Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: temptation

Sin Can Be Attractive Bait, but There’s Always a Hook

Satan, it would seem, does not act in an arbitrary manner when trying to tempt us. Rather, he is more a master hunter carefully setting traps, or a skilled fisherman studying behavior in order to choose the most effective bait. Satan is calculating and clever. Sadly, most of us are far less calculating and clever… Read More ›

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5 Ways the Devil Attacks During Lent

Feeling more temptation than usual? ‘Tis the season, and here’s how to recognize and respond to it: The Lord said to satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” – Job 1:12 I don’t know about you but ever since I returned to the… Read More ›

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Pope Warns Against 3 Temptations That Threaten God’s Dream for UsDuring Mass in Ecatepec, Francis Departs From Script to Say ‘Don’t Dialogue With Devil,’ Because ‘He Will Always Win’

ZENIT-2/16/2016: Pope Francis has reminded Mexican faithful that Lent is a time to rediscover our joy as God’s children, and warned against three daily temptations that seek to destroy our Father’s plan for us. The Holy Father did this during the Mass he celebrated this morning in Ecatepec, Mexico, during his second full day in… Read More ›

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7 Spiritual Themes to Look for in Star Wars VII

The Force Awakens can help us appreciate anew our religious heritage and the stories that guide our choices George Lucas wanted Star Wars to be a new mythology that teaches a new generation about spirituality, good and evil. He deliberately used common themes in biblical stories and various religions in his movies. Here are seven… Read More ›

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Jesus should be sought more directly

It is always good to ask God to rectify what needs to be rectified deep down in our souls instead of sending trials to show us what darkness is most hidden. The deeper we purify, the higher our place in Heaven. The quickest avenue to that is a direct relationship with Jesus. Just ask Him… Read More ›

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Hey Future Husband, I’m A Sinner. How Are You?

“Look at all these sinners.” My friend sent me that text earlier today as I stood in line for confession, attached was a picture he took of me standing in the line across from him waiting to enter the confessional. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the text. It’s true, I am a… Read More ›

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Spiritual Combat and Your Weapons of Choice

The word of God teaches us that our life on earth is warfare and the Lord reminds us that if we have decided to follow the Lord we must be prepared for combat. The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the Gifts of the Holy Spirit within our souls and transforms us into “Soldiers of Christ” the… Read More ›

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What Are The Sources of Sin?

What are the sources of temptation? Briefly stated, they are the world, the flesh, and the devil. I will describe each of these more specifically below. We can begin by noting that God is not a source of temptation despite what many conclude from the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer, lead us not into temptation… Read More ›

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What Is Temptation

What is Temptation? A seminary teacher of mine once defined temptation quite plainly and succinctly: “Temptation is the work of the devil to drag you to Hell!” Indeed, that is quite plain. Of course he went on to give us more academic definitions, but he didn’t want us to miss the fact that when battling temptation we… Read More ›

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My soul does not want it

It was said of a brother that he had to fight against blasphemy and he was ashamed to admit it. He went where he heard some great old men lived to see them, in order to open his heart to them but when he got there, he was ashamed to admit his temptation. So he… Read More ›

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