"Stages of Sin and Spiritual Warfare"�"مراحل الخطية والحرب الروحية"

Based on the Teachings of St. Mark the Ascetic

حسب تعاليم القديس مرقس الناسك

Introduction

The reference to St. Mark the Ascetic's teachings is cited from "The Philokalia"

Introduction

• The term "Philokalia" (Φιλοκαλία) is of Greek origin and can be translated to mean "love of the beautiful" or "love of the good." It is a collection of texts written by various Christian ascetics, including St. Anthony and St. Mark the Ascetic, and it is a significant source for Orthodox Christian spiritual guidance.
• "فيلوكاليا" كلمة يونانية تعني "محبة الصلاح" أو "محبة الخير" أو "محبة الجمال". وهي عبارة عن مجموعة من كتابات آباء الكنيسة الأولى، الذين بلغوا درجات عالية في الروحيات مثل الأنبا انطونيوس والقديس مرقس الناسك. وهي تمثل مصدر هام للإرشاد الروحي المسيحي الأرثوذكس.

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St. Mark the Ascetic �القديس مرقس الناسك

• "What repayment for all these blessings can you possibly make to Him who has called your soul to eternal life? It is only right, then, that you should live no longer for yourself, but for Christ, who died for your sake and rose again.”

"ما هو الرد المقابل لكل هذه النعم والبركات لمن دعاك للحياة الأبدية؟ لا يصح ألا تعيش بعد الآن لنفسك ، بل للمسيح الذي مات وقام من أجلك."

The Spiritual Battle

• "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." - Romans 7:19
• "لأَنِّي لَسْتُ أَفْعَلُ الصَّالِحَ الَّذِي أُرِيدُهُ، بَلِ الشَّرَّ الَّذِي لَسْتُ أُرِيدُهُ فَإِيَّاهُ أَفْعَلُ." (رو 7: 19).

• "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8
• "اُصْحُوا وَاسْهَرُوا. لأَنَّ إِبْلِيسَ خَصْمَكُمْ كَأَسَدٍ زَائِرٍ، يَجُولُ مُلْتَمِسًا مَنْ يَبْتَلِعُهُ هُوَ." (1 بط 5: 8).

It’s A Process!

From the idea to the act of sinning, it's a process that needs recognition and intervention.

من الفكرة إلى فعل الخطية ، عملية تحتاج إلى الادراك والتدخل.

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"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." - Matthew 26:41�"اِسْهَرُوا وَصَلُّوا لِئَلاَّ تَدْخُلُوا فِي تَجْرِبَةٍ. أَمَّا الرُّوحُ فَنَشِيطٌ وَأَمَّا الْجَسَدُ فَضَعِيفٌ»." (مت 26: 41).

The Six Stages of Sin

Disturbance

The Action

Coupling

Provocation

Habit Formation

1

2

3

5

4

Passion

6

Stage 1: Provocation

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• Definition: Initial stimulus or thought, initial suggestion to sin.

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." - James 1:14

"وَلكِنَّ كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ يُجَرَّبُ إِذَا انْجَذَبَ وَانْخَدَعَ مِنْ شَهْوَتِهِ." (يع 1: 14).

• Action: Reject sin immediately upon the initial suggestion.

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• Importance: Marks the beginning of spiritual warfare.

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Stage 2: Momentary Disturbance of the Intellect

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• Definition: Initial thought to sin. Disturbed by a thought, but no sin yet.

"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me." - Psalm 101:3��"لاَ أَضَعُ قُدَّامَ عَيْنَيَّ أَمْرًا رَدِيئًا. عَمَلَ الزَّيَغَانِ أَبْغَضْتُ. لاَ يَلْصَقُ بِي." (مز 101: 3).

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• Counteraction: Replace sinful thoughts with holy thought

Stage 3: Coupling

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• Definition: Playing with the idea of committing sin. Attaching yourself to the thought, planning for the sin.

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"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him." - Isaiah 55:7

"لِيَتْرُكِ الشِّرِّيرُ طَرِيقَهُ، وَرَجُلُ الإِثْمِ أَفْكَارَهُ، وَلْيَتُبْ إِلَى الرَّبِّ فَيَرْحَمَهُ، وَإِلَى إِلهِنَا لأَنَّهُ يُكْثِرُ الْغُفْرَانَ." (إش 55: 7).

• Consequence: Sin is committed in the heart، by coupling with the thought.

For we are not Ignorant

• Sin doesn't always present itself with an ugly face.

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• We need to recognize and deal with sin at the early stages.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." - James 4:7�"فَاخْضَعُوا للهِ. قَاوِمُوا إِبْلِيسَ فَيَهْرُبَ مِنْكُمْ." (يع 4: 7).

Stage 4: The Action Itself

• Definition: The actual commission of the sinful act. Actively engaging in the sin.

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." - James 1:14

"وَلكِنَّ كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ يُجَرَّبُ إِذَا انْجَذَبَ وَانْخَدَعَ مِنْ شَهْوَتِهِ." (يع 1: 14).

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Stage 5: Habit Formation

• "Definition: The sin becomes a habit. Repeatedly committing a particular sin, forming a habit.

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. (Heb 12: 4)

"لَمْ تُقَاوِمُوا بَعْدُ حَتَّى الدَّمِ مُجَاهِدِينَ ضِدَّ الْخَطِيَّةِ،"  (عب 12: 4).

• Resistance: Requires significant effort and asceticism.
• Challenge: Little resistance, weak efforts to resist.

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Stage 6: Passion

• Definition: A particular sin dominates one's life. Leading to Spiritual death.

• Consequence: A dangerous stage requiring significant effort to overcome. Very challenging to overcome.

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"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." - Romans 8:5

"فَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ هُمْ حَسَبَ الْجَسَدِ فَبِمَا لِلْجَسَدِ يَهْتَمُّونَ، وَلكِنَّ الَّذِينَ حَسَبَ الرُّوحِ فَبِمَا لِلرُّوحِ." (رو 8: 5).

• Strategies: Intensified fasting, prayer, and continuous effort.

Stage 6: Passion

• At this stage, You are not provoked anymore. Now, you are generating the provocation yourself.

• You see the world through the lens of this sin. It dominates your life and takes over your whole life.

• You live in a state where your whole world revolves along that sin, whether Pride, Gluttony, Lust, Greed, Sorrow, Anger, Despair, or Vainglory.

From Being Triggered by the Success of Others to Hatred

Stimulus: The initial stimulus is a situation where I perceive a success, or an advantage or possession in someone else's life, triggering feelings of How about me?

I feel emotional disturbance due to the perceived inequality or disadvantage: Why Me?

Provocation

Disturbance

This is where I start comparing myself to others and attaches themselves to the thought of jealousy, dwelling on it and planning actions or responses to address the perceived injustice.

Coupling

1

2

3

Envy:

I actively engage in actions driven by jealousy. This could involve overt expressions of envy, gossiping, or taking steps to undermine the person I am jealous of.

Repeated Expressions:

If not addressed, the actions driven by jealousy become habitual. I consistently react with envy and meanness whenever faced with situations that trigger jealousy.

Dominance of Hatred:

Jealousy evolves into a dominant passion, and the person no longer needs external stimuli to feel jealous. Their entire worldview is shaped by this passion, and it may lead to more destructive emotions like hatred.

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Action

Habit Formation

Passion

4

5

6

From Being Triggered by the Success of Others to Hatred

The Danger

Passion becomes a dominant force, hindering humility and genuine spiritual growth.

The Progression from Provocation to Passion: Gluttony

Actively engaging in overeating or unhealthy eating habits

Repeated engagement in gluttonous behaviours

Food and indulgence dominate one's life, leading to health and spiritual

Action

Habit Formation

Passion

Exposure to excessive or tempting food.

Desire or appetite for the food arises.

Provocation

Disturbance

Planning and anticipating the pleasure of eating.

Coupling

4

5

6

1

2

3

The Progression from Provocation to Passion: Anger

Explosion: Reacting with uncontrolled anger

Repeated engagement in wrathful behaviours

Anger becomes a dominant and destructive force in one's life.

Action

Habit Formation

Passion

Facing situations that evoke anger or frustration.

Irritation arises

Provocation

Disturbance

Planning and justifying aggressive responses

Coupling

4

5

6

1

2

3

How to Break this Process

1- Realize Our Ongoing need for spiritual practices to resist sin.

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2- The Power of Disinterest

• Disinterest is a powerful way to fight against sin.
• Walk away to become disinterested.
• Being unemotional is an effective strategy to become disinterested in sinful temptations.�

How to Break this Process

3 - Resistance and Spiritual Practices: Strong resistance, coupled with fasting, prayer, and spiritual practices, is essential to overcome sin and prevent the development of passions.

4 - Constant Vigilance: Recognizing the stages of sin is crucial for effective spiritual warfare. Continuous vigilance and intervention is encouraged to overcome sin and strive for eternal life.

St. Mark the Ascetic �القديس مرقس الناسك

"When a thought of God is brought into your mind, straightaway turn your eyes to your heart and gaze intently upon it, for in this way your mind will be drawn into your heart.”

"عندما يتبادر إليك فكرة عن الله، انقل فورًا انتباهك إلى قلبك وانظر بتأنٍ إليه، لأن بهذه الطريقة سيتم استدراج عقلك إلى قلبك."

Thank You for Your Attention!

RESOURCES

• The Philokalia, volumes 1-4, compiled by St. Nikodemus of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth, translated from the Greek and edited by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Kallistos Ware, published by Faber and Faber, Ltd., London, copyright 1979 by The Eling Trust
• Ante-Nicene Fathers, edited by Alexander Roberts, D.D. & James Donaldson, LL.D., volumes 1-10, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts
• Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, edited by Philip Schaff, D.D., LL.D., volumes 1-14, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts
• Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, edited by Philip Schaff, D.D., LL.D. & Henry Wace, D.D., volumes 1-14, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts