Advice To Overcome Pornography & Self-Abuse

Summary

The transcript discusses the struggle with lust and the impact of pornography in society, particularly on young men. It emphasizes the spiritual and psychological consequences of such behaviors, referencing Orthodox Christian teachings and the importance of purity and obedience to God's commandments. The speaker suggests that the root of these issues is often pride and a lack of fear of God, and recommends seeking spiritual guidance, prayer, fasting, and adhering to the church's teachings as a path to overcoming these passions and restoring one's spiritual life.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The script discusses the struggle with lust and the impact of pornography, emphasizing the importance of seeking spiritual guidance and understanding the root causes of such passions.
• 📚 It highlights the Orthodox Christian perspective on self-abuse, considering it a grave sin that deprives the soul of purity and leads to spiritual enslavement.
• 🛡️ The speaker suggests that the root of such passions often lies in pride and arrogance, and overcoming them requires a deep understanding of one's spiritual stance and outlook on life.
• 💔 The script mentions the lack of spiritual upbringing and catechesis as a contributing factor to the prevalence of these issues, noting the importance of proper initiation into the spiritual life.
• 🧐 It points out that the world often promotes self-abuse from a young age, creating a societal norm that is in opposition to virtue and spiritual health.
• 🙅‍♂️ The speaker advises against the immediate return to communion after confession for those struggling with lustful sins, suggesting a period of penance and spiritual healing is necessary.
• 🕊️ The importance of obedience to spiritual rules and canons is underscored as a means of restoring the image of God in the individual and overcoming passions.
• 🕉️ Prayer and fasting are presented as key components of the healing process, with fasting being a cornerstone of expressing obedience and self-denial.
• 👨‍🏫 The role of a spiritual father is emphasized in guiding individuals through their struggles, applying the wisdom of the church fathers and canons to their specific circumstances.
• 🚫 The script warns against the dangers of self-imposed penance or communion, stressing the need for guidance from a spiritual father and the importance of genuine remorse and change.
• 🌐 It criticizes the institutionalization of sin in modern society, particularly through education systems, and calls for a return to the teachings and practices that promote virtue and spiritual health.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the transcript?

The main issue discussed is the struggle with lust, particularly the impact of pornography and masturbation, and how these behaviors can affect an individual's spiritual life.

What does the speaker suggest is the root cause of these passions?

The speaker suggests that the root cause of these passions is often arrogance and pride, which can lead to a lack of fear of God and a disconnection from spiritual life.

What is the significance of the term 'Akida' in the context of the script?

Akida refers to a kind of spiritual debilitation or a loss of zeal for the spiritual life, which can lead to a person becoming indifferent to their spiritual well-being.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of the fear of God?

The speaker emphasizes the fear of God as a crucial starting point for spiritual healing because it instills the fear of losing one's eternal soul and being separated from God, which can motivate individuals to seek change.

What is the role of obedience in overcoming these passions according to the speaker?

Obedience is presented as a foundational aspect of overcoming passions. It is through obedience to God's commandments and the guidance of the church that individuals can regain control over their lives and restore their spiritual health.

What does the speaker mean when referring to 'the rule' in the context of spiritual healing?

The 'rule' refers to the spiritual guidelines and practices, such as fasting and prayer, prescribed by the church to help individuals overcome their passions and restore their spiritual life.

Why does the speaker mention the importance of fasting for children?

The speaker mentions the importance of fasting for children because it instills the discipline and spiritual practice from a young age, which is crucial for their spiritual development and resistance to worldly temptations.

What is the speaker's view on the use of pornography among Orthodox Christians?

The speaker strongly condemns the use of pornography, stating that it is a form of fornication and adultery in the heart, which is against the teachings of the church and detrimental to one's spiritual life.

What does the speaker suggest as the initial step for someone struggling with lustful passions?

The speaker suggests that the initial step is to develop the fear of God and a desire to be saved, followed by seeking guidance from the church's teachings and applying spiritual practices such as prayer and fasting.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between pride and fleshly sins?

The speaker describes pride as the root of all fleshly sins, suggesting that it leads to disobedience and a disconnection from spiritual life, which in turn results in individuals seeking fulfillment through sinful behaviors.

What is the significance of the term 'satisfaction of the penalties' in the context of the script?

The term 'satisfaction of the penalties' refers to fulfilling the penance or spiritual exercises prescribed as part of the healing process from sinful behaviors, emphasizing the importance of obedience and commitment to spiritual restoration.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Struggling with Lust and the Role of Spiritual Guidance

The speaker addresses the issue of young men struggling with lust, often exacerbated by easy access to pornography. They discuss the importance of understanding the root causes of such passions, which can include a lack of spiritual connection and the influence of societal norms. The speaker emphasizes the need for spiritual guidance and a deeper look into an individual's life, relationships, and background. They also mention the Orthodox Christian perspective on self-abuse, referencing religious texts and the negative spiritual consequences of such actions.

05:00

🌱 The Impact of Worldly Training and the Need for Spiritual Fear

This paragraph delves into how individuals, particularly converts to the faith, have been conditioned by worldly desires and instant gratification. The speaker uses the analogy of carving a canal to describe how habits form pathways in the soul, making it easier for passions to take hold. They discuss the concept of escapism through sin as a means of avoiding reality and the lack of belief in one's ability to achieve spiritual freedom. The importance of instilling fear of God and understanding the destructive nature of sin is highlighted, along with the need for proper catechesis and spiritual initiation.

10:01

🚫 The Dangers of Immediate Communion and the Importance of Penance

The speaker warns against the practice of immediate communion following confession, especially for those struggling with persistent sins. They argue that true healing requires a therapeutic program involving fasting, prayer, and spiritual guidance. The speaker also touches on the concept of obedience as a foundational aspect of spiritual life, drawing parallels to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. The importance of fulfilling the rule or penance given by a spiritual father is emphasized, as it is seen as a form of obedience that leads to communion and spiritual restoration.

15:03

📚 The Role of Patristic Wisdom and the Necessity of Fear of God

The paragraph discusses the importance of heeding the wisdom of the church fathers, particularly in the context of overcoming sin. The speaker recommends reading the commentary of St. Nicodemus to instill the fear of God, which is considered the beginning of wisdom. They also address the issue of pride and arrogance as root causes of fleshly sins and the need to combat societal influences that promote vice. The speaker calls for a return to traditional spiritual practices, such as fasting and prayer, as a means of healing and spiritual growth.

20:04

🛐 The Healing Power of Prayer, Fasting, and Self-Denial

In this paragraph, the speaker focuses on the healing methods of the church, particularly prayer and fasting, as essential tools for overcoming sinful passions. They stress the importance of self-denial as a means to achieve spiritual freedom and to fill the void left by the absence of God's spirit. The speaker also discusses the role of fasting as an expression of obedience to God and a cornerstone of Christian life, advocating for its practice from a young age to establish a strong spiritual foundation.

25:06

🏠 Spiritual Enslavement and the Path to Mastery Over One's Household

The final paragraph addresses the consequences of being enslaved to sinful passions and the importance of taking control of one's spiritual household. The speaker argues that true virtue and love cannot be expressed through sinful acts and that mastery over these passions is necessary to be the spiritual head of one's home. They reiterate the importance of prayer, fasting, and self-denial as the antidotes to the emptiness that leads to seeking pleasure from material sources.

Keywords

💡Lust

Lust refers to a strong sexual desire or appetite, often considered sinful or morally wrong when pursued excessively or outside of a committed relationship. In the video's theme, lust is a central issue, particularly in the context of self-abuse and pornography, which the speaker discusses as passions that can enslave individuals and lead them away from spiritual purity.

💡Self-abuse

Self-abuse, in the context of the video, is a term used to refer to acts of sexual gratification performed alone, such as masturbation. The speaker describes it as a grave harm to the soul, equating it with the sin of Onan from the Old Testament, and discusses its spiritual consequences and the Orthodox Christian perspective on it.

💡Purity

Purity, in the video, is associated with a state of being free from sin, particularly sexual sin, and maintaining a close relationship with God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of purity for spiritual communion and how lustful behaviors can detract from this state, leading to a loss of spiritual connection.

💡Pornography

Pornography is discussed in the video as a pervasive societal issue that contributes to lustful thoughts and actions. The speaker highlights the addictive nature of pornography and its negative impact on individuals, including within the Orthodox Christian community, and equates viewing pornography to committing fornication or adultery in one's heart.

💡Spiritual Father

A spiritual father is a term used in Orthodox Christianity to refer to a priest or elder who provides guidance and counsel on spiritual matters. In the script, the speaker as a spiritual father offers advice on how to deal with lustful passions and the importance of seeking counsel from a spiritual father for overcoming such struggles.

💡Akida

Akida, mentioned in the video, refers to a spiritual condition characterized by a lack of zeal or interest in spiritual life, which can lead to a state of spiritual depression or indifference. The speaker connects Akida with the enslavement to lustful passions, suggesting that a lack of spiritual focus can result in falling into sinful behaviors.

💡Obedience

Obedience is a key concept in the video, presented as a fundamental aspect of returning to God and overcoming sinful passions. The speaker discusses the importance of obeying the canons and rules of the church as a means of expressing one's desire for spiritual healing and restoration.

💡Penance

Penance, in the context of the video, refers to the acts of self-discipline and sacrifice that are performed as a form of repentance for sins committed. The speaker mentions the canons of St. John the Faster, which prescribe specific penances for self-abuse, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling these penances as part of the healing process.

💡Fear of God

The fear of God, as discussed in the video, is the reverence and respect for God's power and authority, which motivates individuals to live righteously and avoid sin. The speaker stresses that having a genuine fear of God is essential for spiritual growth and for overcoming the enslavement to lustful passions.

💡Fasting

Fasting is presented in the video as a spiritual discipline and a cornerstone of Orthodox Christian practice. The speaker explains that fasting, along with prayer, is a means of expressing obedience to God and a way to combat lustful passions, emphasizing its importance for spiritual freedom and healing.

💡Despair

Despair is mentioned in the video as a potential reaction to the struggle with lustful passions, but the speaker advises against falling into despair. Instead, individuals should seek God's help to overcome their sins and find spiritual healing, highlighting the church's role in providing a path to salvation regardless of one's past.

Highlights

The impact of young men struggling with lust and the various forms it can take, including pornography and masturbation.

The importance of understanding the root causes of lustful behavior, such as pride and arrogance, and their connection to spiritual enslavement.

The spiritual dangers of self-abuse, as understood in Orthodox aesthetic literature, and its scriptural references.

The role of technology and the internet in making pornography more accessible and its detrimental effects on individuals from a young age.

The necessity of a spiritual father's guidance in addressing and treating the issue of lustful passions.

The concept of Akida, a spiritual debilitation leading to indifference towards spiritual life, and its relation to lustful behavior.

The significance of the fear of God in overcoming lustful passions and the role of obedience in spiritual healing.

The importance of fulfilling the rule or penance assigned by a spiritual father as a form of obedience and healing.

The potential for self-imposed penance and the risks associated with it, emphasizing the need for spiritual guidance.

The discussion on the appropriateness of communion for individuals struggling with sin and the role of spiritual readiness.

The role of prayer and fasting as foundational practices in the Orthodox Christian approach to overcoming lustful passions.

The importance of teaching children the value of fasting and its impact on their spiritual development.

The connection between gluttony and lust, and how they both represent a form of slavery to worldly pleasures.

The necessity of self-denial as a means to achieve spiritual freedom and mastery over one's own life.

The role of the Holy Spirit in filling the spiritual void that leads to seeking worldly pleasures.

The opposition to virtue institutionalized in modern society and the importance of fighting against it with the fear of God.

The commentary of St. Nicodemus on the Canon of St. John the Faster, emphasizing the seriousness of lustful sins and the need for spiritual healing.

Transcripts

is that sometimes I will see uh online

uh young men will be posting on social

media and they'll say something to the

effect of pray for me I'm struggling

with lust or I fell to the passion of

lust and we don't know what exactly

happened did he look at a woman with

lust in his heart or did he have a

lustful thought or maybe did he uh use

pornography and masturbate which

unfortunately I hate to say the words

but um that's a common thing in our

society today I had I just had a guest

on uh last week who said that he started

looking at hardcore pornography at eight

years old that was available because of

the internet I know what what does that

do what does that do to a person you

know um fortunately I I think I was

spared a lot of this because was just we

didn't have the technology to access

pornography easily when I was growing up

so I mean that was one thing that I was

spared thank God but um so the question

I want to ask you um let's say this

person comes to you and

he's enslaved to this passion he's

falling regularly he falls so often that

you could set a clock to it and then he

comes to you and he asks you for advice

and he says father

help help me what what would you give

this person this young man as advice

who's struggling with this

passion well there there's probably

going to be more to it than just he says

a few things then I give him advice we

would probably go into his life and

what's happening in his life and with

his relationships um you know his his

background and things because

the the root cause of a lot of these uh

passions that let's just take this gross

passion uh that is common today which

unfortunately is not just common with

men but it's common with women as well

increasingly and that is the the

self-abuse it's called in in Orthodox

aesthetic literature because it's

understood as a grave harm to the soul

uh the uh in the Old Testament it's in

Genesis 38:10 its

onanism and that was the first time it

seems to have appeared at least in the

scriptures and it's and it's very

very tragic and the condemnation of God

is Swift and the death of the person who

does it Onan is what is the fruit of

that um so the Lord hates this sin that

you mentioned um

self-abuse and he hates it because it

deprives the soul of the Purity we

talked about which is natural to the

soul and that's the the aim of the devil

first and foremost is to deprive man of

that Purity because he knows that with

from that base of that Purity from that

state of

Purity um he can have communion with God

there's no the obstacles have not been

severely erected and we're not just

talking we not when we mean impurity and

Purity we're not just talking about

fleshly sins you know the sins of the

flesh but because pride is far is is the

is the before there was anything with

the flesh there was Pride right Pride

brings about

often times the fall into the fleshly

sins we oftentimes look for causes of

this of this enslavement to the

self-abuse or fornication or pornography

we look often

times to the belly which is not which is

connected like we you know why are we

why are we a slave to this passion well

it's were analogous or along with this

passion often times is a slave to

something else in terms of the belly or

the drinking or something like this but

ultimately the cause is not there either

the cause is in arrogance and pride so

so if you you to treat to treat this

this sickness this

enslavement uh you have to go deeper and

get to the co root causes and many times

they're going to be in the general

stance and Outlook of the human being

that they've probably oftentimes fallen

into

um uh Akida Aida is is is a kind of

debilitation of the spiritual of the of

the Zeal for the spiritual life right

they've just fallen into a almost a

depression or despair or indifference to

spiritual life um and they're also

oftentimes not focused on or have any

real desire for or or belief that they

can live a spiritual

life uh and so they fall into that I

mean they've they've been trained if

they've coming from outside the church

many of us are converts we've been

trained in the ways of the world which

is to

satisfy uh abruptly quickly uh the

urges and so they probably have become

accustomed to these things and now that

now the they've formed a habit and one

could think of it

as uh uh let's say um

um if you think

of I can't remember the phrase right now

but let's say you have a a source of

water and you want the water to go in a

certain direction what do you do you you

kind of carve a small canal in in the

earth to make the water go to where you

want it to go you you know you're

irrigating or something what what

they've done is they've they've carved a

canal in their soul and so very easily

this passion gets in and F and goes to

its goes to its you know to its end its

completion its fulfillment and and it's

so that habit has been ingrained in them

and and what it is though is it's a um

oftentimes an escape from reality it's a

it's an addiction of drug uh not unlike

other drugs and they're escaping from

reality because they don't believe

ultimately they don't trust and believe

that they can become a saint that they

can be freed that they can become master

of their own

person uh through the grace of God and

and so they need there's a variety of

things that are going on usually right

um they don't have the fear of God also

uh they don't they don't really truly

understand how destructive the sin is

how this

sin um enslaves them to the devil to the

demons how they will not inherit the

kingdom of God if they do not uh get

free from it they don't have the fear of

losing Eternal salvation because of it

it's done in secret it's done in the you

know in their bedroom in their shower

whever so they're almost always alone so

they they don't have the fear of God

another reason why you can tell they

don't have the fear of God is because

they're only concerned about what people

think about them mostly not about what

God is going to do or say or their

communion with God they might they may

have never tasted the spirit the the

true fruits of the of the spiritual life

to remember them like Adam remembered

paradise and wept so they don't have the

Weeping that comes when if you taste it

and then you fall away and you fall into

the these gross fleshly you know sins

you have that memory so many of them

don't have that memory many of them are

coming to the church they've not been

properly catechized not been properly

initiated and so they're they haven't

been properly

purified and so they don't they haven't

tasted the grace of God to such a degree

that that that memory alone could shake

them out and and and bring them back to

to their senses so that there's a lot

going on uh it's a it's a it's the end

of it's the end of many passions uh

Pride uh Aida

slothfulness um no fear of God uh so I I

oftentimes uh try to first and foremost

the beginning of all wisdom is the fear

of God so the first thing that happens

they need to fear losing their Eternal

Soul and fear being separated from God

as a as a Kickstart to the spiritual

life again so I I actually tell them to

go read the the the footnote in the next

Garian that St Nicodemus was written

under the under this particular Canon of

St John the faster which is on page 180

of our of our edition of dexo Garian in

G in in English so if you go to that

page there's cannons on the particular

sins that are committed just so people

know because a lot of people don't know

for this particular

sin anyone having practiced masturbation

is penced 40 days during which he must

eat dry foods and make 100 prostrations

daily that's what the Canon prescribes

now a spiritual father depending on the

person's where they're at how you know

there's going to be maybe an application

of that Canon could be more or less from

what the Canon says often times less for

us sometimes not at all that's one of

the biggest problems is we have

spiritual fathers who don't apply the

Cannons they don't they don't even look

to the Cannons as guides and they don't

they don't understand that okay you

don't have to follow the letter of the

Canon but the spirit of the Canon needs

to be needs to be applied because it's

it's it's the it's the medical textbook

by which we follow the curing of the

passions and so we can't just simply

ignore St nicodemos the kadis mean the U

like guari and the Cannons of seen on

the faster which have come down to us

that's that's not possible otherwise

we're going to end up being Mal

practicers as as priests we're going to

send people back sick and then if they

go in commune which many times

unfortunately priests have been trained

to let them commune or send them

communion almost immediately well that's

just going to double down on the you

know in terms of not getting free of

this passion it's not gonna they're not

GNA be free of the passion simply by

going back by by having Remorse by

confessing and then going to communion

again that's not going to be sufficient

for the 99.9% of the people who have

this passion that's not going to work so

can I can I interrupt

so this brings up a question uh for me

sometimes people wonder I've even had

for example someone asked me should

several actually this has happened

several times sh I I fell into sin

should I not go to communion what if the

priest doesn't give you an

epidemia would do you apply one to

yourself do you skip or

or well that's also fra with dangers

applying one to yourself but can you but

so exactly applying an epidemia probably

not probably not but even just absenting

yourself from communion was that just or

even just or even just skipping

communion you know until I don't see how

anybody can you know I don't think I

don't think a spiritual father can force

one to commune they can say you have a

blessing to commune but if you're not

prepared I I don't see any any good

spiritual father would not say you must

commune that would be we don't do I mean

I've never heard that spiritual father

telling people they have to commune

right so if the person if the if the

person who is is um not healed and he

knows he's not healed and he's

struggling and he's falling again almost

immediately into the passion of he

should not commune interesting

interesting until he gets at least some

therapeutic program some therapeutic uh

you know schedule in his life which

means fasting and prayers and and a

close uh a close observation by a

spiritual father if possible

um you know know if if if that were the

if that if it were that easy so to speak

to overcome the passions we would all be

Saints yesterday you know go to

confession and go to communion again and

you're going to have the grace of God

again like it's that's not in the

tradition no why do we have cannons why

do we have a Penance of 40 days why

would St John the fter give that if if

really it's not necessary you can just

go back to communion in a week There's

Something missing here in our in our

contemporary application of the Patric

wisdom if there is an application of the

patristic wisdom going on uh but it's

it's essential that that they that they

um not fulfill some kind of penance or

some What's the phrase that's used in

some of the Latin terminology that

people really rebel against and

understandably so because it's

legalistic that's not what's going on in

the fathers obviously it's it's rather

um oh I know the term is satisfaction of

the pendants maybe or satisfaction of

the rule I forget so so that's a

unfortunate or just a legalistic way of

saying fulfilling the rule now why is

fulfilling the rule really important

that you that your spiritual father gave

you well if you go back to the you go

back to the Garden go back to Adam and

Eve and what the Lord had given them

what did he give he gave them he gave

them a rule he gave them an obedience he

said don't eat of this tree was the tree

the problem no of course not what was

the issue it's question of obedience how

do we lose Paradise we broke the fast we

broke we didn't keep the rule we we

disobeyed that's at the heart of uh of

returning to God if we want to return to

God we obey and and there's so many

things in the church that legalistic

worldly minds want to dissect and say

well what's the big deal about this why

do we have to do this why do we have to

for instance the big issue why do we

have to Triple immerse when we're when

we're we're baptized why can't it just

be pouring like the Latin are why can't

it just be sprinkling like some other

heter group well because the Lord said

This is how we do it and this we've been

doing for 20 years what the canons say

what the fathers say and it's a question

of obedience so how do we enter Paradise

again we're obedient and why is

obedience so important well because

obedience is a is our yes like the

mother of God to the Archangel it's our

yes like all the Aesthetics we want

communion with you Lord and we want it

and we're going to we're going to do

this therapeutic program because that's

who we want to be we want to be in

communion with you so obedience leads to

communion and communion is restoration

of the image and likeness it's it's the

it's obedience and communion is what

leads us to a restoration of the

according to nature which are the

virtues so the rule is fulfilling the

rule is extremely important for no other

reason than at least the question of

obedience right and so the rule it

doesn't have to be 100 frustrations it

could be 50 could be could be 150 if

you're a robust young man you should do

150 I mean that's not what's important

important but it's important is whatever

the spiritual father gives you do and

you do it in all humility and you do it

crying out to God asking him for

assistance to overcome this passion to

overcome this

slavery um but that won't happen if you

don't have the fear of God so that's why

one of the first things I say to them is

read the read the commentary of St

Nicodemus why because it strikes you

strikes the fear of God in you if you

have any piety at all and it's meant to

do that if you read if you read it and

we we could read it but I I think it's

probably best not to because you know

people need to do it according to the

spiritual father's guidance but he

quotes scripture fathers and he drives

home the point here that is totally not

said in the world the world the world is

teaching people to to self abuse right

from a young age they they're

encouraging it the the UN the un uh

Charter which is trying to be imposed in

Greece in the education system says from

age three or something something let's

help let them explore and and do do this

sin I mean it's it's unbelievable the

opposition to Virtue that is now

institutionalized in America and in the

world so so you've got to fight against

that and you've got to have the fear of

God because you've been you've been

watered with pride arrogance and

Rebellion from your earliest days and

you will get nowhere if that's your

stance and that's ultimately the cause

of all the all the fleshly sin

is this pride and arrogance um you

mentioned you said ni uh the rule of

nicodemos or what was that is that what

you were saying the rule that's laid

down here in the in the Canon of St John

the faster Canon 8 but I think you also

mentioned another another text he said I

think it was I think you said nicodemos

was that right say ncos here has the

commentary on the C oh okay the

commentary all right yeah the commentary

on on this canid by St nios and he's

Gathering all the patristic evidence uh

why why this is such a serious sin I'll

read just one or two little excerpts

which I think will be helpful to people

okay okay

um

so he talks about the Old Testament he

talks about St Paul in Romans 1:24

referring to the pagans and he's

referring to this sin when he says the

following wherefore God also gave them

up to uncleanness through the lust of

their own Hearts to dishonor their own

bodies between themselves and it's

interpreted as as this sin committed uh

between themselves and then there's also

St John the latter in his step 15 who

says this sin is fornication performed

without another body so this could lead

us also to talk about the other part of

this scenario that you presented which

is uhh pornography which is ravaging the

world and including Orthodox Christians

including married Orthodox

Christians who have unfortunately the

delusion they fallen into the gross

delusion that pornography is not

fornication pornography is fornication

brother you are fornicating you are

you're committing adultery through

pornography and how do we know that well

what does the Lord say in the gospel he

doesn't say if you do the deed you are a

adulterer but if you lust after in your

heart the woman or the man could be

applied to women you've committed

adultery in your heart he says so he's

taking us to another level obviously the

now the spiritual life is being

introduced we're no longer just talking

about morality and and the law now we're

talking about the spirit and the spirit

has a much higher standard because

that's the Inner Man and that's where

the kingdom of God has to dwell and so

if you uh are committing this sin of of

looking at pornography and lusting after

a woman in your heart you're you're

unfortunately coming under the words of

Our Lord that you've committed adultery

in your heart now you're doing that and

you're doing so self- abuse now you're

doubly uh falling into into this this

gross sin now what should be the

reaction to my words if you're in if

you're a slave to these passions not to

fall into despair not to fall into

judgmentalness not to reject the words

but if you desire salvation it is to cry

out to God and to ask him to help you to

overcome these and be freed of these and

that's the whole point of the church why

do we go to church why are you in church

on Sunday to become healed to become

free not to be enslaved as the fathers

say right but to be free and to be

restored and so no matter what the sin

is no matter what the sin is no matter

how many times you've committed it no

matter how enslaved you feel you are the

church's life the grace of God the

guidance of the fathers can and does

free you when you apply the medicine and

so first and foremost fear of God I want

to be saved I don't want to be lost I

want to obey God if if you don't have

that disposition there's nothing I can

do or any other spiritual father can do

that's the first and foremost the root

of

good what's that the root of good yes

yes so start there and then start to

apply the medicine the medicine will be

the opposite like when you have a

sickness you apply you know the that

which will heal and that which will

replace the illness right so if you are

lusting after

uh the flesh if you're if you're

um let's say you're a gross Glutton

which is not far away from the sin of

fornication because it's the same uh you

know lust after food lust after flesh

it's it's it's a Des it's a slavery to

something outside of ourselves and and

Desiring to fill up this emptiness that

we have because we're not fulfilling the

law of God not not filled with the Holy

Spirit we're trying to fill up this

emptiness that we have with whatever we

can from the material world right and so

uh we have to recognize that hate that

as a fake uh replacement of the real

life in Christ hate those things and the

sins not the things and uh and and then

Begin by applying the healing methods of

the church which is going to be first

and foremost at the core of every

healing is prayer and fasting prayer and

fasting is going to be the key uh and

fasting is essential a Cornerstone some

Orthodox Christians unfortunately don't

fast very much or they're raising their

children and they're not fasting I I was

I'm shocked to see um among very sincere

Orthodox Christians that their children

age 9 10 11 12 are not fasting this is a

disaster for that child now he doesn't

have to fast strictly but he's got to do

something because if he doesn't learn as

a young boy or

girl the way of life of fasting then

when he goes older he's not going to

going to do it it's going to be much

harder to do it right whatever you

ingrain in a child from five on even

before five St porfidio said all the

raising of the children happens before

age five think about that I think

psychology would agree with that that

the the uh the the personality is set by

that time yeah so they're they're

they're observing constantly and soaking

in everything you're doing you are the

Prototype of what they what they think

life is about so when you don't fast or

you don't have them fast in any way

you're not you're not exemplifying the

fast you're teaching them not the fast

and so fasting the Lord says when you

fast you say if you fast and St Sarah

from Sarah says there is no Christian

who does not fast if you don't fast

you're not a Christian according to St

Sarah from Sarah and why why is that

because you we lost Paradise again

through Disobedience and breaking the

fast returning to Paradise is going to

be a question of obedience fasting first

and foremost what is it it's a question

of obedience it's not a question of

athetic struggle it is also that but

it's first and foremost a question of

obedience and that's how we enter

Paradise again right the Lord showed us

obedient unto

death he didn't he wasn't obedient and

then he had you know it easy unto death

he was obedient there was no limit to

his obedience to the will of the father

so he is showing us that's the path to

paradise and and fasting and prayer but

fasting we're talking about right now is

is a Cornerstone to express in and

living out that life of obedience and

that self-denial is to if we be if it

becomes a habit and a way of life that

self-denial and U the opposite of that

love pleasure seeking that self-love

right the opposite of that is

self-denial what that does is it it

frees us it makes us free from the uh

slavery of the pleasures uh that we're

constantly trying to amass in order to

fill up the the whole which is the

absence of the spirit of God so it's a

Cornerstone to True spiritual Freedom

it's a Cornerstone to

Restoration and for you to be the the

the Lord of your house of your manner

right because when you are enslaved to

self- abuse or pornography or

fornication or whatever or sodomy or

other sexual acts we can talk we'll get

to this eventually I'm sure even within

marriage if you're enslaved to these

things you think these things are

expressions of uh virtue and love uh

then you cannot uh you cannot uh you're

not you're not in charge of your own

household so to speak spiritually

speaking I mean you're you're you're

still a stranger that has strangers

living in your house and they're ruling

your house your spiritual house so

there's so much uh there's so much

um in other words these these fleshly

sins are ultimately really

the root of them is pride and

Disobedience

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ultimately