Episode 23 -- Spiritual Combat c14.1 -- When the Will Seems Overpowered

What happens when our passions are so strong that the will to do what is right seems almost overpowered?

In our last episode, we finished the somewhat long and somewhat confusing chapter 13.

The main point of the chapter is this: Christian perfection requires repeated acts of will in conformity with God’s will.

The main problem: the spirit (higher part of our soul) is willing, but the flesh (the lower part) is weak. Our lower part of the soul (emotions or passions or sensuality) give us great trouble. We feel tempted. We feel distaste, annoyance, repulsion.

What to do? The chapter makes the following suggestions that can be summarized:

1. Resist disordered passions, release resistance to give another resistance, resist 3rd time when tempted, make acts of opposite virtues.
2. Trial of patience offers a good example of what he is talking about.
3. Impatience has a root: fear of being disrepected and not applauded
4. The need for frequent opposite internal acts of accepting this sadness, this evil.
5. External acts also matter! Kindnesses, etc.
6. Do not neglect little actions in this fight nor small sins.
7. Try to deny yourself at times even in good things to build up strength.
8. Self-training, self-denial, is NECESSARY for holiness!

What is an example of an interior act of will?

• “I accept this thing/person, Lord, as from you.”
• “I want what you want, Lord.”

So is the spiritual battle all up to me?

No! We need huge doses of divine HELP, that is, the GRACE of GOD. Our acts of will, our resistance to temptations, are RESPONSES to God’s grace. He initiates. We COOPERATE with his help.

In this episode, we will read about what to do when the will (our power to choose good or evil) feels overpowered by the lower feelings. How should we think about these terrible situations when resistance seems hopeless?