For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18
“Which is the place – the flesh or the intellect – most expedient for the spirit of evil that rises up against us from below? Is it not the flesh, in which Paul says that there is nothing good (Romans 7:18) until the law of life makes its habitation there?
It is on account of this especially that the flesh must never escape our attention. How can it become our own? How can we avoid abandoning it? How can we repulse the devil’s assault upon it – especially we who do not yet know how to contend spiritually with the spiritual forces of wickedness – unless we train ourselves to pay attention to ourselves also with respect to the outward positioning of the body?
But why do I speak of those newly engaged in spiritual warfare when there are more perfect people, not only after Christ’s incarnation but also before it, who during prayer have adopted this outward positioning of the body and to whom the deity readily hearkened? Elijah himself, pre-eminent among spiritual visionaries, leaned his head upon his knees, and having in this manner assiduously gathered his intellect into itself and into God he put an end to the drought that had lasted many years (cf. 1 Kgs. 18:42-45).
But it seems to me, brother, that these men from whom you say you heard such slanders suffer from the illness of the Pharisees: they refuse to examine and cleanse the inside of the cup – that is to say, their heart – and not being grounded in the traditions of the fathers they try to assume precedence over everyone, as new teachers of the law (Matt. 23:25-26).
Gregory Palamas (1296-1359) was a monk of Mount Athos and later archbishop of Thessalonica in “In Defense of Those who Devoutly Practice a Life of Stillness” in Philokalia V4.340.
There’s a lot going on here. Let’s unpack it.
To contend spiritually is to focus on the real factors that aim to hinder our generous living, giving, serving, and loving. They are spiritual. We must train ourselves to pay attention to them and we can have victory over them, like Elijah had victory.
Simultaneously, we must cleanse the inside of the cup.
When we focus on spiritual growth, we must avoid the trap of pride like the Pharisees. With Gregory, let’s simply ask God today what needs washing in our hearts so that we can live, give, serve, and love generously and have victory over the spiritual forces of evil.
God, as we examine ourselves, teach us to contend spiritually and show us where our cup needs cleaning. Amen.