DEALING WITH OUR WEAKNESSES

Who can claim that he has overcome all weaknesses? How are we to react to temptations? Somebody once said he can resist everything except temptation. I have watched a film actor saying something like... the best way to overcome temptation is to fall for it!

Definitely we do not want to be in such deplorable conditions. Some may also think themselves already good because their circumstances have not permitted them to exhibit their inner weaknesses. They look down on those who make mistakes but who may have acted inadvertently without evil intentions.

In all seriousness, what we need to deal with are our propensities. Those deep-rooted characteristics of ours that have more or less formed how we behave. These can be greed, and its cousin covetousness. It can be sordid sensuality the lust to steal and all such things. Until these propensities leave us, we are not free from them - even if we have not been able to act out such deep immoral desires.

A step ahead can be found in developing a moral shyness to all of these weaknesses. As for temptations, we must not give approval to which temptations can cling. We will have to keep the basis of our thoughts pure. We need to watch all the thoughts assailing us, give room only for the noble, beautiful and true, then pray for help from our Maker.

May we attain to victory in this struggle. Amen!