Fighting back with God’s Word
Fr. Eirik describes 8 different areas of temptation and how to respond.
Click here for a PDF of the prayers.
Ordering our desires
GLUTTONY
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that flows from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4).
My food is to do the will of him who sent me… (John 4:34)
LUST
Let not the desire for beauty conquer you; do not be ensnared by your eyes nor captured by her eyelids. (Prv 6)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matt 5:8)
Ordering grit & aggression (holy ire)
AVARICE
Love of Money
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well.’ (Matt 5:40)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… store up treasures for yourself in heaven (Mt 6:19,21)
For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.’ (2 Cor 4:18)
SADNESS
Including Distress or Anxiety
Why are you cast down, O my soul… in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Ps 42:11)
In the world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world!” (John 14:6)
You are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful! (Luke 10:41-42)
The sufferings of the present are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. (Rom 8:18)
ANGER
Bitterness, Rancor, Revenge
In the ways of righteousness is life, but the ways of those who carry resentments lead to death (Prov 12:28)
Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven (Mt 5)
Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse… repay with a blessing… that you might inherit a blessing (1 Pet 3)
LISTLESSNESS
Acedia: despairing the value of calling in Christ; resigning trust/effort/means of fulfillment.
You shall persevere and take the fruits of the land (Num 13:21)
Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will but as you will. (Mt 26:39)
Get up and pray so that you fall not into temptation (Lk 22:46)
But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved and will receive the crown of life (Mt 24:13; Js 1:12)
It is good for me to cleave to God and to place my hope in the Lord (Ps 72:3)
Who we look to for wisdom/blessing
VAINGLORY
Man-pleasing, Popularity, Fame
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is in secret, will reward you. (Matt 6:6)
Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2 Cor 10:17-18)
We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29b)
PRIDE
I am the vine, you are the branches. Remain in me and I in you, and you will bear much fruit. For, apart from Me you can do nothing. (Jn 15:5)
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain (Ps 126:1)
The Lord opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Prov 3:34)
Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? (Matt 7:3)
Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all (Mark 9:35)