======================================================================== WE MUST BE ON OUR GUARD, THEREFORE, AGAINST EVIL DESIRES by St. Benedict of Nursia ======================================================================== Summary: We must be constantly on guard against evil desires, lest we fall into sin and incur God's displeasure. Topics: "Resisting Sin", "Righteous Living" Scripture References: Proverbs 15:3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of being vigilant against evil desires, as death lurks near the gate of pleasure. He reminds the congregation of the command to resist sinful urges and to seek God diligently, knowing that the Lord watches over both the good and the evil. St. Benedict warns that our actions are constantly observed by God and reported by the Angels, urging us to avoid falling into wicked ways and to strive for righteousness before God's patience runs out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We must be on our guard, therefore, against evil desires, for death lies close by the gate of pleasure. Hence the Scripture gives this command: "Go not after your concupiscences" (Eccles. 18:30). So therefore, since the eyes of the Lord observe the good and the evil (Prov. 15:3) and the Lord is always looking down from heaven on the children of earth "to see if there be anyone who understands and seeks God" (Ps. 13[14]:2), and since our deeds are daily, day and night, reported to the Lord by the Angels assigned to us, we must constantly beware, brethren, as the Prophet says in the Psalm, lest at any time God see us falling into evil ways and becoming unprofitable (Ps. 13[14]:3); and lest, having spared us for the present because in His kindness He awaits our reformation, He say to us in the future, "These things you did, and I held My peace" (Ps. 49[50]:21). ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/we-must-be-on-our-guard-therefore-against-evil-desires/ ========================================================================