Three Church Fathers on Lust, Humility, and the Prayer of St. Ephraim
The post presents three texts from Church Fathers addressing spiritual warfare against lust and the cultivation of virtue. St. Jerome describes lust as a wild beast that ravages the soul when fed but dies when starved. St. John Climacus identifies pride as the door through which lust enters and prescribes humility as the weapon against it.
The post concludes with the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, a Lenten prayer asking God to remove the spirits of sloth, despondency, lust of power, and idle talk, and to grant the spirits of chastity, humility, patience, and love. An image of Christ wearing the crown of thorns accompanies the texts. The page is described as dedicated to the Church Fathers and their teachings.
Main points
- St. Jerome compares lust to a wild beast that must be starved to die
- St. John Climacus links pride to lust and names humility as the remedy
- The Prayer of St. Ephraim asks for deliverance from four passions and the gift of four virtues
- The prayer is traditionally used during Great Lent with prostrations
- The post comes from a page dedicated to Church Fathers' teachings
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