Sin itself is when we inwardly
say “yes” to the temptation, when we would do the deed, even though we do not
actually do it.
Unfortunately, the fact that feelings and thoughts are largely a matter of choice is not widely understood—especially as it concerns feelings. We speak of feelings as “passions,” and that is a word that implies passivity. But we are in fact very active in inviting, allowing, and handling our “passions,” as we shall see in a later chapter.
A great part of the disaster of
contemporary life lies in the fact that it is organized around feelings. People
nearly always act on their feelings, and think it only right. The will is then
left at the mercy of circumstances that evoke feelings. Christian spiritual
formation today must squarely confront this fact and overcome it.
pp. 33-35 LIFE-CHANGING SOURCE
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