1. Lecture VIII: Temptation and its Sources
Spiritual Theology (THE 390)

2. Temptations I. The Devil God tests, but does not tempt
The proper role of the devil is to tempt

3. Soul’s behavior
Vigilance
Prayer of petition

4. Resistance
direct
indirect
manifestation of conscience
thanks/repentance

5. II. The world
distinction in sense of the word “world”
“It was good” (Gen); “God so loved the world” (Jn 3).
“I pray not for the world” (John)

6. Manifestations of the worldly spirit
false maxims in direct opposition to the precepts of the Church
pleasure, comfort, riches, fame, etc.

7. making a mockery of those who strive to live a life of virtue
no control over lower appetites in diversion and entertainment
scandal and bad example

8. Some helps against the spirit of the world
avoid occasions of sin
strengthen one’s faith
meditate on vanity of the world
ignore the logic and opinion of the world

9. III. The flesh
desire for pleasure
bodily pleasure is not evil in itself; but the craving for it often goes beyond reason as a result of original sin.

10. the all-encompassing sense of touch
the mutual effect of the senses
the two principal tendencies surrounding nutrition and generation

11. Harm caused by un-mortified appetites:
loss of eternal salvation
lack of taste for things spiritual
inability to reach perfection

12. Principal remedies
custody of the senses
self-denial
beneficial occupation
sense of Christian dignity

13. consideration of punishment
recalling the Passion of Christ
Persevering prayer
devotion to Mary
frequent and fervent reception of Sacraments

14. Horror of suffering
impediment to sanctification
necessity of sharing in the suffering of Christ: “If any man wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

15. Thus, suffering is a conditio sine qua non of the spiritual life
Horror of suffering is reason for so few saints – devotion to Sainte Facile!

16. Benefits of suffering
lack of dependence on self
when suffering passes, the merit of having suffered well never passes

17. detaches us from created things
puts us with a “right” to mercy
puts us in solidarity with others in the mystical body
suffering conforms us to Christ

18. Progression in a thirst for suffering:
acceptance of duties
resignation to crosses

19. voluntary mortifications
preference of suffering to pleasure
offering oneself as a victim