<br />
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" – Isaiah 58:6-7<br />
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"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." – Matthew 5:42<br />
<br />
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." – Romans 12:6-8<br />
<br />
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." – 1 John 3:17-18</div>
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God rewards generosity proportionately.<br />
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"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'" – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9</div>
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<br />
You cannot focus on both greed and God. They directly compete for your attention, and God does not enjoy coming in second for your affections.<br />
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"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." – Matthew 6:19-21, 24<br />
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." – Colossians 3:5-6</div>
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<br />
Do not justify greed with "spiritual" excuses. The Pharisees taught it was acceptable to dedicate your wealth to God (which sounds good), but this soon became an excuse for failing to help needy parents (i.e., "Sorry, Dad, but I can't give this money to you because it has already been dedicated to God.").<br />
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"But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." – Mark 7:11-13</div>
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Greed renders prayer powerless.<br />
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"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." – James 4:1-3</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Quotes</span><br />
"The houses of the greedy are filled with the beasts of anger and the birds of sadness will rest in them." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Reflections 18 (Aramaic)</i>.<br />
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"Just as it is possibleto think of water both while thirsty and while not thirsty, so it is possible to think of gold with greed and without greed." – Evagrius Ponticus,<i>Discrimination 4</i>.<br />
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"The sea is never filled up even though it takes in a multitude of rivers; the desire of the avaricious person cannot get its fill of riches. He doubled his wealth and wants to double it again, and he does not stop doubling it until death puts a stop to his endless zeal." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts III.8</i>.<br />
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"With the increase of wealth, the mania of covetousness increases." – John Cassian, <i>Institute VII.7</i>.<br />
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"The love of money is the root of all evils because it produces hatred, theft, envy, separation, enmity, storminess, remembrance of wrong, hard-heartedness, and murder." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 16</i>.<br />
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"He who has tasted the things on high easily despises what is below, but he who has not tasted the things above finds joy in possessions." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 17</i>.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) are occasionally cited as examples of greed, but I believe they are better examples of how the patterns interact with and feed each other. In addition to greed, they were also vainglorious as evidenced by their desire for others to think they were exceptionally generous. Greed was part of their problem, but not all of it.<br />
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Regarding the temptation of Christ in the wilderness: Evagrius thought Satan used greed when he offered to give Jesus the whole earth in exchange for worship. Cassian thought this particular temptation was one of pride.<br />
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In the case of a monk, greed only strikes when one or more of the following conditions are met:<br />
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1) their mind is corrupt and/or sluggish,<br />
2) their initial renunciation was faulty, and/or<br />
3) their love for God is lukewarm.</div>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-85366621220147528292013-06-05T13:04:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:36:13.124-04:00The Eight Patterns: Sadness<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">... a desire for something else.</span><br />
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<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" cols="4" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#CD853F" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Sadness</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-estimate</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
for something else</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
The basic idea behind this type of sadness is that of ungodly grief or worldly discontentment. It is not to be confused with sorrow, which can actually be helpful.Unlike a greedy person who wants something then tries to acquire it, a sad person is not satisfied with what they already have. They believe that the grass is greener just about anywhere else. They feel as if they are "missing out" on something, even when that "something" is hard to define. From here, it is a short trip to being bitter and resentful towards God.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
despairing</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with hope</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as not applicable</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with sorrow</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
dissatisfaction, dejection, depression, paranoia, grief, anxiety, pity, resentment, bitterness, cowardice, gloominess, regret, criticalness</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
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Do you remember this Sesame Street classic? "One of these things is not like the others. / One of these things just doesn't belong. / Can you tell which thing is not like the others / By the time I finish my song?" Many of those who have studied the list of eight patterns wonder why sadness is included. They might say that it "just doesn't belong." This is unfortunate, because ...<br />
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<br />
I just couldn't finish the above introduction. Writer's block set in as I searched the net for the lyrics to the song. I thought this would be an effective way to introduce an article on sadness, but I was disappointed to find that so many others had already used this "original" idea to introduce their own articles. A once promising idea quickly became an unsatisfactory one. I soon despaired of ever writing a suitable introduction.<br />
<br />
This (slightly) exaggerated example illuminates the heart of sadness: disappointment, dissatisfaction, dejection, and despair. It may not sound like a serious problem by itself, but it contributes to a wide range of problems by making you more vulnerable. Showing sadness is an effective way of drawing unwanted attention in the realm of spiritual warfare.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Comments</span><br />
This is a "double internal" pattern. In terms of provocation and manifestation, this means it springs from within a person and can be committed without any overt physical behavior.<br />
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Sadness springs from one of two possible sources and leads to a myriad of problems. The first source is some form of frustration, such as anger, injustice, personal loss, unrealized goals, or unmet expectations. It leads to bitterness and/or resentment. The other primary source of sadness is anxiety as manifested by unreasonable fear, which can lead to grief, shame, regret, cowardice, despair, and especially acedia.<br />
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Sadness ruins and depresses the mind. It reduces its victims by robbing them of many immaterial qualities, including (but not limited to) joy, comfort, contentment, gentleness, patience, teachability, steadfastness, and reliability.<br />
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While none of the patterns are capable of delivering genuine pleasure, sadness is the only pattern that does not promise even a hint of happiness. There are no forbidden fruits or guilty pleasures in the pit of sadness.<br />
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The widespread devastation wrought by sadness claims more innocent victims than any other pattern. When sadness directly attacks one person, it indirectly impacts the lives of everyone who is close to the initial victim. Those who are closer to the center of the problem will suffer more. Sadness is so dangerous because it undermines the very relationships that can be most helpful to a successful recovery.<br />
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Sadness is unpredictable. These temptations strike in an almost random fashion. If you don't succumb to it in one situation, there might be some time before it comes back. This is very different from the appetite patterns, such as lust, which can be relentless and very predictable.<br />
<br />
To compare sadness and lust, imagine each of them as prizefighters. Lust would be a heavyweight that stands toe-to-toe and repeatedly throws hard body punches. Sadness, on the other hand, is content to occasionally jab and feint while waiting patiently for an opportunity to deliver a crushing blow.<br />
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Sadness is so effective because it looks so harmless. The initial thoughts are often valid (for example, being disappointed because something did not turn out as expected). However, if these valid thoughts of disappointment are cultivated, then they will be replaced with inappropriate thoughts of dissatisfaction. As it becomes ingrained in the heart and mind, sadness produces bitterness and many other unsavory fruits.<br />
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Spectacular failure is never sudden, but is a drawn-out process. Sadness can stay hidden for a very long time. It also effectively conceals the movements of patterns that are more direct causes of spiritual catastrophes.<br />
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Sadness can be compared to a moth. Given enough time, this little creature can destroy an article of clothing. The garment is gradually damaged until it eventually becomes useless and worthless. The destruction is often not even noticed until the garment is needed, but by then the damage has already been done. Likewise, sadness gradually reduces its victims until they are paralyzed into inaction.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
<a href="http://evagrius.net/remedy.htm" style="color: black;">ASPIRE</a>. Sadness is the single greatest obstacle to ASPIRE. Because it primarily infects your thought life, it is extremely distracting when you try to practice the spiritual disciplines. Any contemplative behavior will be especially difficult.<br />
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Let go of the past. Sadness is the ultimate "playback machine" because it dredges up unhealthy memories of the past. Sometimes the past is incorrectly, yet fondly, remembered as a "Golden Age" of some kind. Prior failures and weakness can also be recalled, only to produce shame and guilt. The past contributes heavily to development of sadness.<br />
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Your perceptions are vital. Unreasonable expectations may cause you to think that you are a failure or a weakling when, in fact, that <i>might</i> not be true. Shame and guilt open the door to sadness, even if they are completely illegitimate.<br />
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God has promised to forgive those who seek it. If you have asked for forgiveness, then you are truly forgiven. On the basis of His promises, accept that forgiveness and move forward.<br />
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Dwelling on the past is not the only significant contributor to sadness. Obsession with the future can do the trick as well. It is easy to get caught up in worrying about the future, particularly the end times. Choosing to study Biblical teachings about the future is great, and should be a source of comfort. If it is not comforting, then you are doing something wrong.<br />
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Check your appetites. If they are in check, then sadness has no room to operate. Because sadness revolves around being deprived of something desired, then eliminating or reducing the amount of desires reduces the potential for sadness.<br />
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For instance, greed promises happiness if you acquire a certain something. When the promised happiness fails to materialize, then sadness sets in. If the initial greed were successfully resisted, then sadness would have never had an opportunity to strike.<br />
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Prepare to suffer. Christians are called to bear some very heavy burdens. "Long-suffering" (which literally means "to suffer for a long time") is a Christ-like virtue which describes how we should respond to these burdens. Sadness is frequently an illegitimate response to legitimate problems. More often than not, the reason for sadness is very legitimate. Do not allow yourself to be crippled or rendered useless.<br />
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Recognize sadness as an indicator of growth. This is an advanced pattern. Weaker and less mature Christians are not subjected to it nearly as often because they fall much more quickly and easily to the appetites. Spiritual success invites ungodly attention, and sadness is reserved for those who are greater threats to the forces of ungodliness.<br />
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Victory over sadness powerfully equips you to be more successful combating the other patterns. Temptations of sadness offer spectacular opportunities for growth if we are not overwhelmed.<br />
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A very subtle form of sadness promotes a fear of spiritual growth. It sometimes looks like this: "If I grow spiritually, then I am going to be responsible for everything I learn. Sure, it will benefit me some, but I will also have greater liability. I don't want to grow too much." Perhaps this person is afraid that if he continues to grow then God will send him to Africa as a missionary or give him some other super-spiritual, ultra-difficult task. This is faulty reasoning! God is not waiting for you to cross some mystical spiritual boundary just so He can then make you miserable. Growing closer to God is always better than every other alternative.<br />
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Treasure community. A typical response to sadness is retreat. This is unhealthy and greatly compounds the problem. When you struggle with sadness, you absolutely need a friendly shoulder. Victory over sadness cannot be found apart from the comfort and encouragement provided by God through His children.<br />
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A leading cause of sadness stems from being the source of someone else's difficulties (whether intentionally or inadvertently). If you have ever caused a fellow Christian to stumble, or have somehow played a role in causing them to experience pain or failure, then your actions will haunt you. In addition to confessing your sin to God, seek forgiveness from your victim and attempt to make restitution.<br />
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People are most susceptible to sadness when they feel unappreciated or if they think they have been called upon to sacrifice too much. We must always watch out for each other and continually be a source and recipient of encouragement.<br />
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Treat sadness as if it were a contagious disease. As noted above, it easily inflicts harm on those close to it. Not only should you avoid infecting others, but take care not to get infected by others.<br />
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With the other patterns, accountability partners sharing a mutual problem can be helpful to each other. For example, when two people are struggling with pride, they might be able to effectively encourage each other to victory. This is not true with sadness, which can turn a partner into a liability. If both are prone to sadness, then it is difficult for either to be genuinely helpful. They are more likely to make each other's condition worse. If your partner is vulnerable to sadness, then you should seek encouragement from someone else who is not afflicted by it.<br />
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Don't let "unanswered" prayer be a source of sadness. Many people get upset with God because He does not answer their prayers. What they fail to recognize is that "no" and "later" are perfectly valid answers to prayer. Expecting God to perform tricks on demand is dangerous and unreasonable. He knows what is best, and will never answer a prayer against His best judgment. Don't become angry or embittered if He chooses to handle your requests in a way different than you expect.<br />
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Sing! Appropriate music does more than soothe a savage beast – it restores the troubled soul. Flip through a church hymnal or browse the music section of a local Christian bookstore. This is a very safe way to receive encouragement without exposing others to your sadness.<br />
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Shut up. As sadness progresses, it is very tempting to talk to yourself. You can be your own worst enemy in the war against sadness. Don't fuel your sadness. Don't allow yourself to entertain any of the following thoughts:<br />
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"Why bother?"<br />
"It's not worth it."<br />
"It is only going to get worse."<br />
"I can't win."<br />
"Why is it always me?"<br />
"God isn't listening."</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Godly Sorrow</span><br />
Understand sorrow. Sadness is so poorly understood because it is often confused with sorrow. Satan has done an effective job of camouflaging sadness in this way. While they may appear to be similar, they are very different.<br />
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Godly sorrow is characterized by obedience, civility, humility, kindness, gentleness, patience, joy, and hope. It serves a valuable purpose, such as prodding you to seek forgiveness, goading you to pursue spiritual maturity, or motivating you to plan for a bright future. The Holy Spirit uses it as He produces His fruit in your life. It also helpfully tempers righteous indignation (a godly form of "anger") and restores godly perspective (which is often damaged by all of the patterns).<br />
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On the other hand, ungodly sorrow lacks these important virtues and hinders the productive work of the Holy Spirit. It robs you of purpose and hope, destroys your ability to focus and persevere, and it will weaken and cripple your ability to function in everyday life. This type of sorrow must always be rejected and resisted.<br />
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Sorrow is like a viper. When practiced properly, it is good and healthy. It can even be used in small doses (it should always be a temporary condition) like an antivenin to inoculate you against sadness. Too much sorrow or improper use of it can be deadly.<br />
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David and Job are poignant examples of those who struggled with extreme sadness.<br />
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"Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help in his distress. Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me. I go about blackened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help. I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of owls. My skin grows black and peels; my body burns with fever. My harp is tuned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of wailing." – Job 30:24-31<br />
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"Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends -- those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life." – Psalm 31:9-13</div>
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Sadness will tempt you to think that you are alone. This is ridiculous – God is always there with His children, and He will never abandon them.<br />
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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." – Joshua 1:9<br />
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"The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident." – Psalm 27:1-3</div>
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Maintain perspective. In light of eternity, difficulties are merely temporary and always conquerable.<br />
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"Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." – Psalm 30:4-5<br />
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"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." – 1 Corinthians 10:13</div>
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Those who wisely trust God and love His Word will find those things that sadness steals away: peace and stability.<br />
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"The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous." – Psalm 37:14-17<br />
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"Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise to ask such questions." – Ecclesiastes 7:10<br />
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"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." – Psalm 55:22<br />
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"Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." – Psalm 119:165</div>
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Sadness injures the heart of man.<br />
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"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." – Proverbs 17:22<br />
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"Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." – Proverbs 25:20</div>
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Suffering is real and inevitable for the maturing Christian. It is also an opportunity for growth and an occasion for great reward. Remember that God understands your plight and knows what you are going through.<br />
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"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." – Romans 8:18<br />
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"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." – 2 Corinthians 1:8-11<br />
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"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." – 1 Peter 3:13-17</div>
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Godly sorrow restores, but ungodly sorrow overwhelms.<br />
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"If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent-not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him." – 2 Corinthians 2:5-8<br />
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"Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it -- I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while -- yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged." – 2 Corinthians 7:8-13</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Quotes</span><br />
"Alone among the thoughts, those of sadness are destructive of all the other thoughts." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Reflections 61</i>.<br />
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"Fetters on the feet are an impediment to running; sadness is an impediment to contemplation." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts, V.7</i>.<br />
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"... Sadness is a disease of the soul and the flesh; it takes the former captive and it withers the latter on the spot ... he who endures sadness in suffering unjustly will experience a radiant gladness, for the future will be the opposite of the present." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>To Eulogious 7</i>.<br />
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"When we are in trouble or despair or have lost hope, we should do what David did: pour out our hearts to God and tell Him of our needs and troubles, just as they are. It is because He can deal with us wisely that we confess to God: He can make our troubles easy to bear, if this is for our benefit, and can save us from the dejection which destroys and corrupts." – Hesychios the Priest, <i>Watchfulness and Holiness 135</i>.<br />
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"Despondency is a paralysis of soul, an enervation of the mind, neglect of asceticism, and hatred of the vow made. It calls those who are in the world blessed. It accuses God of being merciless and without love for men." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 13</i>.<br />
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"Spiritual heroes come to light at the time of despondency, for nothing procures so many crowns for a monk as the battle with despondency." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 13</i>.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
The original term for sadness is often translated into English as "dejection."<br />
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Monks usually chose to pursue ascetic living in one of two ways: as a hermit (also known as anchoritic or solitary monks) or in a commune (also known as coenobitic monks). The hermits were considered to be much more vulnerable to sadness than those living in a monastery.<br />
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Sadness is frequently omitted from later revisions of the list because many consider it to be the least deadly of this group of eight patterns. But just because it is the least harmful does not mean it is harmless. It is like comparing species of shark, be it great white, hammerhead, mako, thresher, tiger, etc. You do not want any of them to sink their teeth in you.<br />
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Be careful to distinguish sadness from reverence. It is perfectly valid to be sober and overwhelmed by the presence of God. The gap between God and man is indeed great, but it should never lead us to sadness. The Creator loves us and has chosen to bridge that gap to save us. Should we be overwhelmed? Yes, but joyfully so.</div>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-3991320074991891722013-06-04T13:05:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:28:58.699-04:00The Eight Patterns: Acedia<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">... a desire for something less.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" cols="4" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Acedia</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-accommodate</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
for something less</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
It is difficult to adequately translate the Greek word "acedia" into English. Sloth, implying simple laziness, is too narrow, but it is much more acceptable than many of the cryptic alternatives offered in the dictionary (such as ennui, torpor, languor or hebetude).<br />
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As the most religious of the patterns, it is better described as a spiritual sluggishness. It is a creeping, spreading apathy that saps strength and motivation. The resulting weariness leads to lower standards and a willingness to settle for less. Faith appears increasingly futile as one falls into a downward, ever-widening spiral of spiritual emptiness.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
serious</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with zeal</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as sloth, laziness</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with relaxation, rest</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
laziness, indolence, apathy, lethargy, despair, joylessness, indifference, willful ignorance, pettiness, listlessness</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
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Are you as godly as you can be? Are you as generous as possible? Do you pray as much as you should? Have you learned everything you can from God's Word? Could you be more encouraging to your Christian brothers and sisters? Can you do more than you are doing right now? If you are humble and honest, then you must answer these questions negatively. There is always room to improve.<br />
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What about those who do not want to improve? Is it wrong to have no desire to grow spiritually? Is it a sin to be satisfied with the status quo?<br />
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It is not at all sinful to need improvement. Yet you are treading in dangerous territory when the idea of progress causes you to feel discouraged or overwhelmed. Acedia is "a weariness or distress of the heart" that is the primary source of burnout and backsliding.<br />
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<span class="fsection" face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Comments</span><br />
Acedia is quite similar to, yet quite different from, sadness. Sadness despairs of having the ability to change, while acedia lacks the very desire for change. Sadness cripples with unwarranted discontentment, whereas acedia cripples with unwarranted contentment.<br />
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Acedia is not at all a source pattern, but a terminal point. Most of the other patterns significantly contribute to sadness or anger, which in turn are the two primary sources for acedia. In a roundabout way, every temptation eventually leads to acedia.<br />
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Acedia begins as an internal challenge to a person's standards and expectations. It encourages one to do less, then tries to justify unfinished business by labeling it as unimportant or unnecessary. Eventually, standards are compromised to be made compatible with the new level of (in)activity. As standards are lowered, previously unacceptable behavior gradually becomes acceptable. So, while acedia is not a source pattern per se, it permits the other patterns to further develop without directly fueling them.<br />
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Most patterns are generally limited to a specific area, such as gluttony, which is largely focused on food-related issues. Lust is mostly about sex, greed is mostly about wealth, etc. These temptations can spill into other areas, but most often stay within their own domain. Acedia knows no such boundaries and touches every facet of life.<br />
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When coupled with another pattern, acedia is deadly. For example, lust causes shame, which might eventually prompt one to seek help and victory; however, acedia works against this by sabotaging both the desire to change and the standards for personal conduct. As lustful appetites increase, behavior will become more depraved and perverse. Whatever barriers might impede this downward slide are eroded by acedia.<br />
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Acedia strikes like a battering ram, forcefully and persistently. Each successful blow deals greater damage, which structurally weakens you for the next blow. Acedia is also like a shark. Once it sniffs blood, it becomes relentless. Failure in this struggle invites greater temptation and increases the likelihood of greater injury.<br />
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Byproducts of acedia include <i>dislike</i> (with regard to where you are), <i>disgust</i> (with regard to what you have), and <i>disdain</i> (with regard to who you know).<br />
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Acedia results in two types of behavior: idleness and flight.<br />
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<i>Idleness</i> causes its victims to be distracted as they become increasingly entangled with the things of the world. They are more likely to have difficulty concentrating on specific tasks and are easily sidetracked by their immediate circumstances. For instance, they might blame their sluggishness on the temperature ("It's too hot!"), minor physical discomfort ("I have a headache."), the time of day, etc. Their inability to stick with a task makes them unreliable and undisciplined. They are prone to be "clock watchers" who are difficult to instruct or predict. They generally avoid conflict in an effort to avoid work, not because they desire peace. They are also strangers to longsuffering. Their flight response causes more problems than it solves (or avoids) and leads to awkwardness, cowardice, and fear.<br />
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<i>Flight</i> causes its victims to be restless, rebellious, and undisciplined. They are prone to be "clock watchers" who are difficult to instruct or predict. They generally avoid conflict in an effort to avoid work, not because they desire peace. They are also strangers to longsuffering. Their flight response causes more problems than it solves (or avoids) and leads to awkwardness, cowardice, and fear.</div>
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<span class="fsection" face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
ASPIRE. Focus on prayer and Scripture.<br />
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Be prepared for a long struggle. Victory over acedia is a process. There are no legitimate "get rich quick" schemes to spiritual success, especially with regard to acedia.<br />
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Want it. This is one of the most difficult patterns to defeat because acedia attacks your godly desires. You will never unintentionally or accidentally score a victory on this battlefield.<br />
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Do something. Anything! Zeal is the virtue that opposes acedia. Do something that requires passion.<br />
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Eliminate the word "tomorrow" from your vocabulary. Those suffering from acedia often enjoy planning and dreaming, but consistently fail to implement their plans. They are great intenders.<br />
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Sluggards are not opposed to activity, but their timetable for action is pushed back from "today" to "some day." They will habitually complain about their (in)ability to contribute, but justify it by blaming something outside of their control. Thus, they "want" to do more, but they cannot do anything until fictional and impossible criteria are met.<br />
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Discard double standards. Christians afflicted with acedia are known by their persistent complaints about fellow Christians. They hold their brothers and sisters in faith to unreasonably high standards. This is ironic, because as they raise the bar for others, they simultaneously lower it for themselves.<br />
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Sweat. In relation to manual labor, acedia equals laziness and lethargy. Sluggards are slow to start, quick to tire, and unlikely to finish a given task. They fail to see physical exertion as a valuable opportunity to experience a sense of accomplishment. Work is not dirty, sinful or wrong.<br />
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Even "pointless" manual labor is better than idleness. It would be better to dig a hole then immediately refill it than to do nothing at all. Obviously, it would be better to do manual labor that has a more lasting benefit, but anything that stimulates the sweat glands will combat acedia.<br />
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If you are trying to find some meaningful work to do, then pray and/or read the Bible for a full, uninterrupted hour. It will be very hard work, and you will face many distractions, but every victory won in this arena will make you stronger and more alert for the future.<br />
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Be encouraged by being an encouragement. Whenever you sharpen someone else, you will be sharpened as well, so take responsibility for someone else's burden. This will place it on your own shoulders, but somebody has to bear it, and whoever does so will benefit from it.<br />
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Adjust your expectations. Acedia hints that someone else will always pick up the slack. A sure sign that you have inappropriate expectations is if you routinely feel that "everything always seems to work out regardless of what I do."<br />
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Study others. Read the biographies of those who have accomplished much. Good stories are inspiring, and being inspired is a step in the right direction. A great place to start is the Apostle Paul. Not only is he a great example and worthy of imitation (see 1 Corinthians 11:1), but you will also be studying the Bible in the process. The experienced sluggard will notice that this is a great way to implement two remedy suggestions at the same time! :)<br />
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Be careful not to choose a bad example. If your standards are too low (a common symptom of acedia), then someone might incorrectly appear to be a good example. Bad examples almost always teach new ways to justify acedia, thus doing more harm than good.<br />
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Note: An accountability partner can be helpful in this struggle, but only if they are free from acedia. Like gluttons, sluggards love company, tend to negatively impact those around them, and are incapable of providing reliable spiritual direction. With regards to this pattern, a weak accountability partner is actually a liability partner.<br />
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Remember. Acedia causes you to forget the past, particularly positive experiences, spiritual victories, truths learned and understood, etc. "Use it or lose it" definitely applies to spiritual knowledge. To combat this, keep a journal or record milestones on the inside cover of your Bible, and regularly reread what you write.<br />
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<span class="fsection" face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Apathy and Erosion</span><br />
Acedia does not begin as an issue of "not caring at all." More correctly, it starts as a problem of "not caring enough." Eventually, it will lead to complete apathy, but not without following a fairly predictable process of erosion.<br />
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As Christians age, they should mature. They must press forward and upward.<sup>1</sup> The initial temptation with acedia is a simple willingness to make less progress than one is capable of making.<sup>2</sup> From there, it is quite easy to become satisfied with the current situation<sup>3</sup> and growth slows down considerably or stops altogether.<sup>4</sup> This leads to an unwillingness to seek the former degree of progress, and introduces a willingness to "temporarily" regress.<sup>5</sup> To make this transition palatable, personal standards must be adjusted downwards to accommodate the new level of what is now deemed appropriate.<sup>6</sup> The erosion process enters its most advanced stage once it develops into an unwillingness to stop the downward slide.<sup>7</sup></div>
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Indeed, acedia is one of the leading causes of spiritual immaturity. It is quite impossible to become spiritually mature while enslaved to it. Fortunately, as Christians grow spiritually and experience the benefits of maturity, they will become more unwilling to settle for less. This pattern loses some of its appeal with every upward step.</span><br />
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<span class="fsection" face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Acedia decreases usefulness, diminishes fruitfulness, destroys reputations, deepens shame and discourages others from offering assistance.</span><br />
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"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." – Proverbs 6:6-11<br />
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"As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him." – Proverbs 10:26<br />
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"Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor." – Proverbs 12:24<br />
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"The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway." – Proverbs 15:19<br />
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"One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys." – Proverbs 18:9<br />
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"Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry." – Proverbs 19:15<br />
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"A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing." – Proverbs 20:4<br />
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"The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!' As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly." – Proverbs 26:13-16<br />
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"He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty." – Proverbs 28:19<br />
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"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. ... For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work , he shall not eat.' We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ... If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed." – 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-11, 14</div>
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Early Church Fathers identified acedia as "the noonday devil" (following an early Latin translation of the Bible). Midday sluggishness is a well-known phenomenon.</span><br />
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"His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night, of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil." – Psalms 90:5-6, Douay-Rheims Bible</div>
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Acedia is closely related to sadness. Notice that the soul, and not the body, is wearied.</span><br />
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"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." – Psalm 119:28</div>
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Sluggards are easily offended, and once offended, they become difficult to instruct. The Apostle Paul counseled those with acedia by initially stating something positive before correcting them.</span><br />
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"Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more." – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10</div>
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Sluggards would do well to remember that everyone is responsible for their actions. Service will be rewarded, and dereliction of duty will not.</span><br />
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"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." – Proverbs 13:4<br />
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"The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work." – Proverbs 21:25<br />
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"For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." – Proverbs 23:21<br />
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"I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." – Proverbs 24:30-34<br />
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"If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks." – Ecclesiastes 10:18<br />
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"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." – 2 Corinthians 5:10<br />
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"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." – Galatians 6:9</div>
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Those afflicted with "a spirit of stupor" tend to be cynical, hypercritical, and insensitive.</span><br />
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"What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.' And David says: 'May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.'" – Romans 11:7-10</div>
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">"Set your slave to work, and you will find rest; leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty. Yoke and thong will bow the neck, and for a wicked servant there are racks and tortures. Put him to work, that he may not be idle, for idleness teaches much evil. Set him to work, as is fitting for him, and if he does not obey, make his fetters heavy." – Sirach 33:25-28</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">"The monk afflicted with acedia is lazy in prayer and will not even say the words of a prayer. As a sick person cannot carry about a heavy burden, so the person afflicted by acedia will not perform a work of God with diligence. The former has lost the strength of his body and the latter has dissipated the exertions of his soul." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Eight Thoughts, VI.16</i><span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">"A friend according to God flows with milk and honey in his true words, but the lazy soul will not have such a one as a friend." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Maxims III.22-23</i><span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">"A fit of accidie should not be evaded by running away from it, but overcome by resisting it." – Attributed to Abbot Moses by John Cassian, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Institute X.25</i><span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">"Approach the sluggard with the severity of a judge and the affection of a father. May your words be delivered with sternness and authority while tempered with kindness and gentleness." – adapted from John Cassian, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Institute X.16</i><span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">"The soul overcome by listlessness is manifestly also possessed by lack of faith. It is on account of this that it lets day after day go by without heeding the Gospels. Not paying attention to the inner warfare, it is taken captive by conceit and frequently elated by dreams. Conceit blinds the soul, not letting it perceive its own weakness." – Macarius the Great of Egypt, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Paraphrase of the Homilies of St. Makarios of Egypt by Symeon Metaphrastis, III.49</i><span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">.</span><br />
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<span class="fsection" face="Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">According to the American Heritage Dictionary, it is pronounced "ah-see-dee-uh." An older, alternate spelling is accidie.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">In </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">A Letter to Nicholas the Solitary</i><span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">, Mark the Ascetic (early fifth century) asserts that there are "three powerful and mighty giants" among the vices: ignorance, forgetfulness, and laziness. They support and strengthen the patterns of impure thought, and are regarded as the chief leaders of Satan's army. All three of these giants are forms of acedia.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">In addition to the forms mentioned in the above capsule, the spirit of acedia is also found in unimaginativeness, sleepiness, rudeness, restlessness, wanderings, instability, chattiness, inquisitiveness, and a desire for novelty.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Acedia was often confused with sadness, and even combined with it in the most popular revision of the list (the Seven Deadly Sins). The resulting "deadly sin" was sloth, which is quite unfortunate.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Sloth covers only a portion of the territory of acedia, and to combine it with sadness results in an even bigger reduction. It would be like combining the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and naming it "The Great Salt Lake." Many things previously accounted for by Evagrius in two separate patterns are no longer contained within the later list of deadly sins.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Among monks, acedia was regarded as a more serious threat to those in solitary settings (such as hermits) as opposed to those who lived in a communal environment (such as a monastery).</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Idle and useless prayer, a key symptom of acedia, indicates that lust and/or anger (patterns of distraction) are also at work.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Acedia is not all compatible with righteous indignation.</span><br />
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<span face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px;">Acedia has been called the most religious of the patterns, which raises an interesting question: can unbelievers be tempted by it? After all, how can someone be spiritually sluggish if they are not even spiritually alive? Unbelievers may be susceptible to certain forms of it, but Christians are exposed to every possible variety of acedia.</span>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-46529867802839887012013-06-03T13:04:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:30:14.648-04:00The Eight Patterns: Anger<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">... a desire for something "right."</span><br />
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<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" cols="4" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#FF0000" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Anger</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-react</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
for something "right"</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
Fire, a frequently used metaphor for anger (as in "hot-headed"), aptly illustrates the danger of this pattern. While it is not always a sin to be angry, anger always creates an opportunity for further trouble. Whereas righteous anger never acts rashly, excessively or inappropriately, impure anger is characterized by impaired judgment.Anger is often fueled by a desire to correct a perceived injustice or to accomplish a specific purpose. Even when the injustice is real or the purpose is noble, anger can still have devastating consequences. It can be easy to justify, yet difficult to control.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
fierce</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with kindness</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as wrath, rage</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with righteous indignation</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
vengeance, irritability, pugnacity, jealousy, murder, disruptiveness, impatience, irreconcilability, contradiction</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
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Imagine the following situations: Your favorite team loses badly in the playoffs. You get a paper cut while filling out a tax form. A dog digs a hole in your front yard. Someone cuts in front of you in the lunch line. A coworker makes a blatantly racist remark. A television program mocks your religious beliefs. A neighbor falsely accuses you of stealing. A stranger threatens to harm your child.<br />
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There are a virtually unlimited number of things that frustrate, irritate, and/or disappoint us. Sometimes these issues are trivial, while other times they are quite legitimate. They are often beyond our control, and they almost always provoke a response. How should you respond when goaded by the spirit of anger? Will you walk away from the problem or spring into action? If you act, will you seek God-honoring justice or pursue self-serving revenge?<br />
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The potential for anger is present within everyone, which would make this a natural pattern. However, it can also be considered an unnatural pattern, because it is provoked by things and/or events outside of one's created, human nature.<br />
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Anger is an exclusive pattern. It is difficult to distract those who are intently focused on their anger. They tend to focus their every resource towards achieving satisfaction.<br />
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An angry spirit and a teachable spirit are mutually exclusive. Likewise, an angry spirit cannot coexist with the spirits of generosity, humility, longsuffering, wisdom and love. Even the grip of the other patterns is weakened in the presence of intense anger. Anyone who believes they can grow spiritually while harboring unresolved anger is a fool.<br />
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Anger is fairly straightforward. One can often identify it as problematic in other people, yet be blind to it in their own life. It is easy to justify, but difficult to avoid. As a process, anger moves faster than the other patterns, and rapidly leads to a variety of extreme and unpredictable activity. The spark that ignites anger is often trivial, but the devastating consequences are not.<br />
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Anger is the octopus of patterns. Its many tentacles touch every other pattern. While it is most often considered a "follower" pattern, it also serves as powerful fuel for each of the other patterns.<br />
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The most common interrelationships between anger and other patterns is that it consistently follows frustrated greed and regularly leads to inflated sadness.<br />
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Anger is manifested in three forms, each of which may be illustrated by a type of fire:<br />
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1) an internal rage, which is like a fire in a fireplace (must be tended, generally contained)<br />
2) an external outburst, which is like a lightning strike (quick to strike and dissipate, can be very deadly)<br />
3) a persistent obsession, which is like a pilot light (always on, often unnoticed, capable of starting a bigger fire)</div>
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Anger impairs your judgment, hampers your perception, reduces your sense of purpose, and damages your capacity for godly living. It turns you into a fool, makes you less likely to listen to reason, and encourages you to act rashly. Anger lessens you – it makes you smaller.<br />
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Because of the relative ease with which anger can be unleashed, temptations here are particularly persistent. Satan fuels anger (and even, on occasion, righteous indignation) because he can easily turn it into something he can use.<br />
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Anger is responsible for many types of self-inflicted wounds. Even when someone does not follow through on their angry thoughts, injuries are still incurred.<br />
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Anger severely tests self-control. Victory over this pattern will help attain victory over other patterns, especially the natural appetites (gluttony and lust).<br />
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Likewise, falling to anger hinders spiritual progress and makes it more difficult to discern God's guidance. Those who wonder why God doesn't take a more active role in their lives are quite possibly suffering from anger-induced blindness. The issue is not really God's apparent lack of activity, but the individual's lack of ability to discern God's activity.<br />
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Contrary to popular opinion, the pattern of anger is <i>never </i>useful, necessary, or unavoidable. Some people justify their anger by blaming it on something outside of their control (such as their upbringing or temperament). They have resigned themselves to the "fact" that their anger is uncontrollable. This is not true! Anger can be tamed. The situation is not hopeless. Victory is possible.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
<a href="http://evagrius.net/remedy.htm" style="color: black;">ASPIRE</a>. Focus on prayer. Pray that you will not get angry. Pray for those who cause you to grow angry. Pray immediately whenever you are tempted to be angry. Skip flowery words and keep your prayers short and direct.<br />
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Avoid solitude. It allows anger to simmer. In most cases, it is not healthy to be alone with your thoughts while consumed by anger. Be especially watchful at night when anger tends to fester in the gap between going to bed and falling asleep.<br />
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Be alert for signs of physical duress. Anger can seriously impact your health (i.e., ulcers, insomnia, loss of diet, and many more). If you are suffering physically in your struggle with anger, then you need professional, qualified, Biblical counseling.<br />
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Attack the root instead of the fruit. Many people address symptoms rather than causes. For example, suppose you are easily angered whenever you are with a particular person. Avoiding that person can provide some relief from the temptation to be angry, but it would be far from a complete solution. Eventually, you will need to figure <i>why</i>that person causes you so much frustration, and resolve the problem.<br />
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Be truthful. Playing loose with the truth fuels anger.<br />
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Do not allow your anger to cause someone else to stumble, or you will invite sadness.<br />
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Sing Scripture songs, such as choruses based on the book of Psalms. Music really is soothing, and God's Word is empowering. Together, they can work wonders against anger.<br />
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Be very careful about offering to "help" someone while you're angry. If your judgment is clouded (which happens with anger), then you are more likely to more harm than good.<br />
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Strive to maintain a healthy disdain for sin so that you can avoid learning lessons in the "school of hard knocks." It is difficult to sustain a healthy hatred of sin. Too often, we find the pleasure of sin and continue in it until a time of reckoning. It is always easiest to hate sin in the aftermath of messy consequences.<br />
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Let it go. Like a pond, anger cannot be "dried up" unless the springs which feed it are stopped up. Many arguments are sustained because the various sides are fueled by firm convictions that they are correct. Perhaps you need to swallow your pride and walk away from the argument, even if (or especially if) you are right. What is more important: to be right, or to be right with God?<br />
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Suffer. Life is unfair. You should not respond in anger every time you are victimized. Longsuffering is a severely underappreciated and underused virtue, despite being particularly effective against anger. Whenever you are treated unjustly, "take it on the chin," especially if you did nothing to deserve it. Injustice is an opportunity for growth.<br />
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Forgive. A powerful antidote to anger is forgiveness. If you are guilty, then seek forgiveness. If you have been wronged, then freely give it.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Godly Anger</span><br />
Cassian was uncomfortable with the idea of an angry God. He taught that whenever Scripture referred to God as angry, it was speaking anthropomorphically in an effort to help us comprehend God's role as Judge and Avenger. I believe he was on the right track, yet failed to arrive at a complete conclusion. Unlike Cassian, I believe God does get angry, but I insist on a caveat: His anger is not at all like the pattern of anger described here. By definition, all of the patterns relate to impure thoughts, which God cannot ever entertain.<br />
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In the interest of clarity and precision, I will use "anger" to refer exclusively to the pattern of anger and "indignation" to refer godly anger. There are additional alternative terms, such as wrath, fury, and incensiveness.<br />
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Whatever God's "anger" may entail, we can rest assured that it is always pure, holy and just. It never conflicts with His love, mercy, grace, kindness or forgiveness. From a human perspective, this may appear to be an irreconcilable contradiction, but that cannot be so.<br />
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God's indignation is the model for mankind's ability to be righteously indignant. This is the only form of anger that God permits. It can be a useful weapon in spiritual warfare, but must be used with great care. Even though it is not sinful, it is nonetheless very dangerous and can easily turn into ungodly anger.<br />
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Righteous indignation is always of limited duration, and does not dwell in the past. It must be focused on specific targets that displease God (such as poverty, violence, abuse, exploitation, depravity, insensitivity, etc.) and dedicated to a particular course of corrective action. Historically, indignation has been a major motivating factor in tackling social injustice, slavery, child abuse, homelessness, racism, oppression, and many other abominable practices.<br />
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Righteous indignation should always be preceded and followed by prayer.<br />
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Righteous indignation should be used in conjunction with godly sorrow. These two virtues have a tempering effect upon each other. "Anger" moderates "sorrow," and vice versa. For example, "anger" can motivate you to rebuke an erring brother, while "sorrow" prevents you from going too far. Paul, in several of his epistles, demonstrates how they effectively work together.<br />
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Righteous indignation can function like a watchdog. It can protect your spiritual health, but you must carefully train it to attack wolves instead of sheep (i.e., don't allow your anger to be misdirected at an inappropriate target).<br />
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If you are too easily provoked to anger, then avoid all forms of it, even righteous indignation. If you ignore this warning, then you are playing with fire and you will get burned.<br />
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Every form of anger will raise barriers. It does not matter what the barrier is or how it was constructed, it will always create an obstruction.<br />
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The most serious problem is the negative impact anger can have on prayer. If prayer is indeed how we approach the throne room of God (it is), and even indignation can get in the way of fellowship with God, is it worth it? Ask yourself: what is the greatest possible benefit, and what is the worst possible consequence? Is the risk justified?<br />
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Early church writers held differing opinions on the use of anger. Many advocated indignation as a valuable tool, but some authorities argued against its use in any way. Whatever your decision, be very careful.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><br />
Vengeance is not a sin; however it belongs exclusively to God. It is solely His prerogative. To seek revenge is to usurp the authority of God.<br />
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"Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." – Leviticus 19:17-18<br />
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"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." – Romans 12:19-21</div>
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Scripture clearly admonishes us to avoid anger and embrace gentleness, patience and love.<br />
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"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret -- it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land." – Psalm 37:8-9<br />
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"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." – Proverbs 15:1<br />
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"A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel." – Proverbs 15:18<br />
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"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." – Ephesians 4:31<br />
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"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." – Colossians 3:8<br />
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"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." – 1 Timothy 2:8<br />
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"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." – 1 John 2:9<br />
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"If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." – 1 John 4:20</div>
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To be direct, an angry man is a fool.<br />
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"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." – Proverbs 12:16<br />
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"A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated." – Proverbs 14:17<br />
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"A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." – Proverbs 14:29<br />
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"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." – Ecclesiastes 7:9</div>
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Jesus directly addresses anger and its role in sparking conflict. It is impossible to love peace and nurse anger at the same time.<br />
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"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." – Matthew 5:21-24<br />
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"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." – Matthew 5:38-42<br />
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"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." – Matthew 5:43-48<br />
<br />
"So watch yourselves. 'If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, "I repent," forgive him.'" – Luke 17:3-4</div>
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It is better for you to suffer an injustice than to seek retribution. A longsuffering Christian models Christ to the world, while a merciless Christian is an embarrassment to His name.<br />
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"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." – Matthew 5:10<br />
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"The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers." – 1 Corinthians 6:7-8</div>
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Anger is infectious, so stay away from angry people.<br />
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"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared." – Proverbs 22:24-25</div>
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<br />
Tempered anger is permissible, but be very careful with it.<br />
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"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." – Ephesians 4:26-27<br />
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"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." – James 1:19-21</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Quotes</span><br />
"An angry man cannot see light. The impure man cannot attain it." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Reflections 7 (Aramaic)</i>.<br />
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"The prayer of the irascible person is an abominable incense offering; the psalmody of an angry person is an irritating noise." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts IV.18</i>.<br />
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"Those who store up hurts and resentments in themselves and think they can pray are like people who draw water and put it in a jar full of holes." – Evagrius Ponticus,<i>Prayer 22</i>.<br />
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"No one with a love for true prayer who entertains anger or harbours resentment escapes madness, for that is like one who wants acuity of vision but does harm to his own eyes." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Prayer 64</i>.<br />
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"Just because you have not hurt someone does not mean you are harmless." – adapted from John Cassian, <i>Institute VIII.19</i>.<br />
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"For the end and aim of patience consists, not in being angry with a good reason, but in not being angry at all." – John Cassian, <i>Institute VIII.21</i>.<br />
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"As with the appearance of light, darkness retreats; so, at the fragrance of humility, all anger and bitterness vanishes." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 8</i>.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
Jesus "upgraded" lust in the Sermon of the Mount. He expanded the definition to include the heart. The same thing takes places with greed and other patterns as Jesus raises the standard for godliness. Actually, these tougher restrictions are foreshadowed and/or implied throughout the Old Testament, but not explicitly stated as such. Jesus addressed this by unambiguously expanding the definitions to include the heart and mind.<br />
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All of this is to say that anger was not expanded. The mind and heart restrictions were already clearly in place in the Old Testament (see Leviticus 19:17-18).<br />
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Anger, like sadness, leaves a trail of many victims in its wake. Unlike sadness, anger's victims are generally perceived to have "had it coming" and deserved at least some measure of retribution.<br />
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Both Evagrius and Cassian believed it is impossible for anger to get a foothold without first succumbing to greed.<br />
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Just because you have not lost your temper in a while does not mean that you have eradicated anger in your life. It simply means you haven't been provoked – the anger can still be there. The best time to work on anger is when it lies relatively dormant and your judgment is less impaired.<br />
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Do not assume that just because God does something that it is permissible for humans to do it as well. For instance, He accepts worship, which we are never permitted to do. Just because God can be "angry" does not automatically authorize us to be angry as well.<br />
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Fantasies of anger are deadly. Nursing thoughts of anger is ungodly, even if you do not act it out. Patience and restraint are not virtuous whenever anger is part of the equation. There is nothing admirable about holding back and biding your time before taking revenge.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-67065818787479200832013-06-01T13:06:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:37:39.094-04:00The Eight Patterns: Pride<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">... a desire for independence.</span><br />
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<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" cols="4" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#E880E8" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Pride</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-throw</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
for independence</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
In some revisions of this list, pride is conspicuously absent. This is because it can rightly be understood as the umbrella under which all sinful behavior is found. The "queen of vices" rears its ugly head when someone defies God's holy standards; thus, pride is essentially a declaration of independence from Him and an attempt to self-rule.A lack of humility denies God the opportunity to provide His blessing, strength, comfort, healing, and guidance. Without God, one cannot truly have victory over sin, and the potential for ruin is unimaginably great. Pride creates increased vulnerabilities to all of the other patterns.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
damaging</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with submission</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as pride</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with initiative</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
insolence, blasphemy, arrogance, backbiting, spite, contempt, rebellion, disrespect, presumption, distrust</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
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Imagine yourself pulling up behind a car at a stoplight, and reading one of the following bumper stickers in front of you:<br />
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"I want your stuff."<br />
"My son is an overeater at Springfield Middle School."<br />
"I'm sooo much better than you."<br />
"Kiss me, I'm Irish tempered."<br />
"Honk if you want my phone number."</div>
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Nobody really brags like this. We can be greedy, lustful, gluttonous, angry, etc., but we rarely come out and plainly say so. We are likely to either trivialize it as a minor problem (gluttony), justify it as unfortunate yet unavoidable (anger), or admit it is a problem yet attempt to conceal it (lust). Does anyone ever brag about these sinful behaviors? Not often. And when they do, we find it repulsive.<br />
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Unless, of course, the problem is pride. Not only can we be proud, but we can take pride in being proud. Even worse, we often mistake it for something admirable. Someone can be ambitious, bold, independent, unflappable, strong-willed, self-sufficient, and confident, yet be utterly consumed with pride. The distinction between vice and virtue can be difficult to discern in this area.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Comments</span><br />
The term "pride" includes many behaviors not included within the pattern of pride. For instance, a father can say he is proud of his son without committing the sin of pride.<br />
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The essence of sinful pride is a spirit of independence. It is an arrogant denial of the truth that one needs help to truly succeed. It insists that rules are irrelevant or that they only apply to others.<br />
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The other patterns most often impede the development of a single opposing virtue. Lust, for instance, definitely compromises the desire for purity, yet still permits limited growth in other areas, such as patience, generosity or zeal. Pride is unique in that it can oppose every virtue simultaneously. It creates gaping holes in every wall of defense against all kinds of temptation, easily making it the most savage and destructive pattern.<br />
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Independence is often mentioned in the same breath as freedom, but these two concepts are significantly distinct from each other. The former focuses on being an individual while the latter emphasizes opportunities to make choices. It is possible to enjoy both, one or neither of these two things.<br />
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The problem with independence is that God did not design mankind to be truly independent. He created us to be relational beings with a deep-rooted need for fellowship with Him and others. Pride creates distance from others, and as it deepens so does the degree of separation.<br />
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It is a dangerous thing to deny that God is your Helper, because He actively resists the proud. You are more likely to be deceived, which will lead to poor decision-making and uncertain footing. Failure will be inevitable.<br />
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Pride causes one to scorn the weak. The proud have little use or compassion for the homeless, impoverished, handicapped, etc. Additionally, they will despise those whom they perceive to be weak, but who in fact are not (such as those who are humble, gentle, longsuffering, or persecuted).<br />
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Pride strikes believers by assaulting God's glory. Initially, believers are merely enticed to give a little less glory to God than is due to Him. Praising God less eventually leads to not praising Him at all. It is in this "glory vacuum" that they will start to prop themselves up in God's rightful place by claiming His glory for themselves. Once this begins, they will more frequently and more intentionally deny that He deserves any glory whatsoever.<br />
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Wrestling with pride hurts. Usually, victories over temptation are accompanied by feelings of relief and/or joy, but pride is very different. As pride starts to crumble many unpleasant and harsh truths will come to light, perhaps for the first time. It is not easy for people to accept that they are not as capable and independent as they once believed themselves to be.<br />
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Lasting victories over pride are more costly than any other victory, yet no matter how high the price of success may be, the cost of failing to win is even higher. To illustrate, consider an accident victim who must undergo extensive physical therapy to regain the use of a limb. The exercises are painfully difficult, but the payoff makes it worthwhile. Success is impossible without necessary sacrifices, and failure is both devastating and crippling.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
ASPIRE. Focus on reflection.<br />
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Cultivate humility, <i>the</i> key to defeating pride. And the key to being humble is embracing the truth in three important areas: 1) the nature of God, 2) the condition of man, and 3) and the weight of eternity.<br />
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1) Without God we would not even exist or ever experience spiritual victory. However, He is more than our Creator and Redeemer; He is also our Sustainer. We will forever remain utterly dependent upon Him for our every breath and heartbeat. We must never forget that God is infinitely great.<br />
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2) It is impossible to truly contemplate the repugnant nature of fallen men without being deeply humbled. Our sinfulness is a grievous offense against a holy God, and we are hopeless apart from Him. Fortunately, He freely offers forgiveness to an undeserving world. We must never forget that we are sinners in need of grace.<br />
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3) Many are driven by pride to try to establish a legacy that will outlast themselves. They correctly identify that there is more to life than our present surroundings, yet they fail to understand the temporary nature of life on earth. By definition, eternal life is a relationship with God (John 17:3), and it is impossible to invest in eternity while ignoring it. We must never forget that only those things that spring from this relationship will last.</div>
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These truths remind us that we are dependent on God. Essentially, humility is remembering that God is God and we are not. God alone is able to bridge the unfathomable chasm separating us from Him.<br />
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Defer to others. In addition to approaching God with humility, we must also be humble in our relationships with others. It is okay to consider yourself less important, and even inferior, to others.<br />
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Humility involves feeling inadequate and dependent; however, it is never a form of sadness. We can honestly recognize our shortcomings and weaknesses and use them as opportunities to respond to God. Our weaknesses can be a source of great joy as we see God work through them on our behalf. True humility does not cause us to say, "woe is me," but "wow is God!"<br />
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Practice submission. In this case, "practice" does not mean "do" but "rehearse." Go out of your way to find opportunities to be submissive. This takes the previous point of deference a step further.<br />
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Care less about what other people think. Pride tries to prevent you from doing the right thing by asking, "But what will others think?" For example, the proud assert their rights rather than meekly endure mistreatment because they do not want to be perceived as weak.<br />
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Study the humble. Look for examples of humility, both in the present and in history. You could also study the extremely proud as illustrations of what not to do, but positive examples are more helpful than stern warnings. Seeing true humility in action is humbling and inspiring.<br />
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Pray only for others. Pride is centered on an independent self, and praying for others exposes these tendencies in your life. It is not at all wrong to pray for your own needs, but temporarily "fasting" on petition can be helpful. To have your own needs addressed, humbly ask others to pray for you. Doing this for a short period of time (such as a week or a few days) will increase your awareness of others and decrease your sense of independence.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Spiritual Maturity</span><br />
Maturity is a key factor in the temptation equation. Temptations typically target specific levels of maturity and operate in specific areas. For example, gluttony is most likely to attack an undisciplined novice's regard for food. Not only does the level of maturity dictate <i>which</i> patterns are likely to strike, but it also influences <i>how</i> they are going to attack. Satan has to work harder to successfully tempt mature Christians because their ability to discern his methods improves as they grow.<br />
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The distinction between mature and immature forms of temptations can be applied to all of the patterns. To show this distinction, John Cassian used the terms "carnal" (against the immature) and "spiritual" (against the mature). Carnal forms of temptation are more common because more people are "eligible" for them, while spiritual forms pack a heavier punch and cause more damage.<br />
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Pride has the widest reach and fewest limitations of the patterns. It can wreak havoc at every level of maturity and in every area of life, but it does so by subtly varying its approach depending on these factors. Invitations to pride that work on immature Christians are not as likely to be effective against spiritual veterans, and vice versa.<br />
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Carnal pride is an obstinate independence that leans toward willful disobedience, unkind behavior and calloused sensitivity. It lacks stability and clouds judgment while damaging key relationships with other people. Spiritual pride is a creative independence that tends to be disrespectful, forgetful, and unthankful. It exalts the self and opposes God while driving its victims away from Him.<br />
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Your current spiritual condition dictates your potential spiritual condition. Where you are today determines where you can be tomorrow. Spiritual maturity is a slow, and sometimes agonizing, process. Many other important qualities can change drastically in short order (such as zeal, commitment, gratitude, etc.), but when it comes to maturity, there are no shortcuts.<br />
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In other words, spiritual maturity is a construction project. Each building block is placed atop prior developments. New features or abilities are acquired with progress.<br />
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The foundation is easily the most important part of any structure. A weak personal foundation, which is a sure sign of immaturity, permits the patterns to obstruct spiritual development. A complete collapse becomes imminent. Pride contributes to this peril by attacking the foundation itself.<br />
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Be careful to distinguish between a Christian's maturity level and their age. Just because people reach an advanced age does not automatically mean they are spiritually mature. Young people can be quite spiritually mature. Fulfilled potential is a better criterion for determining maturity than chronological age.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><br />
Those who think highly of themselves are self-deceived. Their lack of wisdom is the source of many problems.<br />
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"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." – 2 Corinthians 10:12<br />
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"You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." – Revelation 3:17</div>
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How far can pride carry someone? It turned Lucifer into Satan. He was given many great gifts and privileges, yet became proud and believed his greatness was his own doing. His declaration of independence continues to impact all of creation.<br />
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"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit." – Isaiah 14:12-15</div>
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God Himself is the opponent of pride. It cannot prevail or ever produce satisfying results. It will not escape punishment.<br />
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"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth … If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed." – Deuteronomy 8:17-19<br />
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"To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more' ... No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another." – Psalm 75:4-7<br />
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"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." – Proverbs 16:5<br />
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"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." – Proverbs 16:18</div>
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God respects and rewards those who have a proper understanding of who they are, who He is, and what He requires them to do/be.<br />
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"Then Abraham spoke up again: 'Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes...'" – Genesis 18:27<br />
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"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." – Psalm 51:17<br />
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"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." – Matthew 23:12<br />
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"...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." – Matthew 20:26-28<br />
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"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you ... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." – James 4:6-10</div>
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The humble do not see themselves as superior to others. Instead, they treat others with respect and defer their own needs.<br />
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"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." – Romans 12:3<br />
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"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." – Romans 12:16<br />
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"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." – Matthew 7:3-5</div>
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There are many contrasts between the proud and the humble. The world cannot comprehend the value of humility because they do see the big picture.<br />
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"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." – 1 Corinthians 1:27-29<br />
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"You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." – Psalm 18:27<br />
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"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." – Proverbs 11:2</div>
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God, who knows our limits and abilities, creates opportunities and situations to promote humility in our lives.<br />
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"To keep me from becoming conceited ... there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10</div>
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Jesus Christ is the epitome of humility. We must follow His example by humbly treating others with dignity and love. Doing so promotes God-honoring unity.<br />
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"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!" – Philippians 2:1-8</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Quotes</span><br />
"Jealousy is the garment of pride." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Vices 8</i>.<br />
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"Pride is a tumor of the soul filled with pus; when it has ripened, it will rupture and create a disgusting mess." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts VII.1</i>.<br />
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"A lot of fruit bends a tree's new branches; an abundance of virtue humbles a person's thinking." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts VII.7</i>.<br />
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"Do not forget that you have fallen, even if you have repented, but hold onto the memory of your sin as an occasion of compunction that leads you to humility, so that thus humbled you will of necessity disgorge your pride." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eulogios 14</i>.<br />
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"Never would the Lord have permitted you to be given over to so foul a spirit unless you had blasphemed against Him." – John Cassian, <i>Institute XII.20</i>.<br />
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"Before anything else we need humility, being ready to listen whenever a word is said to us, and to say, 'I submit,' because through humility every device of the enemy and every kind of obstacle is destroyed." – Anonymous, quoted by Dorotheos of Gaza, <i>Discourses 2</i>.<br />
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"Pride is utter poverty of soul disguised as riches, imaginary light where in fact there is darkness. This abominable vice not only stops our progress but even tosses us down from the heights we have reached." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 23</i>..<br />
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"A hermit was asked, 'What is humility?' He said, 'It is if you forgive a brother who has wronged you before he is sorry." – Anonymous, <i>Sayings of the Desert Fathers, XV.60</i>.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
There are so many similarities between vainglory and pride that Scripture occasionally substitutes these terms for each other. To determine which pattern is being mentioned, one must examine the context. In the interest of clarity and accuracy, I have tried to maintain the sharp distinctions between patterns by careful use of these terms.<br />
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Be sure to study these patterns together so you can better understand which forms of temptation fall under each pattern.<br />
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Sin is simply defined as lawlessness (1 John 3:4). It is a violation of God's perfect standard of holiness. Pride is an act of rebellion against God and His standards. Thus, pride in some form is always a component of every pattern. Conversely, humility must always be a part of the remedy.<br />
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Cassian occasionally identified something as pride that Evagrius had previously identified as avarice (greed). This is understandable because of the close connection between idolatry (a manifestation of greed) and blasphemy (a manifestation of pride).</div>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-69657674628954738212013-06-01T13:05:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:37:10.922-04:00The Eight Patterns: Vainglory<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">... a desire for superiority.</span><br />
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<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" cols="4" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" height="40" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="#FF1493" class="fhead" colspan="4" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Vainglory</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">To<br />
over-assert</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" width="25%">A desire<br />
for superiority</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fcap2" colspan="2" rowspan="4" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="50%"><br />
Vainglory is the pursuit of approval, praise, respect, and/or admiration from others. This is accomplished by either thinking too much of one's self or thinking too little of others. One does not develop a taste for vainglory until they (often unwittingly) experience it. By then, it can be so intoxicating that it becomes an obsession. Continually seeking approval consumes overwhelming amounts of energy, damage one's self-perception, and leads to either burnout or a breakdown.Ironically, spiritual victory is a leading cause of vainglory. Satan intentionally loses some spiritual battles to other areas to gain ground here.</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Most<br />
subtle</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Oppose<br />
with humility</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="65" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Commonly understood<br />
as self-esteem</td><td class="fcap1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;">Not to confused<br />
with confidence</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fcap1" colspan="2" height="100" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" valign="top">Other forms:<br />
heresy, conceit, slander, desirous of praise, jealousy, belligerence, haughtiness, argumentativeness</td></tr>
<tr bgcolor="black" height="40"><td colspan="2" width="50%"> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td align="right" colspan="2" width="50%"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/arrowrt2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> </td></tr>
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A young woman asked her pastor for help in dealing with a particular problem. She confided to him that wherever she went, she noticed that she was always much more beautiful than every other woman she met. What should she do?<br />
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The pastor immediately recognized the source of her problem, and told her that he was not qualified to help her. He said that what she really needed was not a pastor, but an eye doctor.<br />
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Sadly, many who struggle with vanity are just like this young woman -- completely unaware of the true nature of their problems. They are so bent on looking good (often at the expense of others) that they wind up living insulated, isolated lives.<br />
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Vainglory and pride share much in common. Both can be performed without physical activity, and neither explicitly requires external provocation. These two patterns also move more rapidly from the moment of assent to captivity than do any of the other patterns (see the sidebar on lust).<br />
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No other pair of patterns mutually reinforces each other as well as these two do. Together, they are like thunder and lightning. Lightning (vainglory) precedes thunder (pride) and heralds its imminent arrival.<br />
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The differences between vainglory and pride are subtle, yet significant. Pride honors the self, while vainglory dishonors others. Pride asserts independence from God and others, whereas vainglory feeds off of feelings of superiority to God and others.<br />
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There are two basic forms of vainglory: carnal and spiritual. Carnal vanity focuses on one's things (wealth, power, appearance, prestige, influence, etc.), and says, "Look at how great I am!" On the other hand, spiritual vanity is fixed upon one's accomplishments (especially those of a spiritual nature, such as fasting, tithing, church attendance, etc.), and says, "Look at how good I am!"<br />
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Vainglory is a pattern of 1) pretense, 2) persistence, 3) presumption, 4) promotion, and 5) puffiness; or in other words, 1) affectation, 2) ambition, 3) arrogance, 4) advancement, and 5) aggrandizement.<br />
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He can be a 2) determined 1) hypocrite who 3) takes what rightly belongs to others while 4) furthering his own causes in 5) an effort to feel better about himself.<br />
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Vainglory and lust cannot coexist. The shame and dishonor of the latter preclude the self-interest of the former.<br />
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Vanity is very difficult to anticipate and identify. It varies wildly in its approach, and can subtly attack every area of life. It must be detected as early as possible in order to defeat it.<br />
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The chains of vainglory are preferable to the chains of every other pattern. This does not mean it is a trivial matter, but that it is often a lesser evil. If given a choice between failing to vanity and any other pattern, choose vanity.<br />
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The spiritually vain often take "pride" in their position as a child of God and look with contempt upon anything unclean. This kind of haughtiness can be a barrier to other patterns. For instance, the vanity of the Pharisees prevented them from plunging headlong into gross immorality. Spiritually vain people tend to serve more reliably, fast more strenuously, study more diligently, etc., because the esteem of others is very important to them.<br />
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Incidentally, this is the basic idea behind accountability partnerships. Because you do not want to disappoint your partner, you will fulfill your duties more faithfully. When this natural and helpful desire is perverted, it leads to vanity.<br />
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Vainglory is the "onion" pattern. Every time a layer is exposed and discarded, another one is right there. It can be difficult to tell if progress is being made, because each layer closely resembles its neighbors.<br />
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Vainglory is also the "iceberg" pattern. What can be readily seen is thought to be small and regarded as harmless, but grave danger lurks just beneath the surface. It has caused many to "shipwreck."<br />
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Vanity causes one to live in the future. The vain often start sentences by saying, "One day, I will have/be ..." In this, vanity is similar to greed.<br />
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Vanity will always remain a threat to every Christian, regardless of their level of spiritual development. This is unlike the first three patterns, which can be reduced through abstinence and defeated more easily as one spiritually matures. For example, the mature Christian is less susceptible to gluttony and more capable of resisting it with fasting. Unfortunately, there are no similar acts of renunciation that directly help someone in the struggle with vainglory.<br />
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In particular, vanity attacks spiritual novices by encouraging them to be proud of their:<br />
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<i>gifts</i>. This includes natural abilities, physical appearance, material wealth, etc. Some of these things might be quite outside of their own control, yet they still could take pride in them.<br />
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<i>sacrifices</i>. Some might imagine that they have made great sacrifices for God, when, in fact, they have not. These sufferers of "Martyr Syndrome" fool themselves into believing their problems are due to their "deep" spirituality. To illustrate, suppose a man is overlooked for a promotion. He tells himself, "The one who was promoted must have done something unethical. If only I had been willing to act dishonorably, then I could have gotten the job. God owes me one for being such a principled guy." Such reasoning is a clear example of vainglory -- tearing someone else down to feel better about yourself.<br />
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<i>wisdom</i>. The unteachable teacher is vanity personified. Someone who thinks they have much to teach and little to learn is both vain and foolish. Interestingly, the advice they dispense is almost always unsolicited.</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Remedy</span><br />
ASPIRE. Focus on intense, humbling prayer while recognizing the dangers of intercession, which can invite additional temptations to be vain (i.e., "look how spiritual I am because I am interceding for someone else when I have such serious problems of my own.").<br />
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Ask yourself, "who do I <i>really</i> want to hear my prayer?"<br />
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Be aware of the high price to be paid for progress. There are many that want a better position, yet fail to recognize the extra responsibilities that comes with a promotion. In typically vain fashion, they want the prestige, yet are largely unaware of the added burden.<br />
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Shun recognition and deflect praise. They are poor substitutes for the rewards given by Christ to those who have done a job well.<br />
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Do not brag. It feels good to receive some attention, but the act of boasting does more than invite a pat on the back. It also draws unwanted attention.<br />
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Imagine a tourist getting lost in a seedy part of a very large city. His clothing, accent, posture, and bewildered expressions would encourage thieves to take advantage of him. Similarly, boasting boldly announces that you are an easy target. It is, by far, the most effective way to show your spiritual naivety.<br />
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Be careful when seeking counsel or aid from a fellow Christian. Do not create opportunities for bragging. For example, asking people to pray for you to have strength during a fast can degenerate into an attempt to impress others. If you are asking for help merely to amaze your friends, then you are vain.<br />
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Still, it is important to talk to others about spiritual matters. Doing so promotes humility. Whenever you learn something from someone else, it reminds you of how much you need others. You can even learn deep spiritual truths from unexpected sources. For instance, parents can gain insights from their children.<br />
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Do not be "puffed up" by knowledge. Being smart is such fertile ground for vainglory that intelligence has something of a poor reputation. This is unfortunate, and does not have to be the case. It is possible to be both intelligent and humble, but not without being vigilant as well.<br />
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If vainglory fails to inflate your ego on account of your incredible knowledge, then it might tempt you to take pride in your ignorance. Many times, those who lack certain knowledge will try to minimize the significance of their ignorance by either dismissing it as unimportant or mock those who are not ignorant.<br />
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Be consistent and content. Consider the following activities: adding an extra room to a house, buying a larger car, undergoing cosmetic surgery, upgrading to a newer computer, and working out in the gym. There are many valid reasons to enlarge or improve something, but the "bigger and better" mentality can be a dangerous vanity trap. If these decisions do not serve a truly useful purpose, then they are merely vain, ego-boosting monuments to the self.<br />
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Try to treat everyone the same way. This is often difficult to do because some people are just more likable than others. Also, people often can put up barriers to being loved. To correct the tendency towards preferential treatment (favoritism is a form of vainglory), treat everyone as if they were Jesus Christ Himself (see Matthew 25). After all, they do bear His image.<br />
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"Grab your ankles." This is what one of my elementary school teachers would say before swatting a misbehaving student with a paddle. Likewise, God wisely chastens His children to correct their wayward behavior. When it comes to vanity and pride, He is more apt to use the "paddle" than He is with regard to any of the other patterns. Being disciplined is never pleasant, but failing to submit to discipline greatly aggravates the problem.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sidebar: Dangers of Victory</span><br />
In most cases, spiritual victories weaken the grip of the particular pattern that was defeated. For example, every victory over gluttony equips you to better resist it in the future. Spiritual success makes you stronger.<br />
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The temptation of vainglory is very different from all of the other patterns. Instead of growing weaker with each victory (regardless of the pattern defeated), the temptation to be vain grows stronger. With every spiritual victory, there is a follow-up temptation to think of yourself more highly than you ought.<br />
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Satan is aware of the pitfalls associated with success. He may intentionally lose a lesser battle if it will lay the groundwork for him to be successful with future temptations. He may also try to cheapen your victory by making you feel cheated or empty. For example, defeating lust is always a good thing, but doing so can often leave you feeling hollow inside.<br />
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Once Satan has firmly entangled people in their own vanity, he is quite unlikely to use any other form of temptation on them. He does this to preserve their illusions of strength. For example, many people imagine themselves to possess self-control, purity, generosity, etc., but they are deceived. Why should Satan risk exposing their weaknesses by tempting them in these areas? They might discover the truth and attempt to address it.<br />
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It is not uncommon for Christians to be intimidated by the prospect of victory. They are afraid to grow spiritually because they do not want added responsibilities. To their untrained eye, it appears that mature Christians suffer more than mediocre Christians do. If a natural consequence of victory is the potential for greater trials and temptations, then why risk drawing unwanted attention to yourself? Reaching greater heights now appears to simply create more opportunities for spectacular failure in the future.<br />
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This is a seriously flawed way of thinking. Victory <i>might</i> create opportunities for failure, but refusing to grow up <i>is</i> abject failure (no "might" about it). There is nothing to gain, and much to lose, by failing to even try. The life of a mature Christian is abundantly full and satisfying. Granted, there is risk, but the return on the investment is incredible beyond description. It is always right to choose right.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Scripture</span><br />
In the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus addressed several vanity-related issues. In particular, God values humility and is displeased with hypocrisy.<br />
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"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." – Matthew 5:19<br />
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"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." – Matthew 6:1<br />
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"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." – Matthew 6:5-6<br />
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"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." – Matthew 6:16-18</div>
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The vainglorious have their own agenda, and foolishly fail to appreciate the skills of others.<br />
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"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." – Proverbs 14:12<br />
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"Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words." – Proverbs 23:9</div>
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Taking advantage of others for personal gain is a surefire indicator of vanity.<br />
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"'It's no good, it's no good!' says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase." – Proverbs 20:14</div>
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Receiving praise is not sinful. Quite the contrary, it can be rather helpful and encouraging, but it does become a sin when you are the one singing your own praises.<br />
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"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips." – Proverbs 27:2</div>
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A reality check is an effective antidote for vainglory. It is preferable to put yourself in your own proper place than to oblige God to do it for you. Remember: He is God, and you are not.<br />
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"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." – Isaiah 40:6-8<br />
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"Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: 'He catches the wise in their craftiness...'" – 1 Corinthians 3:18-19</div>
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Humility talks, thinks, acts and loves in a way completely unfamiliar to vainglory.<br />
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"Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." – Jeremiah 17:14<br />
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"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." – Galatians 1:10<br />
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"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." – Galatians 5:26<br />
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"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." – Philippians 2:3-4</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Quotes</span><br />
"The monk afflicted with vainglory is an unpaid workman; he understands the work but gets no pay." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts VII.4</i>.<br />
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"A thrown stone does not reach the sky, and the prayer of one who loves popularity will not rise up to God." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts VII.8</i>.<br />
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"Acedia loosens the tensions of the soul, and vainglory strengthens the mind that has fallen away from God; it makes the sick person healthy and the older stronger than the younger, only if there are many witnesses present. Then fasting, vigils, and prayer are light matters, for the praise of the multitude rouses the enthusiasm." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Eight Thoughts VII.20</i>.<br />
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"Happy is the man who thinks himself no better than dirt. Happy is the monk who views the welfare and progress of all men with as much joy as if it were his own." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Prayer 121-122</i>.<br />
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"A monk is a man who considers himself one with all men because he seems constantly to see himself in every man." – Evagrius Ponticus, <i>Prayer 125</i>.<br />
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"Do not measure yourself against your brother, saying that you are more serious or more chaste or more understanding than he is. But be obedient to the grace of God, in the spirit of poverty, and in love unfeigned. The efforts of a man swollen with vanity are futile." – Anonymous, <i>Sayings of the Desert Fathers, XV.55</i>.<br />
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"The sun shines on all alike, and vainglory beams on all activities. For instance, I am vainglorious when I fast, and when I relax the fast in order to be unnoticed, I am again vainglorious over my prudence. When well dressed, I am quite overcome by vainglory, and when I put on poor clothes, I am vainglorious again. When I talk, I am defeated, and when I am silent, I am again defeated by it. However, I throw this prickly pear [of vainglory], a spike stands upright." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 22</i>.<br />
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"A vainglorious person is a believing idolater. He appears to honor God, but he wants to please not God, but men." – John Climacus, <i>Ladder of Divine Assent 22</i>.<br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Miscellany</span><br />
There are so many similarities between vainglory and pride that Scripture occasionally substitutes these terms for each other. To determine which pattern is being mentioned, one must examine the context. In the interest of clarity and accuracy, I have tried to maintain the sharp distinctions between patterns by careful use of these terms.<br />
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Be sure to study these patterns together so you can better understand which forms of temptation fall under each pattern.<br />
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Vainglory is also known as "idle glory."<br />
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Godly sorrow, when it exceeds its usefulness, leads to vainglory.<br />
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In comparison with the other patterns, vanity tends to cause relatively less damage, but holds its victims in a tighter grip.<br />
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Whenever the list of patterns has been retooled, vainglory and pride are almost always combined into one pattern (e.g., the Seven Deadly Sins). Interestingly, whenever additions to the list are considered, this is also the area where new patterns most often emerge. Cassian considered adding two new patterns to his list by adding heresy (a form of vainglory) and blasphemy (a form of pride). Evagrius occasionally referred to jealousy as a possible ninth pattern, and places it between vainglory and pride.<br />
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When the serpent tempted Eve to eat the fruit, he appealed to her vanity ("your eyes will be opened"). When Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness, he made another appeal to vanity ("jump off the Temple and show everyone how important you are to God"). Thus, vainglory plays a prominent role in two of the most noteworthy Biblical illustrations of temptation.<br />
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An old desert maxim says, "fly from women and bishops." This may sound like a bizarre warning, yet it still contains a valuable principle: escape vainglorious temptations by avoiding those you are likely to want to impress.<br />
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Vanity can cause people to brag about the depths of sin from which they have been delivered. When they share their conversion stories, they emphasize how bad they were before they came to Christ. This allows someone to camouflage their immaturity by artificially lengthening their spiritual journey. They justify their lack of progress by saying, "but look how far I've come!" These testimonies often reek of one-upmanship and glamorize the sin rather than glorify the Savior.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-5040681577211280682013-05-30T13:19:00.003-04:002013-05-30T13:22:36.822-04:00Bibliography<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Sources used in the creation of this site.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">I have used the following books extensively in my research. There are many other fine books not listed, including newer translations of standard works. Unfortunately, I do not own these other books and my access to them was limited. Some of this material is available online and at no cost.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">The definitive online bibliography of Evagrian studies is maintained by Joel Kalvasmaki at </span><a href="http://evagriusponticus.net/" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;" target="_blank">http://evagriusponticus.net/</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">.</span><br />
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<div class="fbiblio" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 60px; text-indent: -30px;">
Bamberger, John Eudes. <i>The Praktikos and Chapters on Prayer.</i> Cistercian Studies Series, vol. 4. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1972.</div>
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Cassian, John. <i>The Conferences of John Cassian.</i> A Select Library of the Christian Church: Nicene and Pre-Nicene Fathers (Second Series), vol. XI: Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of Lerins, John Cassian. Translated by Edgar C. S. Gibson. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1894.</div>
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_____. <i>The Institutes of John Cassian.</i> A Select Library of the Christian Church: Nicene and Pre-Nicene Fathers (Second Series), vol. XI: Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of Lerins, John Cassian. Translated by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1887.</div>
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_____. <i>Institute 6, Conference 12, Conference 22.</i> Cassian on Chastity. Translated by Terrence G. Kardong. Richardton, North Dakota: Assumption Abbey Press, 1993.</div>
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Evagrius. <i>Antirrheticus.</i> Translated Luke Dysinger and Michael O’Laughlin. Unpublished.</div>
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<div class="fbiblio" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 60px; text-indent: -30px;">
Palmer, G.E.H., Philip Sherrard and Kallistos Ware, ed./trans. <i>The Philokalia: The Complete Text,</i> vols. 1 and 2. Compiled by St. Nikodimos and St. Makarios. London: Faber and Faber, 1979 and 1981.</div>
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<div class="fbiblio" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 60px; text-indent: -30px;">
Sinkewicz, Robert E. <i>Evagrius of Pontus: The Greek Ascetic Corpus.</i> Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.</div>
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<div class="fbiblio" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-left: 60px; text-indent: -30px;">
Ward, Benedicta, trans. <i>The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks.</i> London: Penguis Books, 2003.</div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-79726455969806781282013-05-30T13:16:00.003-04:002013-05-30T13:16:43.265-04:00Miscellany<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Bits and pieces of research that didn't fit elsewhere.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Someone once said, "Murder your darlings." Whoever it was (it has been attributed to many people) was referring to those bits and pieces of creative effort that, while nice, were superfluous. Instead of murdering these precious darlings of mine, I have consigned them to this back page. It is somewhat like the "Deleted Scenes" features found on many DVD releases. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" cols="9" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px auto; text-align: justify; width: 98%px;"><tbody>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="20%"> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Gluttony<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Lust<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Greed<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Sadness<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Anger<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Acedia<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Vainglory<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;" width="10%"><br />Pride<br /> </td></tr>
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<tr><td><br /> </td><td colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Names of patterns in source langauges</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Greek<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">gastimargia</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">porneia</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">philargyria</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">lype</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">orge</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">akedia</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">kenodoxia</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">hyperphania</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Latin<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">gula</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">luxuria</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">avaritia</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">tristitia</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">ira</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">accidia</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">inanis gloria</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">superbia</td></tr>
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<tr><td><br /> </td><td colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Various Lists</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />To over_____<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">indluge</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">stimulate</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">accumulate</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">estimate</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">react</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">accommodate</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">assert</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">throw</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />A desire for ...<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">no restraint</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">something wrong</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">something more</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">something else</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">something "right"</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">something less</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">superiority</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">independence</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />The most ...<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">persistent<br />discussed<br />expansive</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">self-sustaining<br />addictive<br />visual<br />awkward<br />swift (tie)</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">suffocating<br />versatile<br />creative<br />self-justifying</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">despairing<br />unpredictable<br />stealthy<br />bitter</td><td bgcolor="#FF000" style="font-size: 11px;">fierce<br />anti-prayer<br />exclusive</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">serious<br />religious<br />weighty</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">subtle<br />varied<br />sharp</td><td bgcolor="#E880E" style="font-size: 11px;">damaging<br />savage<br />pervasive<br />virtueless<br />swift (tie)</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />The least ...<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">subtle<br />highly regarded</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">hypocritical</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">deadly<br />harmful</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">idle</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Impairs a godly ...<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">sense of proportion</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">sense of propriety</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">sense of priority</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">skill in perspective</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">skill in perception</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">skill in production</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">show of persuasion</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">show of position</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Opposed by<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">self-control<br />(abstinence)</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">chastity<br />(purity)</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">generosity<br />(renunciation)</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">hope<br />joy</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">kindness<br />patience</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">zeal<br />perseverance</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">humility</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">God Himself<br />humility</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />One word remedies<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">abstain</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">avoid</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">aid</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">anticipate</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">accept</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">act</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">affirm</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">acknowledge</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Primary sense<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">taste<br />Try it</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">Sight<br />Want it</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">Touch<br />Take it</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">None<br />Overwhelmed</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">Smell<br />Notice it</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">None<br />Inactive</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">Sound<br />Hear it</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">All<br /> </td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Metaphors<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">deep pit</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">moth</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">octopus<br />fire<br />spring-fed pond</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">battering ram<br />shark</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">onion<br />iceberg</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Biblical Example<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">Rich man<br />with Lazarus</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">Samson<br />with Delilah</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">Ananias<br />and Sapphira</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">Elijah<br />at Horeb</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">Cain<br />with Abel</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">Foolish builder<br />on the sand</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">Pharisees<br />with Christ</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">Uzziah<br />in the Temple</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Animal Mascot<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">pig</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">cow</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">frog</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">viper</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">bear</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">goat</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">cat</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">horse</td></tr>
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<tr><td><br /> </td><td colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Color Schemes</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />"Traditional"<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">orange</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">blue</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">yellow</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">brown</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">red</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">light blue</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">light green</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">violet</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />This site<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">orange<br />#FFA500</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">blue<br />#87CEEB</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">yellowgreen<br />#9ACD32</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">brown<br />#CD853F</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">red<br />#FF0000</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">yellow<br />#FFFF00</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">deep pink<br />#FF1493</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">violet<br />#E880E8</td></tr>
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<tr><td><br /> </td><td colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">How many patterns feed a specific pattern? / How many patterns are fed by a specific pattern?</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Feeds<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">4</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">1</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">5</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">3</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">8</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">1</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">4</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">3</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br />Fed by<br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">2</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">3</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">2</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">6</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">6</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">3</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">3</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">4</td></tr>
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<tr><td><br /> </td><td colspan="8" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">How much space in various sources are devoted to specific patterns? (Book)</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br /><i>Praktikos</i><br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">17%</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">14%</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">9%</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">11%</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">20%</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">9%</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">12%</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">8%</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br /><i>Antirheticos</i><br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">14% (I)</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">13% (II)</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">12% (III)</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">15% (IV)</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">13% (V)</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">11% (VI)</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">9% (VII)</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">13% (VII)</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br /><i>Eight Thoughts</i><br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">19% (I)</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">11% (II)</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">8% (III)</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">13% (V)</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">11% (IV)</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">10% (VI)</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">11% (VII)</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">17%(VIII)</td></tr>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><br /><i>Institutes</i><br /> </td><td bgcolor="#FFA500" style="font-size: 11px;">20% (V)</td><td bgcolor="#87CEEB" style="font-size: 11px;">11% (VI)</td><td bgcolor="#9ACD32" style="font-size: 11px;">15% (VII)</td><td bgcolor="#CD853F" style="font-size: 11px;">6% (IX)</td><td bgcolor="#FF0000" style="font-size: 11px;">11% (VIII)</td><td bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="font-size: 11px;">12% (X)</td><td bgcolor="#FF1493" style="font-size: 11px;">9% (XI)</td><td bgcolor="#E880E8" style="font-size: 11px;">16% (XII)</td></tr>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-80237298611148931602013-05-30T13:15:00.003-04:002013-05-30T13:15:42.868-04:00Evolution of the Seven Deadly Sins<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">How the eight Evagrian patterns evolved into the better-known seven deadly sins ...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Several years after Evagrius and Cassian, a significant revision of the list, now known as the Seven Deadly Sins, appeared in the writings of Pope Gregory I (c. 540-604 A.D.). Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 A.D.) also made notable contributions to the evolution of the list. Many (including Danté Alighieri, Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spencer, C.S. Lewis and countless others) have also revised this basic list for their own purposes. The following table summarizes several such revisions:</span><br />
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<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" cols="6" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px auto; text-align: justify; width: 96%px;"><tbody>
<tr class="small" style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="17%">Evagrius</td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="17%">Cassian</td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="16%">Gregory I</td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="16%">Aquinas</td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="17%">RCC Catechism</td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="17%"><i>PIT</i>scan</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td style="font-size: 11px;">Impure Thoughts</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Principal Faults</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Deadly Sins</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Capital Vices</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Capital Sins</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Impure Thoughts</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="orange" style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td><td bgcolor="orange" style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td><td bgcolor="skyblue" style="font-size: 11px;">Lust</td><td bgcolor="skyblue" style="font-size: 11px;">Lust</td><td bgcolor="gold" style="font-size: 11px;">Sloth</td><td bgcolor="orange" style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="skyblue" style="font-size: 11px;">Lust</td><td bgcolor="skyblue" style="font-size: 11px;">Lust</td><td bgcolor="orange" style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td><td bgcolor="orange" style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td><td bgcolor="orange" style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td><td bgcolor="skyblue" style="font-size: 11px;">Lust</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="yellowgreen" style="font-size: 11px;">Avarice</td><td bgcolor="yellowgreen" style="font-size: 11px;">Avarice</td><td bgcolor="peru" style="font-size: 11px;">Sadness</td><td bgcolor="yellowgreen" style="font-size: 11px;">Covetousness</td><td bgcolor="skyblue" style="font-size: 11px;">Lust</td><td bgcolor="yellowgreen" style="font-size: 11px;">Greed</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="peru" style="font-size: 11px;">Sadness</td><td bgcolor="red" style="font-size: 11px;">Anger</td><td bgcolor="yellowgreen" style="font-size: 11px;">Avarice</td><td bgcolor="gold" style="font-size: 11px;">Sloth</td><td bgcolor="red" style="font-size: 11px;">Wrath</td><td bgcolor="peru" style="font-size: 11px;">Sadness</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="red" style="font-size: 11px;">Anger</td><td bgcolor="peru" style="font-size: 11px;">Sadness</td><td bgcolor="red" style="font-size: 11px;">Anger</td><td bgcolor="red" style="font-size: 11px;">Anger</td><td bgcolor="lime" style="font-size: 11px;">Envy</td><td bgcolor="red" style="font-size: 11px;">Anger</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="yellow" style="font-size: 11px;">Acedia</td><td bgcolor="yellow" style="font-size: 11px;">Acedia</td><td bgcolor="lime" style="font-size: 11px;">Envy</td><td bgcolor="lime" style="font-size: 11px;">Envy</td><td bgcolor="yellowgreen" style="font-size: 11px;">Avarice</td><td bgcolor="yellow" style="font-size: 11px;">Acedia</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="deeppink" style="font-size: 11px;">Vainglory</td><td bgcolor="deeppink" style="font-size: 11px;">Vainglory</td><td bgcolor="violet" style="font-size: 11px;">Pride</td><td bgcolor="deeppink" style="font-size: 11px;">Vainglory</td><td bgcolor="violet" style="font-size: 11px;">Pride</td><td bgcolor="deeppink" style="font-size: 11px;">Vainglory</td></tr>
<tr class="small2" style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"><td bgcolor="violet" style="font-size: 11px;">Pride</td><td bgcolor="violet" style="font-size: 11px;">Pride</td><td bgcolor="white" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td><td bgcolor="violet" style="font-size: 11px;"><i>(Pride)</i></td><td bgcolor="white" style="font-size: 11px;"> </td><td bgcolor="violet" style="font-size: 11px;">Pride</td></tr>
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<li>Evagrius occasionally listed the thoughts in a slightly different order (such as swapping sadness with anger). In one of his letters, he even spoke of an additional pattern: jealousy, which he placed between vainglory and pride. Despite these minor variations, the list as cited above is by far his most common arrangement.</li>
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<li>Cassian opted for a list of faults (which he also called vices) instead of a list of thoughts, and he consistently placed anger before sadness. His slight shift in emphasis was later amplified by Gregory in the list of deadly sins. Later writers, such as John of Damascus, typically used Cassian's arrangement over that of Evagrius.</li>
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<li>Gregory's revisions are extremely significant. Envy is added. Vainglory is merged into pride. Acedia is dropped from the list (perhaps it was considered too similar to sadness to warrant a separate entry). Gluttony and lust swap places.</li>
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<li>Aquinas claimed all of the entries were some form of pride, so it is moved to a titular position, and vainglory is reinstated as a separate category. Sadness is replaced with sloth (merely a subset of acedia), and covetousness is moved down one slot. In <i>The Divine Comedy</i>, Danté followed this sequence of Aquinas.</li>
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<li>The current catechism of the Roman Catholic Church follows Aquinas with minor revisions. Pride returns in place of vainglory. Anger and avarice swap places. Envy is dropped one position. Sloth is moved to the bottom of the list.</li>
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<li>The lists of Gregory, Aquinas and the Roman Catechism are always listed with pride/vainglory at the top. Placing the patterns into this chart in reverse order makes it easier to compare the lists of seven with the lists of eight.</li>
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<li>The <i>PIT</i>scan list most closely resembles that of Evagrius. The greatest differences between these two revisions of the list are not found in this chart, but in the definitions of each pattern. Generally speaking, the Evagrian categories were more narrowly defined.</li>
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<li>Except for anger and envy (red and green, respectively), there are no universally accepted color designations for the other patterns. The coloring scheme used here was selected more for website aesthetics than any other reason.</li>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-60904123448979673742013-05-30T13:14:00.000-04:002013-05-30T13:14:00.104-04:00Adaptations<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">A collection of several different authors who adapted the list of deadly sins for their own use.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">These authors are just a sample of those who have adapted the seven deadly sins (a popular revision of the Evagrian list of eight patterns) for their own use.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><center style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Peter of Damascus</span><br />(12th century?)<br /><i>A Treasury of Divine Knowledge, I.39</i><br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">This impressive list of passion includes the eight Evagrian thoughts ... and a few more. Make of it what you will.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"The passions are: </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">harshness, trickery, malice, perversity, mindlessness, licentiousness, enticement, dullness, lack of understanding, idleness, sluggishness, stupidity, flattery, silliness, idiocy, madness, derangement, coarseness, rashness, cowardice, lethargy, dearth of good actions, moral errors, greed, over-frugality, ignorance, folly, spurious knowledge, forgetfulness, lack of discrimination, obduracy, injustice, evil intention, a conscienceless soul, slothfulness, idle chatter, breaking of faith, wrongdoing, sinfulness, lawlessness, criminality, passion, seduction, assent to evil, mindless coupling, demonic provocation, dallying, bodily comfort beyond what is required, vice, stumbling, sickness of soul, enervation, weakness of intellect, negligence, laziness, a reprehensible despondency, disdain of God, aberration, transgression, unbelief, lack of faith, wrong belief, poverty of faith, heresy, fellowship in heresy, polytheism, idolatry, ignorance of God, impiety, magic, astrology, divination, sorcery, denial of God, the love of idols, dissipation, profligacy, loquacity, indolence, self-love, inattentiveness, lack of progress, deceit, delusion, audacity, witchcraft, defilement, the eating of unclean food, soft living, dissoluteness, voracity, unchastity, avarice, anger, dejection, listlessness, self-esteem, pride, presumption, self-elation, boastfulness, infatuation, foulness, satiety, doltishness, torpor, sensuality, over-eating, gluttony, insatiability, secret eating, hoggishness, solitary eating, indifference, fickleness, self-will, thoughtlessness, self-satisfaction, love of popularity, ignorance of beauty, uncouthness, gaucherie, lightmindedness, boorishness, rudeness, contentiousness, quarrelsomeness, abusiveness, shouting, brawling, fighting, rage, mindless desire, gall, exasperation, giving offence, enmity, meddlesomeness, chicanery, asperity, slander, censure, calumny, condemnation, accusation, hatred, railing, insolence, dishonor, ferocity, frenzy, severity, aggressiveness, forswearing oneself, oath taking, lack of compassion, hatred of one's brothers, partiality, patricide, matricide, breaking fasts, laxity, acceptance of bribes, theft, rapine, jealousy, strife, envy, indecency, jesting, vilification, mockery, derision, exploitation, oppression, disdain of one's neighbor, flogging, making sport of others, hanging, throttling, heartlessness, implacability, covenant-breaking, bewitchment, harshness, shamelessness, impudence, obfuscation of thoughts, obtuseness, mental blindness, attraction to what is fleeting, impassionedness, frivolity, disobedience, dullwittedness, drowsiness of soul, excessive sleep, fantasy, heavy drinking, drunkenness, uselessness, slackness, mindless enjoyment, self-indulgence, venery, using foul language, effeminacy, unbridled desire, burning lust, masturbation, pimping, adultery, sodomy, bestiality, defilement, wantonness, a stained soul, incest, uncleanliness, pollution, sordidness, feigned affection, laughter, jokes, immodest dancing, clapping, improper songs, revelry, flute playing, license of tongue, excessive love of order, insubordination, disorderliness, reprehensible collusion, conspiracy, warfare, killing, brigandry, sacrilege, illicit gains, usury, wiliness, grave-robbing, hardness of heart, obloquy, complaining, blasphemy, fault-finding, ingratitude, malevolence, contemptuousness, pettiness, confusion, lying, verbosity, empty words, mindless joy, daydreaming, mindless friendship, bad habits, nonsensicality, silly talk, garrulity, niggardliness, depravity, intolerance, irritability, affluence, rancor, misuse, ill-temper, clinging to life, ostentation, affectation, pusillanimity, satanic love, curiosity, contumely, lack of the fear of God, unteachability, senselessness, haughtiness, self-vaunting, self-inflation, scorn for one's neighbor, mercilessness, insensitivity, hopelessness, spiritual paralysis, hatred of God, despair, suicide, a falling away from God in all things, utter destruction – altogether 298 passions. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">These, then, are the passions which I have found named in the Holy Scriptures. I have set them down in a single list, as I did at the beginning of my discourse with the various books I have used. I have not tried, nor would I have been able, to arrange them all in order; this would have been beyond my powers, for the reason given by St. John Klimakos: 'If you seek understanding in wicked men, you will not find it.' For all that the demons produce is disorderly. In common with the godless and the unjust, the demons have but one purpose: to destroy the souls of those who accept their evil counsel. Yet sometimes they actually help men to attain holiness. In such instances they are conquered by the patience and faith of those who put their trust in the Lord, and who through their good actions and resistance to evil thoughts counteract the demons and bring down curses upon them."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://www.orthodox.net/confess/a-list-of-the-passions.html" style="color: black;" target="_new">Source</a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><hr style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><center style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">William Langland</span><br />(c. 1332-1386)<br /><i>William's Vision of Piers Plowman (B-text)</i><br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">This series of dreams was critical of contemporary errors while encouraging godly living.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="findent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 50px; padding: 0px 10px; text-align: justify;">
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<tr class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="25%"><u>Passus</u><br />V.062-.070<br />V.071-.074<br />V.075-.132<br />V.133-.185<br />V.186-.306<br />V.307-.385<br />V.386-.453</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Sin</u><br />pride <i>(Proud)</i><br />lust <i>(Lechour)</i><br />envy <i>(Envye)</i><br />anger <i>(Wrathe)</i><br />greed <i>(Coveitise)</i><br />gluttony <i>(Gluton)</i><br />sloth <i>(Sleuthe)</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=cme;idno=PPlLan" style="color: black;" target="_new">Source</a></div>
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><center style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Geoffrey Chaucer</span><br />(c. 1340-1400)<br /><i>The Canterbury Tales</i><br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">One story in particular, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Parson's Tale</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, features the seven deadly sins.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="findent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 50px; padding: 0px 10px; text-align: justify;">
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<tr class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="25%"><u>Paragraphs</u><br />24-29<br />30-31<br />32-54<br />55-63<br />64-70<br />71-74<br />75-84</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Sin</u><br />pride <i>(pride / superbia)</i><br />envy <i>(envye / invidia)</i><br />wrath <i>(ira)</i><br />sloth <i>(accidia)</i><br />avarice <i>(avaricia and coveitise)</i><br />gluttony <i>(glotonye / gula)</i><br />lust <i>(luxuria / lecherie)</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.librarius.com/cantales/parspro.htm" style="color: black;" target="_new">Source</a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><hr style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><center style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Peter Binsfeld</span><br />(c. 1545-1598)<br /><i>The Confession of Warlocks and Witches</i><br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Each of the deadly sins are matched to a particular demon.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="findent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 50px; padding: 0px 10px; text-align: justify;">
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<tr class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="25%"><u>Demon</u><br />Belphegor<br />Leviathan<br />Beelzebub<br />Satan<br />Asmodai<br />Mammon<br />Lucifer</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Sin</u><br />Sloth<br />Envy<br />Gluttony<br />Wrath<br />Lust<br />Avarice<br />Pride</td></tr>
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">
No source :(</div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><hr style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><center style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Christopher Marlowe</span><br />(1564-1593)<br /><i>The Tragedy of Doctor Faustus</i> (Act II, Scene 2)<br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Mephistophilis come from hell to show Dr. Fastus "some pastime."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="findent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 50px; padding: 0px 10px; text-align: justify;">
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<tr class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="25%"><u>Sequence</u><br />1<br />2<br />3<br />4<br />5<br />6<br />7</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Sin</u><br />pride<br />covetousness<br />envy<br />wrath<br />gluttony<br />sloth<br />lust</td></tr>
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.03.0011&query=scene%3D%236&layout.norm=compare" style="color: black;" target="_new">Source</a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><hr style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><center style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Edmund Spenser</span><br />(1552-1599)<br /><i>The Faerie Queene</i> (Book I, Canto IV)<br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="findent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 50px; padding: 0px 10px; text-align: justify;">
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<tr class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="25%"><u>Stanza</u><br />4-17<br />18-20<br />21-23<br />24-26<br />27-29<br />30-32<br />33-35</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Sin</u><br />pride <i>(vanitie)</i><br />sloth <i>(idlenesse)</i><br />gluttony <i>(gluttony)</i><br />lust <i>(lechery)</i><br />greed <i>(auarice)</i><br />envy <i>(enuie)</i><br />anger <i>(vvrath)</i></td></tr>
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~rbear/queene1.html#Cant. IIII." style="color: black;" target="_new">Source</a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><hr style="background-color: white; border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><center style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">
<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">C. S. Lewis</span><br />(1898 – 1963)<br /><i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i><br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Each book of the series purportedly addresses one of the deadly sins.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="findent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 50px; padding: 0px 10px; text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>#</u></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Book Title</u></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Circumstance</u></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Sin</u></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;">1</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><i>The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Edmund’s desire for Turkish Delight</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;">2</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><i>Prince Caspian</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">King Miraz’s lust for power</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Lust</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;">3</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Eustace in the dragon’s cave</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Greed</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;">4</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><i>The Silver Chair</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Jill neglecting Aslan's instructions</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Sloth</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;">5</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><i>The Horse and His Boy</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">All main characters</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Pride</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;">6</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><i>The Magician’s Nephew</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">The White Witch</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Anger</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;">7</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><i>The Final Battle</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Shift of Aslan</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Envy</td></tr>
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/7sins.html" style="color: black;" target="_new">Source</a></div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Sherwood Schwartz</span><br />(1941-present)<br /><i>Gilligan's Island</i><br /><hr style="border-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-style: solid; height: 1px;" width="50%" />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Each one of the castaways personifies a deadly sin? Various arrangements exist. One suggestion follows:</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="findent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 50px; padding: 0px 10px; text-align: justify;">
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<tr class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="25%"><u>Character</u><br />Professor<br />Mary Ann<br />Mrs. Howell<br />Gilligan<br />Mr. Howell<br />Skipper<br />Ginger</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><u>Sin</u><br />pride<br />envy<br />wrath<br />sloth<br />avarice<br />gluttony<br />lust</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.deadlysins.com/features/isle.html" style="color: black;" target="_new">Source</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-15933138664347845942013-05-30T13:11:00.004-04:002013-05-30T13:11:58.738-04:00"Canonical" definitions<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">The seminal definitions of the eight patterns as articulated by Evagrius (</span><em style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.ldysinger.com/Evagrius/01_Prak/02_prak06-14.htm" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Praktikos</a></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> 7-14) and Cassian (</span><em style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.osb.org/lectio/cassian/conf/book1/conf5.html#5.11" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Conference</a></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> V.11-12) ...</span><div>
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<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Evagrius</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">The thought of gluttony suggests to the monk that he give up his ascetic efforts in short order. It brings to his mind concern for his stomach, for his liver and spleen, the thought of a long illness, scarcity of the commodities of life and finally of his edematous body and the lack of care by the physicians. These things are depicted vividly before his eyes. It frequently brings him to recall certain ones among the brethren who have fallen upon such sufferings. There even comes a time when it persuades those who suffer from such maladies to visit those who are practicing a life of abstinence and to expose their misfortune and relate how these came about as a result of the ascetic life.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 7</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of gluttony there are three sorts:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which drives a monk to eat before the proper and stated times,</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which cares about filling the belly and gorging it with all kinds of food, and</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which is on the lookout for dainties and delicacies.</li>
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And these three sorts give a monk no little trouble, unless he tries to free himself from all of them with the same care and scrupulousness. For just as one should never venture to break one's fast before the right time so we must utterly avoid all greediness in eating, and the choice and dainty preparation of our food: for from these three causes different but extremely dangerous conditions of the soul arise. For from the first there springs up dislike of the monastery, and thence there grows up disgust and intolerance of the life there, and this is sure to be soon followed by withdrawal and speedy departure from it. By the second there are kindled the fiery darts of luxury and lasciviousness. The third also weaves the entangling meshes of covetousness for the nets of its prisoners, and ever hinders monks from following the perfect self-abnegation of Christ.</div>
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<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.11</em></div>
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<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Evagrius</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">The demon of impurity impels one to lust after bodies. It attacks more strenuously those who practice continence, in the hope that they will give up their practice of this virtue, feeling that they gain nothing by it. This demon has a way of bowing the soul down to practices of an impure kind, defiling it, and causing it to speak and hear certain words almost as if the reality were actually present to be seen.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 8</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of fornication there are three sorts:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which is accomplished by sexual intercourse;</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which takes place without touching a woman, for which we read that Onan the son of the patriarch Judah was smitten by the Lord; and which is termed by Scripture uncleanness: of which the Apostle says: "But I say to the unmarried and to widows, that it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they do not contain let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn" (1 Cor 7:8-9).</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which is conceived in heart and mind, of which the Lord says in the gospel: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28).</li>
</ol>
<span class="fbody">And these three kinds the blessed Apostle tells us must be stamped out in one and the same way. "Mortify," says he, "your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, lust, etc." (Col 3:5). And again of two of them he says to the Ephesians: "Let fornication and uncleanness be not so much as named among you." . And once more: "But know this that no fornicator or unclean person, or covetous person who is an idolater hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph 5:3-5). And just as these three must be avoided by us with equal care, so they one and all shut us out and exclude us equally from the kingdom of Christ.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.11</em></div>
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<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Evagrius</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Avarice suggests to the mind a lengthy old age, inability to perform manual labor (at some future date), famines that are sure to come, sickness that will visit us, the pinch of poverty, the great shame that comes from accepting the necessities of life from others.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 9</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of covetousness there are three kinds:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which hinders renunciants from allowing themselves of be stripped of their goods and property;</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which draws us to resume with excessive eagerness the possession of those things which we have given away and distributed to the poor;</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">that which leads a man to covet and procure what he never previously possessed.</li>
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<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.11</em></div>
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<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Evagrius</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Sadness tends to come up at times because of the deprivations of one's desires. On other occasions it accompanies anger. When it arises from the deprivation of desires it takes place in the following manner. Certain thoughts first drive the soul to the memory of home and parents, or else to that of one's former life. Now when these thoughts find that the soul offers no resistance but rather follows after them and pours itself out in pleasures that are still only mental in nature, they then seize her and drench her in sadness, with the result that these ideas she was just indulging no longer remain. In fact they cannot be had in reality, either, because of her present way of life. So the miserable soul is now shriveled up in her humiliation to the degree that she poured herself out upon these thoughts of hers.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 10</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of dejection there are two kinds:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">one, that which springs up when anger has died down, or is the result of some loss we have incurred or of some purpose which has been hindered and interfered with;</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">the other, that which comes from unreasonable anxiety of mind or from despair.</li>
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<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.11</em></div>
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<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Evagrius</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">The most fierce passion is anger. In fact it is defined as a boiling and stirring up of wrath against one who has given injury -- or is thought to have done so. It constantly irritates the soul and above all at the time of prayer it seizes the mind and flashes the picture of the offensive person before one's eyes. Then there comes a time when it persists longer, is transformed into indignation, stirs up alarming experiences by night. This is succeeded by a general debility of the body, malnutrition with its attendant pallor, and the illusion of being attacked by poisonous wild beasts. These four last mentioned consequences following upon indignation may be found to accompany many thoughts.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 11</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of anger there are three kinds:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">one which rages within, which is called in Greek <em>qumos</em>;</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">another which breaks out in word and deed and action, which they term<em>orgh:</em> of which the Apostle speaks, saying "But now do ye lay aside all anger and indignation" (Col 3:8).</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">the third, which is not like those in boiling over and being done with in an hour, but which lasts for days and long periods, which is called <em>mhnis.</em></li>
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<span class="fbody">And all these three must be condemned by us with equal horror.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.11</em></div>
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<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Evagrius</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">The demon of acedia -- also called the noonday demon -- is the one that causes the most serious trouble of all. He presses his attack upon the monk about the fourth hour and besieges the soul until the eighth hour. First of all he makes it seem that the sun barely moves, if at all, and that the day is fifty hours long. Then he constrains the monk to look constantly out the windows, to walk outside the cell, to gaze carefully at the sun to determine how far it stands from the ninth hour, to look now this way and now that to see if perhaps [one of the brethren appears from his cell]. Then too he instills in the heart of the monk a hatred for the place, a hatred for his very life itself, a hatred for manual labor. He leads him to reflect that charity has departed from among the brethren, that there is no one to give encouragement. Should there be someone at this period who happens to offend him in some way or other, this too the demon uses to contribute further to his hatred. This demon drives him along to desire other sites where he can more easily procure life's necessities, more readily find work and make a real success of himself. He goes on to suggest that, after all, it is not the place that is the basis of pleasing the Lord. God is to be adored everywhere. He joins to these reflections the memory of his dear ones and of his former way of life. He depicts life stretching out for a long period of time, and brings before the mind's eye the toil of the ascetic struggle and, as the saying has it, leaves no leaf unturned to induce the monk to forsake his cell and drop out of the fight. No other demon follows close upon the heels of this one (when he is defeated) but only a state of deep peace and inexpressible joy arise out of this struggle.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 12</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of [acedia] there are two kinds:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">one of which sends those affected by it to sleep;</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">while the other makes them forsake their cell and flee away.</li>
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<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.11</em></div>
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<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Evagrius</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">The spirit of vainglory is most subtle and it readily grows up in the souls of those who practice virtue. It leads them to desire to make their struggles known publicly, to hunt after the praise of men. This in turn leads to their illusory healing of women, or to their hearing fancied sounds as the cries of the demons -– crowds of people who touch their clothes. This demon predicts besides that they will attain to the priesthood. It has men knocking at the door, seeking audience with them. If the monk does not willingly yield to their request, he is bound and led away. When in this way he is carried aloft by vain hope, the demon vanishes and the monk is left to be tempted by the demon of pride or of sadness who brings upon him thoughts opposed to his hopes. It also happens at times that a man who a short while before was a holy priest, is led off bound and is handed over to the demon of impurity to be sifted by him.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 13</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of vainglory, although it takes various forms and shapes, and is divided into different classes, yet there are two main kinds:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">when we are puffed up about carnal things and things visible, and</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">when we are inflamed with the desire of vain praise for things spiritual and unseen.</li>
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<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.11</em></div>
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<br /><span class="fbody">The demon of pride is the cause of the most damaging fall for the soul. For it induces the monk to deny that God is his helper and to consider that he himself is the cause of virtuous actions. Further, he gets a big head in regard to the brethren, considering them stupid because they do not all have this same opinion of him. Anger and sadness follow on the heels of this demon, and last of all there comes in its train the greatest of maladies - derangement of mind, associated with wild ravings and hallucinations of whole multitudes of demons in the sky.</span><div align="right">
<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Praktikos 14</em></div>
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</td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="width: 462px;"><br /><span class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cassian</strong></span><div align="justify" class="x">
<br /><span class="fbody">Of pride there are two kinds:</span><ol>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">carnal, and</li>
<li class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">spiritual, which is the worse, for it especially attacks those who are seen to have made progress in some good qualities.</li>
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<br /><em class="fbody" style="text-align: justify;">Conference V.12</em></div>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-55540255223779205252013-05-30T11:50:00.006-04:002022-10-18T09:01:56.251-04:00Introduction to Indices<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Introduction to my attempt to develop a spiritual diagnostic tool using Evagrian principles.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Because we can analyze and study temptation, we can know a great deal about the parties involved and the techniques employed. Building comprehensive definitions</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> of the patterns of impure thought is helpful, but more can be done. This is because the patterns are not neatly isolated from each other. Temptation is most often manifested as a combination of patterns. We don't need to blur the distinctions between patterns to see how they work together.</span><br />
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Virtually every ancient authority recognized this phenomenon and classified the patterns in various ways by common features. For instance, John Cassian observed that some of the patterns were provoked from within (Gl Ac Sa Pr) while others were externally provoked (Lu Gr An Va). There are several additional pattern combinations.</div>
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This is significant because the various patterns take on different forms depending on how they are working together. For example, lust is often accompanied by either gluttony or greed. A lust/greed combination might be addressed differently than a lust/gluttony combination.</div>
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I propose ten significant pattern aggregates, or indices. Each one of these indices are formed by dividing the eight patterns into two distinct subgroups (which I call Gray and White). Each index addresses a specific question about the tempting thoughts:</div>
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<li><b>Faculty:</b> How do the patterns of impure thought operate?</li>
<li><b>Gateway:</b> Which patterns of impure thought deserve special attention?</li>
<li><b>Provocation:</b> What activates, arouses or provokes the patterns of impure thought?</li>
<li><b>Manifestation:</b> What manner of conduct springs from the patterns of impure thought?</li>
<li><b>Caution:</b> How do the patterns of impure thought impact one's judgment?</li>
<li><b>Moderation:</b> How are the patterns of impure thought subdued or defeated?</li>
<li><b>Activity:</b> Where do the patterns of impure thought ultimately lead?</li>
<li><b>Identification:</b> How are the patterns of impure thought identified?</li>
<li><b>Impediment:</b> How do the patterns of impure thought impede the pursuit of God?</li>
<li><b>Relationship:</b> How do the patterns of impure thought impact my relationships with others?</li>
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Here is a brief summary of these indices:<br />
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<div align="center" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px auto;">
<table border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" cols="2" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Faculty Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;" width="33%">Appetite</td><td bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;" width="33%">Emotion</td><td background="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/indfacbg.gif" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;" width="33%">Intellect</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="font-size: smaller;">Lacks<br />
self-discipline</td><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;">Practices<br />
self-deception</td><td background="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/indfacbg.gif" style="font-size: smaller;">Practices<br />
self-devotion</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td background="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/indfacbg.gif" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="50%"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Gateway Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Follower</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index2_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Leader</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">"Searching for something" and willing to experiment to find it</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">No longer searching, but settled into a comfortable routine</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Provocation Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">External</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index3_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Internal</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Places too much value on one's own desires</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Places too little value on what God desires</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Manifestation Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">External</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index4_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Internal</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Impulsive and unconcerned with what others think</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Deliberate and overly concerned with what others think</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Caution Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Impulsive</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index5_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Intentional</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Willing to delay gratification to get maximum results</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Seeks instant gratification, but unhappy with its results</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Moderation Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Tame</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index6_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Avoid</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Insensitive and callous to certain sins ("I don't care if it's wrong.")</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Wants to avoid certain sins, but struggles to do so ("I'd stop if I could.")</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Activity Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">More</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index7_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Less</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Increasing level of activity in quest for satisfaction</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Decreasing level of activity as dissatisfaction intensifies</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Identification Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">External</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index8_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Internal</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Recognizes own repeated failures and needs to hear good counsel</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Denies own repeated failures and needs to heed good counsel</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Impediment Index</td></tr>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Distort</td><td rowspan="3" style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><img height="75" src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index9_s.gif" style="border: 0px;" width="75" /></td><td align="center" class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto;">Distract</td></tr>
<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Deliberately chooses to neglect the spiritual disciplines</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Tries to practice the spiritual disciplines, but struggles to do so</td></tr>
<tr align="center" height="28" style="margin: 0px auto;"><td bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit3_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit6_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit7_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit8_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit1_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit2_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit4_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /> <img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/pit5_c.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="font-size: 11px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center" style="margin: 0px auto;" valign="center"><td class="fsection" colspan="3" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Relationship Index</td></tr>
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<tr valign="top"><td align="left" bgcolor="silver" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Resists the practice of reasonable restraint and acts unpredictably</td><td align="left" style="font-size: smaller;" width="50%">Resists being instructed or corrected</td></tr>
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<br /><br /><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/pitscan/index_key.gif" style="border: 0px;" /><br />Pattern Key</center>
<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;" />David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-41180781895130299312013-05-30T11:45:00.005-04:002013-05-30T13:10:17.617-04:00Sources<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">About the people whose writings inspired this site.</span><br />
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Evagrius</center>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Who was he?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Evagrius of Pontus (345-399 A.D.) was one of the rising stars of the church in the late fourth century. He was well-known as a keen thinker, a polished speaker, and a gifted writer. Throughout his life, he was as a trusted friend to several of the most important church leaders of his era, including Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, Nectarius of Constantinople, Marcarius the Great, and Theophilus of Alexandria. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">He lived in Constantinople for a time before coming under severe conviction that he did not belong there. There were simply too many worldly attractions for him to effectively live a godly life. His sense of pride was fueled by the high praise of his peers. Gluttony, greed, sloth, and even lust, became persistent temptations over which he was not always victorious. One day, he simply left the capital, and set sail for the Holy Land. After a short stay in a monastery near Jerusalem, he joined a community of monks in the deserts of Egypt. Eventually, he became recognized as a leader in his commune. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Ever the scholar, Evagrius is believed to be the first monk to begin recording and systematizing certain teachings of the Desert Fathers. A prominent feature of his research was the list of eight patterns of impure thinking. While he did not create the list from scratch, he did refine and develop it. </span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Wasn't he a heretic?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">If you are asking this question, then you likely know more about Evagrius and his teachings than I do! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">He was something of an anomaly among his fellow ascetics. Unlike many other monks, he was highly educated and well respected by contemporary church leaders. It was not until shortly before his death that some of his more esoteric teachings stirred some controversy. He was later declared to be a heretic, and his writings were supposed to be destroyed. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">What did he do that caused so much trouble? He was a student of Origen (c. 185-250 AD, an influential theologian who was also declared a heretic). Some of their more bizarre speculations included ideas about the pre-existence of human souls, the final state of believers, and certain teachings about the nature of Christ. Based on my limited understanding of the issues, some of their concepts were undeniably "out there." The primary reason I know so little about this controversy is because I have focused on his writings about the patterns of impure thought. He was quite intentional and successful at separating his theoretical musings from his pastoral and practical writings. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">John Climacus, Maximus the Confessor, Benedict, and Symeon the New Theologian are among those he significantly influenced. His most famous student was John Cassian (described below). In my own studies, I have drawn extensively from both Evagrius and Cassian, while also drawing from other early writings which mention the eight patterns. The </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">PIT</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">scan is not a strict reproduction of Evagrian thought, but is more accurately a modern synthesis of his teachings with my convictions. </span><br />
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John Cassian</center>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Who was he?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Many of the teachings of Evagrius were adapted by and imported into the Western church by John Cassian (c. 360-435 A.D.) of Rome. Early in his career, Cassian interviewed many of the world's leading authorities on spirituality and asceticism, most of whom lived in Egypt at the time. These interviews form the foundation of his twenty-four volume series, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Conferences</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">. Conference V, an interview with an abbot named Serapion, is about the eight principal faults.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Later in life, he established a few monasteries in Gaul (modern France). His twelve-volume series, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Institutes of the Coenobia and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, established guidelines on how people should function in a monastic community. The final eight books in this series address the basic patterns (one book per pattern). These writings continue to influence modern monasticism.</span><br />
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The Desert Fathers</center>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Are ancient monastic writings relevant for today?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The short answer: yes. The long answer requires a bit of simple review on the origins of monasticism and asceticism.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">During the first three hundred years of church history, Christians lived under the very real threat of persecution. Some areas were more dangerous than others, but every one was at risk. This changed when the Roman Emperor Constantine I (c. 274-337 A.D.) became a Christian and issued an edict of religious tolerance.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Christianity rapidly changed from an "illicit religion" to something quite popular. Churches filled up with those who were trying to curry imperial favor or to satisfy their own curiosity. Hypocrisy, which was inconceivable in the persecuted church era, became a very real problem. Many devout Christians chose to distance themselves from the institutional church. They retreated from public life to live in seclusion and without distraction. Some lived as hermits, while others joined together and formed communities known as monasteries.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Asceticism (a lifestyle of self-denial) also has its roots in this era. Early Christians did not generally seek out persecution, but accepted it as a reality. They drew comfort from the fact that it was evidence of a relationship with Jesus Christ and would be rewarded with a crown of righteousness. The greatest possible demonstration of love is to give up your life for your friends (or Friend). Martyrdom was acknowledged as the epitome of spirituality.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Many formerly oppressed Christians struggled with this new tolerance. Almost overnight, the Christian life became relatively easy to live. This required a radical adjustment in thinking: they were no longer called upon to suffer persecution and martyrdom. Sacrificial devotion then took on new forms as Christians sought alternatives to martyrdom. Instead of giving up one's life, one could take vows of celibacy, poverty and/or fasting. These freely made sacrifices made it possible to spend more time in undistracted prayer, study and service. [Note: Some communities later carried this concept to unhealthy extremes, including self-inflicted torture. This is far removed from the original intent and is not at all an accurate picture of true asceticism.]</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Evagrius lived in a time when hypocrisy was a threat to the integrity of the church. He identified patterns of thought that led many into spiritual bondage. He encouraged Christians to strengthen each other so they could live unselfishly and victoriously. Not much has changed. Hypocrisy and selfishness still run rampant. Pride, lust, greed, anger, etc. continue to destroy lives. Fortunately, Evagrius did more than identify these dangers. He also scoured God's Word for safeguards and remedies. The dangers remain, but Scriptural solutions are timeless and always relevant.</span><br />
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Other Writers</center>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Danté Alighieri</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Danté Alighieri (1265-1321 A.D.) was a highly regarded Italian poet whose most famous work, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Divine Comedy,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> prominently featured the Seven Deadly Sins. This epic is divided into three sections entitled </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Inferno</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Purgatory</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, and </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Paradise</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">In </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Inferno,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> he takes an imaginary journey to the center of hell by traveling through nine concentric "circles.” The first circle, limbo, is a relatively gentle place reserved for unbelievers who did not quite deserve extreme judgment. After this, the punishments become increasingly severe. In order, the remaining circles are: 2) lust, 3) gluttony, 4) greed, 5) anger, 6) heresy, 7) violence, 8) fraud, and 9) treason.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Circles two through five neatly correspond to Evagrian patterns, and compose the Gray patterns of the Activity Index. According to Danté, these sins indicate a lack of self-control. The next two circles (heresy and violence) comprise sins that are part of the patterns of vainglory and pride. The remaining circles include a little of everything and do not easily map into the Evagrian scheme.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">In the next section, Danté scales the mountain of </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Purgatory</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, which is divided into seven levels -- one for each of the Deadly Sins. The more serious sins are purged first before moving to the next level and closer to Paradise. He follows the same sequence proposed earlier by Aquinas, namely: 1) pride, 2) envy, 3) wrath, 4) sloth, 5) avarice, 6) gluttony, and 7) lust.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Danté categorizes the deadly sins in relation to pure love. Gluttony, lust, and greed corrupt love through excess, i.e. "too much." Sloth (sadness and acedia?) is a case of insufficient love, i.e. "not enough." Anger, pride (and vainglory?) are perverse forms of love "gone awry." This arrangement almost, but not quite, correlates to the Faculty Index categories.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">It would be interesting to further pursue Danté's insights into the patterns, but after a brief survey of his work, it became obvious to me that it was beyond the scope of this project to try to integrate principles from </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Divine Comedy</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> into the </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">PIT</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">scan. For more information: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" target="_new">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">John Climacus</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">John Climacus (c. 579-649 A.D.), also known as John of the Ladder, was an ascetic who lived most of his life in the Sinai peninsula. The majority of his monastic career was spent in solitude, but he is fondly remembered as the abbot of the monastery at Mt. Sinai which later came to be known as St. Catherine's.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">His most famous book, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Ladder of Divine Ascent,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> descibes the upward path of those who seek God. It is fairly easy to understand and quite rich in vivid word pictures. Each "step" of the ladder either encourages one to do something (such as renouncing the world, step 1) or to avoid/cease something (slander, step 10). The eight patterns appear as steps in </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Ladder:</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> anger (8), vainglory (10, 22), sadness (13), gluttony (14), lust (15), greed (16, 17), acedia (18?), and pride (23).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">That John was heavily influenced by Evagrius and Cassian is beyond doubt. He employs much of the same terminology and concepts. However, Evagrius was still considered a heretic, and John disagreed with him on a number of doctrinal issues. Because I do not yet fully understand their differences, I have not attempted to include John's work in this project except for a few scattered quotes.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Ladder</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> is still highly regarded by many Christians (particularly those in the East), and it is often read during the Lenten Season. For more information:</span><a href="http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/The_Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" target="_new">http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/The_Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-9129341403680973222013-05-30T11:40:00.003-04:002022-10-18T08:38:15.108-04:00ASPIRE<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Practical suggestions for resisting any form of temptation ...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Spiritual warfare is not waged on an expansive battlefield. Because all possible forms of temptation fall into one or more of the eight patterns, there are a surprisingly limited number of spiritual battlegrounds.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Each pattern can assume many forms, which can make them difficult to successfully identify. Fortunately, the Scriptural remedies for the diverse forms within each pattern are remarkably similar. For example, lust can appear in many different guises, but is defeated in essentially the same way every time. This means that every form of lust is vulnerable to a relatively small number of spiritual countermeasures. Implement these basic suggestions and, regardless of the type of lust, victory is more attainable.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">While some remedies are particularly effective against specific patterns, certain activities are useful against every pattern. These universal remedies can be easily remembered by using the acronym ASPIRE: Abstain, Study, Pray, Intercede, Reflect, Examine.</span><br />
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There is some overlap among the ASPIRE remedies, which can help you implement multiple remedies at the same time. To determine which one to use first, identify your strengths and weaknesses in these six areas. Supplement your weaknesses with your strengths. For example, if you struggle to pray, but have little difficulty studying, then study about prayer. Any one of these remedies can stimulate and enhance the others.<a href="http://evagrius.net/articles.php?article_id=15#endnotes" style="color: black;">*</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="a1" style="text-decoration: underline;"></a></div>
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<tr><td><img align="absmiddle" border="0" src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/aspire1.gif" style="border: 0px;" usemap="#asp_bar" /><span style="font-family: serif;"><b> : Abstain ...</b></span></td><td align="right"><b><i>to be preserved</i></b> </td></tr>
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<li><b>... from those things every Christian should avoid.</b> We have no business visiting places, using products, or participating in activities that are ungodly. Some things are "off limits" to every Christian.</li>
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"Avoid every kind of evil." – 1 Thessalonians 5:22<br />
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"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way." – Proverbs 4:14-15</div>
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<li><b>... from those things you as an individual should avoid.</b> Consider the weaknesses of yourself and those around you. Do not offend your Christian brothers. Do not put yourself in a situation greater than your ability to endure. Avoid places and things that increase the pressure to sin.</li>
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"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak ... When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." – 1 Corinthians 8:9-13<br />
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"'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is constructive ... so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:23, 31</div>
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<li><b>... voluntarily from something you need and/or enjoy.</b> Fasting both requires and improves self-discipline and endurance. It works particularly well when joined to prayer, but is not an exercise for the weak of heart. For more information on fasting, read the<a href="http://evagrius.net/cgi-bin/tool.pl?pattern=1#3" style="color: black;">sidebar</a> in the article on gluttony.</li>
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"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen ... is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? ... and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." – Isaiah 58:6-7, 10<br />
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"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." – Matthew 6:16-18</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"Fast as much as you are able before the Lord ... it exults the soul, sanctifies your way of thinking, drives away demons and prepares you to be close to God ... [it] should be a matter of our own free choice and an ascetic labor of the soul." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Foundations 10</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"Better a fast with a pure heart than a feast celebrated in impurity of soul." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Exhortations to Monks 44</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="a2" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><br />
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<tr><td><img align="absmiddle" border="0" src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/aspire2.gif" style="border: 0px;" usemap="#asp_bar" /><span style="font-family: serif;"><b> : Study ...</b></span></td><td align="right"><b><i>to be equipped</i></b> </td></tr>
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<li><b>... through memorization.</b> Planting God's Word in your heart is a defensive measure. When you are under fire, those seeds of wisdom will come to mind and offer strength, encouragement and comfort.</li>
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"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." – Psalm 119:11<br />
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"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." – Colossians 3:16-17</div>
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<li><b>... by topic.</b> See what God has to say about the issue that is tormenting you. It is not easy to "go digging" for truth through in-depth study, but it is immeasurably valuable. Keep a journal to help you remember what you learn.</li>
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"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." – 2 Timothy 2:15<br />
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"Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." – 2 Corinthians 4:2</div>
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<li><b>... by survey.</b> Few portions of Scripture are intended for reading in small pieces. Read large passages of Scripture in one sitting, such as an entire book or several consecutive chapters. This will help you gain perspective and grasp "the big picture" – skills that are effective in defeating the patterns.</li>
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"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." – 1 Timothy 4:16<br />
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"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." – 2 Timothy 3:14-17</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"For a true man it is a bad error not to know the Scriptures." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Maxims III.13</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"Wherever evil enters, there is also ignorance; the hearts of the holy will be filled with knowledge." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Exhortations to Monks 24</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<li><b>.. for your needs.</b> Schedule your prayer time (when to start and when to stop). Be discreet and do not tolerate any distractions. Ask God for help, strength, wisdom, determination, comfort, purity, freedom, etc.</li>
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"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" – Matthew 7:7-12<br />
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"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." – James 1:5</div>
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<li><b>... in adoration of God.</b> He is worthy of praise, worship and reverence. Avoid excessive eloquence and unfocused ramblings to increase your enjoyment and benefit of prayer time. Do not limit yourself solely to prayers of warfare ("Help me!"), but includeprayers of welfare ("Hello, God. How are you? Let me tell you about my day.").</li>
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"I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." – Psalm 89:1-2<br />
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"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the 'gods' I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted." – Psalm 138:1-3</div>
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<li><b>... with a heart of thankfulness.</b> God's faithfulness is worthy of our gratitude. Giving thanks reduces distractions to prayer and increases our awareness of His goodness. It also helps you to remember that He will continue to take care of you.</li>
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"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." – 1 Corinthians 15:57<br />
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"... for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." – 1 John 5:4-5</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"If you are a theologian, you will pray truly; and if you pray truly, you will be a theologian." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Prayer 60</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"Prayer is an activity befitting the dignity of the mind, or, indeed, the superior and pure activity and use of the mind." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Prayer 84</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="a4" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><br />
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<li><b>... for others through prayer.</b> By taking your mind of your own trials and praying for someone else, you might discover that your situation is not as bad as it once looked. If you are focused on praying for others, then it will be harder for Satan to get your attention.</li>
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"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." – Ephesians 6:18<br />
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"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone..." – 1 Timothy 2:1</div>
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<li><b>... for others through service.</b> Prayer without service is hollow. Do not just pray for someone to be comforted, strengthened, etc. Permit God to use you to answer your own prayers of intercession, and do not neglect the single most importance act of intercession: evangelism.</li>
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"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." – James 2:14-17<br />
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"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." – 1 John 3:16-19</div>
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<li><b>... on your own behalf.</b> Think of this as "inverse intercession." Allow others to intercede for you. Submit to spiritual authority. Seek godly counsel. Do not push away those who want to help you. Establish accountability relationships.</li>
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"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." – Hebrews 13:17<br />
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"You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it." – 1 Corinthians 16:15-16</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"A stranger and a poor man [are] God's eye medication. One who welcomes them will quickly recover his sight. It is good to show beneficence to all, but more so to those unable to return the favor." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Maxims II.14-16</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"Intercession is an entreaty brought to God by a superior being concerning the salvation of others." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Reflections 30</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<tr><td><img align="absmiddle" border="0" src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/aspire5.gif" style="border: 0px;" usemap="#asp_bar" /><span style="font-family: serif;"><b> : Reflect ...</b></span></td><td align="right"><b><i>to be grounded</i></b> </td></tr>
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<li><b>... on God's majesty. </b>Stand in awe of who He is. Meditate on His goodness, love, holiness, justice, transcendence, etc. If you find yourself thinking about Him and being overwhelmed at the same time, then you are on the right track.</li>
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"'Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me,' declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty." – Jeremiah 2:19<br />
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"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe , for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" – Hebrews 12:28-29</div>
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<li><b>... on Christ's ministry.</b> Humbly appreciate what He has accomplished for us through His death and resurrection. Without His sacrifice mankind is utterly without hope.</li>
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"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." – John 3:16<br />
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"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" – Romans 8:31-32</div>
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<li><b>... on Scripture's message.</b> After reading and studying it, meditate upon it. Do not selectively ignore portions you find difficult to understand or accept. If it is the Bible, then God said it, and He intends you to embrace it.</li>
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"Then I thought, 'To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.' I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." – Psalm 77:10-12<br />
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"I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word ... Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long ... My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises." – Psalm 119:15-16, 97, 148</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"Revere God in deeds, praise Him in word, and honor Him in thought." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Maxims I.8</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"One who hates the knowledge of God and rejects the contemplation of Him is like one who pierces his own heart with a lance." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Exhortations to Monks 109</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<tr><td><img align="absmiddle" border="0" src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/aspire6.gif" style="border: 0px;" usemap="#asp_bar" /><span style="font-family: serif;"><b> : Examine ...</b></span></td><td align="right"><b><i>to be changed</i></b> </td></tr>
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<li><b>... your past.</b> Learn from your mistakes. Evaluate your behavior to determine where you erred and take steps to prevent the same type of failure from happening again. Do not wistfully reflect upon the pleasurableness of sin, but remind yourself of it's innate repugnance. Draw encouragement from prior spiritual victories. Look back at how He has used you in the past, and do not despair of being used again.</li>
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"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" – Hebrews 13:6<br />
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"Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." – Psalm 94:17-19</div>
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<li><b>... your present.</b> Do not forget you are a sinner who has offended a holy God (even redeemed sinners are still sinners). Do not ignore the wonderful opportunity you have to approach Him for forgiveness. Search your heart, confess your sinfulness, and repent of your ungodly actions and thoughts.</li>
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"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." – 1 John 1:8-9<br />
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"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." – Psalm 51:1-2</div>
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<li><b>... your future.</b> Are you being called to do something (or to stop doing something)? If so, then swiftly acknowledge Him and act accordingly. You must respond whenever the Holy Spirit moves and convicts you.</li>
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"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." – Proverbs 3:5-6<br />
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"When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." – John 16:8-11</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"Judge the thoughts in the tribunal of your heart so that, when the thieves are done away with, the chief thief may take fright; for one who is a rigorous examiner of his thoughts will also truly be a lover of the commandments." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Eulogios 12</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">"For it is not possible to receive knowledge of more numerous things if one is neglectful of those already known, lest having committed many transgressions one be answerable for more sins. And a blessed thing it is to serve the knowledge of God, for it is truly perilous not to do what it prescribes, and it is blessed to do all that it teaches." – Evagrius Ponticus, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Thoughts 26</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Endnotes</span></center>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The effectiveness of ASPIRE can be limited to varying degrees by the following factors:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="sec1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Conversion</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">ASPIRE works because there is a family relationship with God. His promises are to His children. Through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, He empowers and enriches these experiences. Without Him, ASPIRE is simply a series of hollow gestures.</span><br />
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"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." – 1 Corinthians 2:13-16</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">If you are not a born-again child of God, then you are in a very precarious position. To learn more about becoming a child of God, please visit </span><a href="http://www.twowaystolive.com/" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" target="_new">http://www.twowaystolive.com</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="sec2" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Confidence</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Your success depends more upon God than yourself. He started something wonderful when He purchased your salvation, and He will continue to invest in your life as you permit Him to do so. </span><br />
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"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." – Philippians 1:4-6</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Look forward to something good. Anticipate success. If you believe that you are a lost cause, and that victory over temptation is unattainable, then you will fulfill your own prophecy of doom.</span><br />
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="sec3" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Consistency</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">ASPIRE activities are not “one and done” acts. Reading three verses of Scripture or spending two minutes in prayer rarely accomplishes anything. When God tells us to pray, we are supposed to “pray without ceasing.” The same rings true when it comes to the other remedies: persistence is expected and rewarded.</span><br />
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"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." – Galatians 6:7-10</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Whenever you feel that you are not making significant progress, stick with it anyway. Spiritual growth is rarely a smooth, gradual ever-upward process. More often than not, great leaps of progress are preceded by long periods of apparent fruitlessness.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="sec4" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Calculation</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Nobody consistently does the right thing by accident. Victory is intentional. As you learn more about your spiritual condition, prayerfully and carefully determine a suitable course of action.</span><br />
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"I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. ... May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts." – Psalm 119:30, 173</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Address your greatest weakness first. Pound away at it until it is no longer your greatest weakness. The old cliché about a chain being as strong as its weakest link is also true of your spiritual defenses. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="sec5" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Companionship</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">God did not design us to function apart from other believers. Within the body of Christ, we can find comfort, encouragement, strength, and so much more.</span><br />
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"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:2</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">One important benefit of community is personal accountability, a helpful tool that complements all ASPIRE activities. For example, your accountability partners can help you keep your "withdrawal commitments” when fasting, or they can help you see things more accurately when you practice self-examination. And don't neglect the ultimate accountability partner: God Himself.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="sec6" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline;"></a><span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Other Activities</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">These things should never take the place of ASPIRE, but they can be helpful:</span><br />
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Enjoy good music.<br />
Read good books.<br />
Listen to good sermons.<br />
Attend good concerts, seminars, workshops, and retreats.</div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-74326722959919897592013-05-29T12:33:00.002-04:002022-10-18T09:05:53.804-04:00A Deeper Look at the Indicies<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Here are the indices in a little more detail.</span><br />
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<tr align="left" height="*"><td bgcolor="silver" class="fhead" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;" width="*"> Faculty Index</td><td align="middle" bgcolor="black" rowspan="5" valign="center" width="280"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/index1.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
How do the patterns of impure thought operate?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: Appetite</b><br />
Lacks self-discipline</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>White: Emotion</b><br />
Practices self-deception</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td background="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/indfacbg.gif"> <b>Checkered: Intellect</b><br />
Practices self-devotion</td></tr>
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<li>The mind is a spiritual battleground where the patterns of impure thought resist godliness by resisting and/or corrupting pure ways of thinking. These conflicts take place in three areas: natural desires (via the appetites), discernment (via the emotions), and the ability to reason (via the intellect).Unlike the other indices, this index returns three values which measure relative degrees of weakness among fundamental human faculties.</li>
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<li>When analyzing the three different values used for this index, remember that the first two values are calculated using three pattern scores, while the final value has only two components. Consequently, the "I" value is equal to roughly two-thirds of a comparable "A" or "E" value.</li>
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<li>Each faculty responds best to specific remedies:</li>
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<li><table align="center" border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="height: 100px; margin: 0px auto; width: 95%px;"><tbody>
<tr align="middle" bgcolor="silver" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="13%"></td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="29%"><b>Appetite</b></td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="29%"><b>Emotion</b></td><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="29%"><b>Intellect</b></td></tr>
<tr align="middle" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center">Pray for ...</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">... <i>purity</i> so that your desires may be appropriate and moderate.</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">... <i>enlightenment</i> so that you can discern and appreciate truth.</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">... <i>restraint</i> so that you do not become arrogant.</td></tr>
<tr align="middle" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center">Emphasis in<br />
<a href="http://evagrius.net/articles.php?article_id=15" style="color: black;">ASPIRE</a></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Abstain<br />
Reflect<br />
Examine</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Intercede</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Prayer<br />
Study</td></tr>
<tr align="middle" valign="top"><td style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center">Do ...</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">fast<br />
practice restraint<br />
submit to hardship<br />
renounce your possessions<br />
long for heaven<br />
desire godliness</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">love<br />
sympathize<br />
be kind and gentle<br />
show compassion<br />
refuse to retaliate when wronged</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">have faith<br />
embrace truth<br />
study the Scriptures<br />
pray ferventl<br />
be grateful</td></tr>
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<li>In 1 John 2:15-17, the Apostle John refers to three types of worldliness that correspond perfectly to this index. They are the lust of the eyes (Appetite), the lust of the flesh (Emotion), and the pride of life (Intellect).</li>
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<tr align="left" height="*"><td bgcolor="silver" class="fhead" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;" width="*"> Gateway Index</td><td align="middle" bgcolor="black" rowspan="4" valign="center" width="280"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/index2.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
Which patterns of impure thought deserve special attention?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: Follower</b><br />
"Searching for something" and willing to experiment to find it</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>White: Leader</b><br />
No longer searching, but settled into a comfortable routine</td></tr>
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<li>Some patterns lead, while others follow. White patterns "open the gate" and allow Gray patterns to enter and become established. In contrast, each Gray pattern tends to feed itself rather than encourage development elsewhere. For instance, unchecked gluttony eventually fuels or becomes lust, whereas lust most frequently leads to greater lust. The arrows in the diagram indicate the most common leader/follower relationships.Because of White's tendency to spread, success here is essential and necessary before victories over Gray are likely to be won.</li>
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<li>It is important to watch out for all of the patterns; however, the "leader" patterns definitely create increased vulnerabilities to the "follower" patterns, making them especially dangerous. Evagrius cited only three such leader patterns <i>(Gl Gr Va)</i> which always came first, making it impossible to succumb to other five without first falling to one of the "Big Three." For example, he claimed it was impossible to fall to lust without first falling to gluttony.</li>
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<li>I do not quite share his conviction regarding the absolute nature of the leader/follower relationships between the patterns. Thus I have added sadness to the "leader" category with the understanding that while acedia almost always follows sadness, it is not an absolute certainty. Having said all of this, the initial point remains -– the "leader" patterns warrant extra vigilance.</li>
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<li>Several ancient authorities agree with Evagrius on the "Big Three" including John Climacus, Maximus the Confessor, John of Karpathos, John of Damascus, Thalassios the Libyan, Theodoros The Great Ascetic, Nikitas Stithatos, Gregory of Sinai, and others. See the comments on the Caution Index for a different perspective on the "Big Three."</li>
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<li>At least one gateway pattern is present in each of the Faculty Index groupings.</li>
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<li>When viewed as four groups of two, this index offers some additional insight into remedy: <i>Gl Lu</i> are deprived through self-control, <i>Gr An</i> are tamed through generosity, <i>Sa Ac</i> are purified through zeal, and <i>Va Pr</i> are corrected through humility.</li>
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<tr align="left" height="*"><td bgcolor="silver" class="fhead" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;" width="*"> Provocation Index</td><td align="middle" bgcolor="black" rowspan="4" valign="center" width="280"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/index3.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
What activates, arouses or provokes the patterns of impure thought?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: External</b><br />
Places too much value on one's own desires</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>White: Internal</b><br />
Places too little value on what God desires</td></tr>
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<li>Gray patterns almost always require an external (but not necessarily a physical) trigger. Lust, greed and anger typically have an object, while vainglory cannot take place in a vacuum. A persistent desire to acquire or attain something is convincing evidence that these thoughts are gaining ground.White patterns are more natural and internal. These thoughts can spring unbidden from within and do not require an external object to take root and grow. Rather than embracing something (as is the case with Gray), various forms of rejection are practiced instead.</li>
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<li>At first glance, gluttony may not look like an internally provoked pattern, but it is actually a perversion of a natural desire that rejects restraint. The need for food is certainly internal. Gluttony is not externally provoked, but rather is externally manifested.</li>
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<li>Envy, a prominent member of the list of seven deadly sins, does not appear as a separate entry in the <i>PIT</i>scan, but it can be found here as a combination of the externally provoked (Gray) patterns.</li>
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<tr align="left" height="*"><td bgcolor="silver" class="fhead" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;" width="*"> Manifestation Index</td><td align="middle" bgcolor="black" rowspan="4" valign="center" width="280"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/index4.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
What manner of conduct springs from the patterns of impure thought?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: External</b><br />
Impulsive and unconcerned with what others think</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>White: Internal</b><br />
Deliberate and overly concerned with what others think</td></tr>
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<li>This index is closely related to the Provocation Index. Once a pattern has been provoked, it inevitably moves beyond one's inner thought life and begins to influence both physical and mental forms of behavior.Gray patterns tend to initially produce more obvious, but not necessarily public, activity. This is in stark contrast to White patterns, which often lead to more reflective and private conduct. The former involves the senses (<i>i.e.</i>, gluttony), but the latter can be committed while alone in a quiet, dark room (<i>i.e.</i>, anger).</li>
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<li>This index attempts to measure how someone commits to embarking on a course of sinful activity. They can be very deliberate (Gray) or quite rash (White) in coming to a point of decision. For example, a temper tantrum is an impulsive manifestation of anger, but lustful actions can be preceded by a lengthy period of anticipation before more concrete actions occur.</li>
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<tr align="left" height="*"><td bgcolor="silver" class="fhead" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;" width="*"> Caution Index</td><td align="middle" bgcolor="black" rowspan="4" valign="center" width="280"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/index5.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
How do the patterns of impure thought impact one's judgment?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: Impulsive</b><br />
Willing to delay gratification to get maximum results</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>White: Intentional</b><br />
Seeks instant gratification, but unhappy with its results</td></tr>
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<li>White patterns cause someone to be less cautious in their pursuit of satisfaction. Their behavior may actually hamper their ability to get what they want. For instance, an angry outburst may fail to produce the desired results, and make it even more difficult to attain their desired outcome.Gray patterns are characterized by a more deliberate, yet narrow, consideration of consequences. Any behavior that impedes "progress" towards an impure objective is carefully avoided. These patterns have an uncanny sense of self-preservation. For example, lustful thoughts rarely produce obstacles to further lustful thinking.</li>
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<li>Unlike the Manifestation Index (which attempts to measure how one initiates a course of action), this index attempts to measure how one continues in that same course of action. One can be either quite deliberate or quite rash in their pursuit of satisfaction. For example, a person could rashly choose to covet something, yet pursue a deliberate manner of attaining it.</li>
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<li>It is important to clarify how the concept of caution is being used within this index. Instead of referring to an awareness of the devastating power of sin (which would produce a godly and healthy caution), it refers to an awareness of things that may negatively impact their ability to satisfy their impure desires (which is a dangerous form of caution).</li>
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<li>Much like Evagrius before him, Cassian also envisioned a group of leader patterns, but he proposed <i>Gl Va Pr</i> instead of <i>Gl Gr Va</i>. Citing the temptations of Adam and Christ as examples, he believed that Satan always attempts to enter first through one of these three patterns:</li>
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<tr align="middle" valign="center"><td style="font-size: 11px;" width="20%"></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Gluttony</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Vainglory</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">Pride</td></tr>
<tr align="middle" bgcolor="silver" valign="center"><td style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><b>Adam</b><br />
Gen 3:6</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">"take and eat"</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">"your eyes will be opened"</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">"you will be like God"</td></tr>
<tr align="middle" valign="center"><td style="font-size: 11px;" valign="center"><b>Christ</b><br />
Lk 4:1-13</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">"turn stones to bread"</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">"jump off the temple"</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">"worship me ..."</td></tr>
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<i>Note: Evagrius thought the worship temptation of Christ was greed (" ... and I will give the whole world ...") rather than pride.</i></center>
</li>
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<li>I mention this here because Cassian's "Big Three" is very similar to the Gray pattern set of this index.</li>
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<tr align="left" height="*"><td bgcolor="silver" class="fhead" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;" width="*"> Moderation Index</td><td align="middle" bgcolor="black" rowspan="4" valign="center" width="280"><img src="https://images.evagrius.net/articles/index6.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
How are the patterns of impure thought subdued or defeated?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: Tame</b><br />
Insensitive and callous to certain sins ("I don't care if it's wrong.")</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td> <b>White: Avoid</b><br />
Wants to avoid certain sins, but struggles to do so ("I'd stop if I could.")</td></tr>
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<li>White patterns are not always sinful; however, they are always dangerous. They have the potential to develop into impure thought, which can lead to ungodly behavior. For instance, there are righteous ways to be angry, but if it is not resolved in a timely manner it can quickly become impure anger. The problem with White patterns is excess. White says, "I know I shouldn't do it, but I can't stop."On the other hand, Gray patterns are always sinful. By definition, there simply are no godly forms of pride, sadness, greed or lust. Instead of taming these patterns (as is necessary with White), they should never even be entertained. Gray says, "I know it's wrong, but I don't care."</li>
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<li>Since the pattern definitions used throughout the <i>PIT</i>scan are substantially different than common usage, it might be helpful to review the pattern definitions while considering this index. For example, pride (by definition) is a declaration of independence from God. Because this is never acceptable, it belongs in the Gray category. But what about a father saying that he is proud of his son? Is that a sin? No, it is not, because that is not really an expression of pride (again, by definition). He is actually pleased with son and has expressed pleasure, not pride.</li>
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<li>Similarly, sadness is dissatisfaction with God and never includes godly sorrow or bereavement. Greed is never an example of good stewardship. Lust has absolutely nothing to do with appropriate spousal affection. The Gray patterns are always wrong.</li>
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<li>White patterns are typically problems of excess. For instance, overeating is a common form of gluttony, but the sin is not in the act, but the excess. Likewise, the restfulness of acedia is necessary, but not in excess. Anger can be expressed correctly. To acknowledge the personal possession of a skill, talent, or resource can be done with honesty and humility rather than vanity. It is possible to correct the White patterns. In some situations, the outward behavior would be acceptable if only the inward attitudes were adjusted.</li>
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<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
Where do the patterns of impure thought ultimately lead?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: More</b><br />
Increasing level of activity in quest for satisfaction</td></tr>
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<li>This index builds upon the Gateway Index by showing how the patterns are components of two continual, self-sustaining processes. In the Gray progression, legitimate needs (gluttony) become illegitimate desires (lust), and as efforts to fulfill these desires (greed) fail to bring lasting peace, intense frustration develops (anger). Similarly, the White progression starts with feelings of superiority (vainglory) that turn into feelings of independence (pride), which produces loneliness and dissatisfaction (sadness) that eventually becomes a crippling apathy (acedia).Both progressions lead to enslavement and, ultimately, destruction.</li>
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<li>Cassian addressed the issue of pattern progression by placing the first six patterns into one category and the remaining two in another. He taught that each pattern was dependent on the ones preceding it (1 led to 2 which led to 3, etc.). One path to victory would be to address the prior patterns (attack 5 for assistance in fighting 6). This 1-6 progression works in both directions. <i>[Note: Cassian chooses to swap anger and sadness in his ordering of the patterns.]</i></li>
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<li>However, vainglory and pride (7-8) belong in a separate category because vulnerabilities to them were created by attaining victory against any of the other patterns. Accordingly, a victory against 6 makes one weaker against 7 (not stronger, as one might suspect).</li>
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<li>The Activity Index is very similar to Cassian's categories mentioned above, yet attempts to measure activity, instead of victory conditions. Interestingly, anger can lead to sadness, at which point the Gray pattern progression merges into White.</li>
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<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
How are the patterns of impure thought identified?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: External</b><br />
Recognizes own repeated failures and needs to hear good counsel</td></tr>
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Denies own repeated failures and needs to heed good counsel</td></tr>
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<li>White patterns thrive in the "blind spot." Those who have fallen here either refuse to recognize their failure, or they dismiss it as unimportant. For example, someone might justify losing their temper as acceptable due to extenuating circumstances, instead of believing it to be an act of ungodliness. While it is difficult to see these patterns in one's self, it is much easier to recognize them as sinful in others.Gray patterns are more readily self-recognized. Those who struggle with gluttony, lust or sloth are especially aware of their problem, but they often feel powerless to correct it.</li>
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<li>Evagrius saw two kinds of demons which tempt man: those who appeal to the rational part of man, and those who appeal to the non-rational part <i>(Thoughts 18)</i>. The White patterns are identical to the rational temptations, but the Gray patterns are not exclusively irrational. There is a layer of significance to this index that currently eludes me.</li>
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<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
How do the patterns of impure thought impede the pursuit of God?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: Distort</b><br />
Deliberately chooses to neglect the spiritual disciplines</td></tr>
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<li>Gray patterns hinder spiritual growth by causing one to undervalue the spiritual disciplines (such as prayer, Scripture reading, fasting, meditation, etc.) because they are perceived to be either unnecessary or ineffective.White patterns tend to hinder spiritual growth by erecting obstacles to the practice of the spiritual disciplines. One is likely to either forget to do them or to be fairly easily distracted while trying to do them. This, in turn, can lead to feelings of guilt and/or inadequacy which discourage future attempts at discipline.</li>
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<li>Spiritual immaturity or naivety appears to be a contributing factor in the White patterns, and is correctable through growth. The Gray patterns are more often evidence of "carnal maturity."</li>
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<li>This index might also be called the Nature Index. Gray patterns are unnatural and must be granted admittance before they can take root. This can happen through either carelessness or bad habit. White patterns more closely resembles fire or iron, which are intrinsically amoral. These natural desires are perverted into something dangerous and put to inappropriate uses.</li>
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<li>Both sets of patterns can be broken down into two further subcategories:</li>
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<i>Distort</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">arrogant <i>(Ac Pr)</i><br />
"I don't need this."</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">skeptical <i>(Gr Va)</i><br />
"It doesn't work."</td></tr>
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<i>Distract</i></td><td style="font-size: 11px;">forgetful<i>(Gl Sa)</i><br />
"Oops."</td><td style="font-size: 11px;">distracted <i>(Lu An)</i><br />
"Where was I?"</td></tr>
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<tr height="*"><td> <b>Answers the question:</b><br />
How do the patterns of impure thought impact my relationships with others?</td></tr>
<tr height="*"><td bgcolor="silver"> <b>Gray: Unavailable</b><br />
Resists the practice of reasonable restraint and acts unpredictably</td></tr>
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Resists being instructed or corrected</td></tr>
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<li>White patterns are a part of mankind's fallen nature. Men are born capable of behavior which is in the spirit of these patterns. The focus is on one's self with little consideration given to the negative impact that poor choices will have on others.Gray patterns are acquired through exposure and "perfected" through imitation and practice. There is an awareness of others, but the focus remains on self as they are merely seen as a means to the end of personal satisfaction.</li>
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<li>Community standards can play a role in determining if certain behaviors are right or wrong. This is especially true of the Gray patterns which contain a strong cultural component. What encourages sinful behavior in one culture may not necessarily achieve the same results in another. For example, a man looking at a woman's unbound hair can cause problems in certain cultures, but not in others. However, not all Gray behavior is relative to culture, as there are some acts which are universally sinful, such as adultery.</li>
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<li>White patterns tend to be more acultural. For example, outbursts of anger look pretty much the same everywhere.</li>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-71341714363696581372013-05-28T11:43:00.001-04:002022-10-18T08:32:38.909-04:00The Enemies of Godliness<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">A survey of the opposition in spiritual warfare.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">In explaining the parable of the sower, Jesus described three types of poor ground:</span><br />
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"Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." – Mark 4:15<br />
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"Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." – Mark 4:16-17<br />
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"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." – Mark 4:18-19</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">While the ground of the beaten path clearly represents those who are tempted by Satan, the remaining soils reveal two additional enemies of God's Word: the world and ourselves. The world, which does not comprehend the things of God, persecutes His children. We are also a frequent barrier to the work of God in our own lives, as evidenced by the worries, lies, and desires that come from within ourselves.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Thus, there are three (not one) major avenues of temptation. This may seem like a minor issue, but it is quite significant. All temptation does not come exclusively from the devil; it is possible to be tempted without his direct involvement. Failure to recognize all potential enemies is quite dangerous and entirely unnecessary.</span><br />
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It is also is important to remember that, regardless of its source, there is a concrete intelligence behind every temptation. It customizes its approach and it adapts to our responses. Whatever the suggestion there is a reasonable expectation that we will consent to it.<br />
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<i>Note: This overview is far from universal or comprehensive. Only general tendencies are described below, and numerous exceptions can be found.</i><br />
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Satan</span></center>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Who is he?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Many Christians quickly become uncomfortable when a discussion turns to the subject of Satan. They may downplay his significance or even deny his existence. To them, Satan is little more than an embarrassing symbol of an obsolete and ignorant era. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">This perspective could not possibly differ any further from the beliefs of most early Christians. They believed there was a realm of spiritual beings that included hordes of malicious demons. One of the most widely read early Christian books, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Life of Antony</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> by Athanasius, describes intense spiritual warfare continually being waged by the title character. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">These extremes are examples of how Satan uses his favorite tool, deception. He will repudiate the truth or exaggerate the truth, but he cannot tolerate the truth. Consequently, the best defense against his tricks is to know the truth about him. The Apostle Paul says as much while counseling the church at Corinth.</span><br />
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"... in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." – 2 Corinthians 2:11</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Denial</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The Scriptures clearly teach He is a real person with a hostile agenda. Jesus called him the father of lies (John 8:44). If the truth were widely accepted, then his ability to maneuver would be severely limited; therefore, he denies the truth about himself in at least three key areas: his existence, his objectives, and his accomplishments. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">He denies his own existence.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> It is not an accident that so many people (including many Christians) do not think he is real. If you do not take him seriously, then his job is much easier. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">He frequently denies his own objectives.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> When he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, he hid his true intentions from her. He did not tell Eve what he was doing there. He neglected to mention his failed coup. He certainly was not there for her benefit. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">We often think Satan promotes evil for the sake of promoting evil, but that is too simplistic. His actions are guided by a very clear purpose: he wants to sit on God's throne. Everything he does is driven by this intense desire. He is focused, organized and intentional. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">He often denies his own accomplishments.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Even though he holds the patent on pride, he does not have to be acclaimed for everything he does. He often prefers to work in anonymity, and is content to delay gratification if it furthers his long-range plans. In many ways, he practices a much better form of self-denial than do most Christians. </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Exaggeration</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Not only does Satan avoid "taking credit" when it is due, he also loves to take credit for things that are not true. As part of his "anything but truth" policy, he falsely claims to have power and authority that he does not truly possess. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Many of those who do accept the existence of Satan erroneously </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">think he is more powerful than he really is.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Satan is merely one created being with many creaturely limitations. He is powerful, but is not all-powerful. He is intelligent, but is not all-knowing. He is creative, but is not the Creator. He desires to be like God, but is not deity. He would like to be perceived as an equally capable alternative to God, but he is not even close. Having made this point, Satan should still be warily respected because he rules a vast host of demons, which, like him, are bent on our destruction. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Satan professes to have authority he does not have.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> He wants us to believe that he can give us whatever we desire. He promises happiness and success if we submit to him, but he does not have the authority to truly grant these wishes. The best things he can offer are just cheap counterfeits of God's true gifts. For example, God offers peace that passes understanding and is unlike anything the world has to offer, while Satan's best imitation of this gift is a simple and temporary respite. </span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">What does he want?</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">To replace God.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> By opposing the redemptive work of Christ, deceiving mankind, and persecuting believers, he hopes to reach this goal. Temptation is his primary means of accomplishing these tasks. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">The process of temptation is fairly straightforward. An ungodly suggestion is made, which is then considered for its merits. A sin is committed once the proposal is found acceptable. Sustained acceptance leads to spiritual bondage. Essentially, Satan is the Master Suggester (see the sidebar on lust for more information).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Contrary to popular opinion, Satan does not have intimate knowledge of our inner thoughts. Like an experienced interrogator, he looks for clues and signs to figure out what we are thinking, but he cannot read our minds. His suggestions are simply educated guesses, albeit very good ones, based on his extensive experience. Without our consent, he is powerless. The devil cannot make us do anything. </span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">How does he operate?</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With purpose.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Many Christians assume that Satan knows he is going to lose. While his ultimate defeat is clearly prophesied in Scripture, I believe he rejects the idea. He is simply too active and too focused to be fighting for a hopelessly doomed cause. He is aware that God has said he will lose, but he knew that God would resist him from the very moment he rebelled. Satan is so twisted and warped by his pride that he thinks he can still win, and this makes him even more dangerous.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With vision.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Satan does not have to win every battle if a loss can be turned to his advantage. He often "throws" one fight to instill a false sense of victory. For example, he may "tempt" you in an area where you can easily resist him. While you win the initial confrontation, you are now more vulnerable to suggestions of vanity (see the sidebar on vainglory for more information).</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With experience.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Satan is not interested in a challenge, much less a fair fight. He has no interest in attacking areas of strength, but seeks to take advantage of weakness. If something is working for him, then he will stick to it until he is finally rebuffed. </span><br />
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<i>With evaluation.</i> Satan intentionally and frequently attacks those who pose greater threats to his plans. The easiest way to escape his notice is to remain spiritually stagnant, but this creates more problems than it solves (see the sidebar on pride for more information).<br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">What is his weakness?</span><br />
God is greater than Satan. Practice humility and submission (ASPIRE's Reflection).</div>
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"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. ... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." – James 4:7-10</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Ourselves</span></center>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">What are we?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">We are unique. When God created the universe, He gave some gifts and responsibilities exclusively to mankind, such as dominion over the earth, the ability to make moral choices, and our most precious privilege, the honor of bearing His image.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">We are the only creatures to be made in the image of God. This fundamental truth carries with it at least two important implications: 1) God Himself is the blueprint from which we were created, and 2) we are to positively reflect the nature of God.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Although mankind's initial state of perfection is modeled after God's, it is subtly different. His perfection is an unalterable and inseparable part of His very nature, but creaturely perfection (such as ours) is neither unalterable nor inseparable from who we are. Unlike God, our perfect condition had the potential to change.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">This was possible because we were also entrusted with free will. Satan suggested to the first humans that they could be like God, which is puzzling because they were already more like God than any other created thing. They agreed with Satan, chose to disregard God's will and acted out of pure self-interest.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Their choice had devastating consequences. Once they attempted to supersede God, they surrendered their perfection. They still bore His image, but now imperfectly so. Their ability to make moral choices was also corrupted. Not only were they damaged, but everything else under their care also suffered. All of their descendants would be born with sin-inclined natures, and creation itself would groan under the weight of being managed by successive generations of sinful men. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">God still loved man and set out to restore what they had ruined. Jesus Christ made redemption possible, and whenever people accept Him as Savior, they are given a new nature. While on earth, our new nature uneasily coexists with our old sinful nature (also referred to in Scripture as the flesh, the carnal nature, the old man, etc.). When our time on earth is over, the process of redemption will be completed and our sinful natures will be discarded. Only then will we be completely restored.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">This summary of our Creation and Fall is relevant to victorious Christian living. We need to understand that we possess dual natures, one of which is fallen and inclined towards evil. It is quite possible, and quite common, to sin without ever being tempted by Satan or his accomplices.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Many centuries ago, a young Christian asked Poemen (an early monastic authority) about temptation. He asked, “Why do the demons attack me?” Poemen replied, “Is it the demons who attack you? It is not the demons who attack me. When we follow our self-will then our wills seem like demons and it is they who urge us to obey them. If you want to know the kind of people with whom the demons fight, it is Moses and those like him.” </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Sayings of the Desert Fathers X.62</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">. [Note: This mention of Moses most likely refers to Moses the Black (c. 330-405 A.D.), a highly respected contemporary.]</span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">What do we want?</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Pleasure.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> In and of itself, pleasure is not a bad thing. That every soul craves satisfaction is a universal, unchangeable, and undeniable truth. God intentionally made us this way so He could abundantly fulfill our desires for happiness.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, our sinful nature makes it difficult for us to find true happiness. We still desperately want it, but we look for it in places where it cannot be found. Many things promise happiness (such as sex, drugs, fame, power, etc.), but can only deliver emptiness. We are so busy pursuing happiness that we never experience it.</span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">How do we operate?</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With deception.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Our single-minded quests for personal satisfaction are undertaken at the expense of others. By nature, we put ourselves above and before others, because we "know" our own "needs" are important. "Me first" behavior is, at first, morally uncomfortable, so we must lie to ourselves to justify our selfishness. We foolishly tell ourselves that we do not need anybody else's help, advice or concern. Ultimately, self-delusion leads to impaired judgment, a weakened conscience, and extreme loneliness.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With company.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> As long as it does not compromise our feelings of self-sufficiency, we enjoy company. It is easier to convince yourself that your own sinful behavior is acceptable if you are not the only one doing it. If we cannot find a crowd already doing what we want to do, then we will attempt to assemble one.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With diversion.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Practicing virtue (such as ASPIRE) threatens to weaken our flesh, so it responds by getting in the way whenever we try to do right. Prayer can become a distraction-filled struggle for focus. Bible study can turn into a search for trivial minutiae. Self-examination can be hindered by anxiety and worry. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With darkness.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> Temptations springing from the sinful nature are so often successful because they are so easily misidentified and misunderstood. Sinful desires are often deemed acceptable because they are natural. ("If it feels good, do it."). The flesh thrives until it is rightfully exposed as a corrupt, fallen, broken and sinful nature.</span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">What is our weakness?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">God is greater than our flesh. Diligently practice repentance (ASPIRE's Examination).</span><br />
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"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." – Romans 7:21-25</div>
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<span class="fsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">The World</span></center>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">What is it?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Others. Not only do you have a sinful nature, but so does everybody else you know. The world is full of competing sinful natures bent on achieving their own goals. To make matters even worse, Satan recognizes the world's usefulness and manipulates it to his advantage. The same temptation often comes to many different people in the same community at the same time.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">This does not mean that Satan and the world are true allies because they do not really look out for each other's well-being. However, Satan is crafty and appeals to our flesh through the world. He is not particularly concerned with the method of our downfall as long is it occurs. If he can lead us into bondage, then he will abandon us there to let the world do what it will.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Take care that you are not a part of the world to those around you. Do not let your sinful nature encourage others to sin. To say that God does not appreciate it when you cause someone else to stumble is a vast understatement.</span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">What does it want?</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Approval.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> People do not want to be scrutinized. They do not want to be told that they are wrong. Generally speaking, we are willing to avoid judging others to escape having judgment passed on our own behavior. People can do this to buy silence, which is then tacitly used as a basis for self-justification.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">This is possible because the world has tried to usurp God's position as the standard by which all truth is measured. Many cultures have abandoned the concept of absolute truth in favor of moral relativism. Many behaviors once rightly regarded as sinful have slowly and steadily gained acceptance in the court of public opinion. "Do whatever works for you" is now regarded as good advice. Today, everybody can be right and wrong is simply an unfortunate state of mind.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Despite the world's fondness for acceptance, it rarely tolerates any form of intolerance. This is an ingenious method that can be used to justify virtually anything. Whenever the world calls someone or something intolerant, it allows them to feel enlightened and claim to be morally superior.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">For example, consensual sex between unmarried adults is widely considered to be acceptable. If you object to this idea, then the world will find you to be either foolish or offensive; however, they err by assuming that their opinions matter. It does not. Truth is never determined by a majority. Legitimacy is not bestowed by popular opinion. When the absolute authority on moral behavior unequivocally states that something is wrong, then it is wrong whether or not we agree.</span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">How does it operate?</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With fraudulence.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> The world functions similar to both Satan and our flesh. Like Satan, it makes false promises that it cannot possibly fulfill. Like our sin nature, it attempts to recruit others to join them in their ungodly behavior. Many advertisements work effectively from this principle. "Use this thing and you will be beautiful, happy and popular. Look at all the other beautiful, happy and popular people who enjoy this thing."</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With entanglement.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> People have a tendency to look around and see others as competition. Those who accomplish great things uncomfortably "raise the bar," so the world takes whatever steps it can to discourage growth and depth in others. By encouraging compromises and creating distractions it reduces the pressure to perform at a high level. It is hard to grow up when the world holds you down.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With desertion.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> The world does not offer retirement plans or loyalty bonuses. You are only sought by the world as long as you have something to offer it. Once you have been reduced to an empty shell, then you are discarded without any care whatsoever. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">With hostility.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> If the world cannot recruit you, it will persecute you. Mockery, slander, flattery, dissension, violence, intimidation, and even martyrdom, are a few of the weapons that can be used to knock you down to size.</span><br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">What is the world's weakness?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">God is greater than the world. Avoid its enticements (ASPIRE's Abstinence). It cannot tempt you if you are not there.</span><br />
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"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world -- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does -- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." – 1 John 2:15-17</div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;" />David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558002629827751410.post-75254436116474656072013-05-28T11:38:00.000-04:002014-01-02T09:47:54.914-05:00Foundational Principles<div class="main-body floatfix" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; padding: 4px 0px 5px;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">A brief summary of the basic principles upon which this site is based.</span><br />
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Our spiritual condition is <a href="http://evagrius.net/articles.php?article_id=18#c1" style="color: black;">knowable</a>, <a href="http://evagrius.net/articles.php?article_id=18#c2" style="color: black;">dynamic</a>, <a href="http://evagrius.net/articles.php?article_id=18#c3" style="color: black;">interesting</a>, <a href="http://evagrius.net/articles.php?article_id=18#c4" style="color: black;">unique</a>, and <a href="http://evagrius.net/articles.php?article_id=18#c5" style="color: black;">improvable</a>.<br />
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<span class="fsubsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="c1" style="text-decoration: underline;"></a>Our spiritual condition is <i>knowable</i>.</span><br />
We do not have to be in the dark concerning our relationship with God. It is possible to know our own strengths and weaknesses. We can be aware of our successes and failures. We can identify and use those resources God has placed at our disposal.<br />
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"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." – 1 John 5:13<br />
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"... in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." – 2 Corinthians 2:11<br />
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"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." – Ephesians 1:3</div>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="c2" style="text-decoration: underline;"></a>Our spiritual condition is <i>dynamic</i>.</span><br />
Our goal as Christians is to become more like Christ. We are always either progressing or regressing towards this goal, but we never stay unchanged. We will be held responsible for our growth or lack of growth.<br />
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"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." – 1 Corinthians 13:11<br />
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"Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." – 1 Corinthians 14:20<br />
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"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." – 2 Corinthians 3:18</div>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="c3" style="text-decoration: underline;"></a>Our spiritual condition is <i>interesting</i>.</span><br />
We do not live alone. Our spiritual growth is of interest to others. God seeks to help us grow through various means, while there are also various forces at work striving to prevent our growth. This conflict takes place in the life of every individual. We are spiritual battlegrounds.<br />
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"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." – Ephesians 6:10-12<br />
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"... for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." – 1 John 5:4-5<br />
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"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." – 1 Peter 5:8-9</div>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="c4" style="text-decoration: underline;"></a>Our spiritual condition is <i>unique</i>.</span><br />
Every person is configured differently. Each individual is more vulnerable in some areas and stronger in others. For instance, someone easily ensnared by anger may rarely be trapped by sadness, while another person prone to pride might be especially resistant to lust. Our unique nature indicates our place in the body of Christ, which allows us to help and to be helped by other Christians.<br />
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"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." – Romans 15:1-2<br />
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"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ... All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11<br />
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"Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." – Romans 13:7</div>
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<span class="fsubsection" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3558002629827751410" name="c5" style="text-decoration: underline;"></a>Our spiritual condition is <i>improvable</i>.</span><br />
We are not without hope. Remedies, solutions, and defenses can be pursued and implemented. Improvement is possible. Accurate assessment of one's own condition through self-examination is vital. Once you know what you are up against, you are at least one step closer to victory.<br />
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"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." – Philippians 4:13<br />
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"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." – 2 Corinthians 2:14<br />
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"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." – 1 Corinthians 10:13</div>
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0