Episode 9 -- Spiritual Combat c5 -- Our cowardice after sin is not a virtue

Why is my cowardice and anxiety after sinning not a virtue?

In our last episode, we talked about a method for determining whether we trust ourselves or trust in God. The method is to examine our reactions after we sin.

• Are we surprised that we sinned?

• Do we feel despair?

• Do I rush off to confession just to get rid of the bad feeling and the wounded self-love?

Or

• Do I attribute the fall to my weakness and lack of trust in God?

• Do I detest the sin above all things as an offence against God?

• Do I go to confession to be washed from the sin?

• Do I go to Holy Communion to guard myself from a relapse?

In this episode, Fr Scupoli teaches us another little way that we deceive ourselves. We consider our cowardice, our lack of courage, after a fall as something good.