TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS, Matthew 4.1-11

Meeting 1 - 26 Feb

 

Isaac of Syria 7th century

 

Regarding Temptations

 

Pray lest you enter into temptations of the soul. But for those of the body, make ready with all your strength and swim in them with every limb and muscle. Indeed apart from them it is not possible for you to draw near to God, for within them lies divine rest.

 

Whoever flees from temptation – not from temptation of desires but from tribulations – flees from virtue….

 

What virtue is accomplished without temptations? Or what temptation is more serious than the loss which He commands us to undergo for his sake? “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me (Mt. 10.38)),” and “Lead us not into temptation”; but throughout his teaching is scattered the entrance into temptations. For he has said: “Without temptations the kingdom of heaven will not be found (Luke 22.28; Acts 14.22). 

 

About which Temptations Must We Pray Not To Enter?

 

Pray that you do not enter temptation about your faith.

Pray that through your mind’s self-confidence you do not enter into 

    temptation with the demon of blasphemy and pride.

Pray that you do not enter into the manifest temptations of the senses which Satan knows how to bring upon you, when God permits him, on 

    account of the foolish opinions you have devised.

Pray that the [Angel] witness of chastity not withdraw from you and you be 

    tempted into the flams of sin and be separated from him. 

Pray that you do not enter into the temptation of being contemptuous of 

    anything. 

 

Pray therefore, that you do not enter into the temptations of the soul; 

namely, those which place the soul in struggle, in doubt and in 

provocations. But for those of the body, be ready with your whole body and with all your members, and swim with your eyes full of tears so that you may be found to b with your guardian [angel] amidst them. For without temptations God’s providence is not perceived, and familiarity with Him is not acquired, and wisdom of spirit is not learned and the love of God is not rooted in the soul.

 

Before being tempted one prays to God as a stranger. But when one has entered tribulations because of his love and has not undergone change, then, one who has laid obligations on God, he is considered God’s housemate and friend, who has contended for the sake of [God’s] will against the army of his enemies. This is the meaning of: “Lead us not into temptation.”

 

And again: Pray that you do not enter into temptations on account of your pride but rather because you love God, that his power may shine out in you. Pray that you not enter into these temptations because of the folly of your thoughts and our deeds, but that you may be proved a friend of God, and that his power may be glorified in your patience….

 

Furthermore, He uses this opportunity mercifully. If you consider the things of the body, you see that God gives heed to the weakness of nature, lest perhaps on account of the wretchedness of the body, we would not find strength before the violence of the temptations when they occur, and because of this also fall from truth when we are overcome by afflictions. Therefore He commands us insofar as possible one should not willfully let oneself fall into temptation. And not only this, but also, you should pray earnestly that you not be found intemptation by chance, if it is possible to please God without temptation.

 

But if it is necessary on account of great virtue that temptations assail, even the most terrible, and if only when one accepts them is it possible to achieve virtue, in this case it is not right for us to be partial to ourselves or to anyone. Not even because of fear may you abandon that great event upon which haggs the life of your soul, taking to disguise weakness…