“When we coddle the flesh in order to foster its desires, then the passion becomes evil and self-indulgence gives rise to the carnal passions and renders the soul diseased.”
Gregory Palamas (1296-1359) in a letter To The Most Reverend Nun Xenia as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. R.E. Guiley (New York, 2002) 192.
With all the concern about physical infections like ebola, perhaps we should be mindful of protecting our souls from spiritual disease? To do this we must mortify rather than foster the desires of the flesh, as such activity “diseases” the soul (cf. 1 Timothy 5:6) leading to self-indulgence rather than unselfish generosity and sharing. God help us.