“But if we exert ourselves, it is within our power to either accept them (wicked thoughts) and give them our attention, or to expel them. Their coming is not within our power to control, but their expulsion is.” On the Holy Fathers of Sketis and On Discrimination, Philokalia Vol. I
As I wrote in a previous article, true Christian living takes effort. Looking at Moses, he refused to go back to his previous lifestyle and chose that of the monastics. Even in the movie, “Moses the Black,” it was said that the main character was moving differently. Change does not come without effort. Desire to change is good, such as wanting to maintain one’s health. But that desire must be met with healthy eating, exercise, and following a doctor’s advice. Otherwise, the desire is wasted.
It may be a bit scary to think a bout it. But perhaps too much of Christianity today (even among us Orthodox) is full of wasted desires to change. We like the name, “Jesus.” There are a lot of neat symbols from crosses to Jesus fish and cool T-shirt graphics. And music; Christian death metal, gospel house music, contemporary, r&b, whatever genre you want, it’s out there. The real problem is that all of our “Jesus stuff” is used to cover our evils. True change has more to do with expelling wicked thoughts and disallowing soul corrupting thoughts from residing in us.
Developing a prayer rule and keeping it is essential in this effort. follow the cycle of fasting, scripture reading, and the lives of the saints as given to us through the Church. Have a spiritually mature guide to advise you on the journey. Yes, get a prayer rope and an icon or two. If Christian rap or rock can keep you from listening to the worse things out there, fine. Just understand that the objects, symbols, and trinkets of the faith are meaningless unless we put in the work.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) We must make the effort to expel wickedness from ourselves. No amount of Christian T-shirt wearing, convocation attending, political allegiance, or anything else can excuse our lack of inward cleansing.* Don’t waste your faith. Do the work that is God’s will.
*Matthew 7:22-23 Studying the entire Sermon on the Mount, Matther 5, 6, & 7 is highly recommended.
Desert Fathers Dispatch 