"Know that the more the flesh pretends to be your friend and gives you no cause for suspicion, the greater the harm it inflicts later, and often strikes to death." The more we commune with the hunger of the flesh, the more life it sucks from the vine, till the vine branch is dried up and turns to kindling. One spark of passion and the once thriving branch burns to ash.

Bodily passions are as natural for us as breathing. They are in existence not by choice but by nature. This is not to say that we can not curb their wants, wills and desires - but make no mistake, you will never remove them completely. And so we must continue to remind ourselves before we too fall victim to their blind and selfish passions.

There many ways to avoid outside influences that may fan the flames of the bodily desires. As we spoke in the last chapter, much of this unpredictable influence is found in modern day media (TV, Movies, Radio, Internet). But there are some other practices that may not be known to you all at once, that may need to be examined as sources for undue influence. For Solomon the Wise calls a man wise who fears and avoids the causes of sin. It is a perfectly innocent moment that rises the passions of our body. These are known to those who have them, and unknown to those who don't. Be vigilant and part of any communion where the rise of sinful thoughts and/or passions may abound. Your daughter comes to you and says she and her friends are having a gathering at a friends house. Your daughter is 15. Answer this as you please, but the answer you say here should be the exact same answer you would say for yourself.

Each moment is an opportunity to produce fruit for God. Is it possible to produce fruit for God in everything we do? Yes. For the Godly man lives a life of such peace that it amazes those around him. So rid of worry. Just peace. For the Godly man knows, that you pray for everything, be anxious for nothing, and gives thanks for anything. Sol yes, you can produce fruit continually just by practicing these three items. For in your daily travels will some one see you, watch you, examine you and see the very presence of God in you. And though this may not be enough to convert them, or win them over to God completely, God may be using you as part of a grander scheme to win back souls. So stop and ask yourself - is what I am doing producing fruit for God.

Clothe yourself not in garments, but in humility. In humble submission. This is the most arduous of tasks asked of us, the complete submersion of ourselves into humility. For pride is a powerful drug - for it was pride that cause the first angel to fall (Satan) and it was pride that caused Adam to break God's commandment. Humility is the recognition of our own weaknesses. A free examination of our failings. A confession of our sins. Be humility also frees the soul from any worry, for it is often said to throw your worries at the foot of the cross. Seek advice from a higher spiritual warrior - preferably a priest. Though anyone can hear your confession, only a priest can absolve you from it. Which means simply this - anybody can help you expel the sin from your house (your body), but only a priest can shut out the sin from returning. Humbly submit that you may be shut up form the previous sins. For the warrior will never defeat any enemy if, after he has beaten them once, he allows them to live. For pretty soon, the warrior will be out numbered.

These are simple practices, but important. For this body you will have with you always. It is your weakest link in this spiritual struggle - but your greatest challenge. It will drain the weak and strengthen the strong. It can be silenced, but never stopped. But know you this, God gave you this body for a reason - to test your resolve. Only the true warrior can overcome the body's constant daily desires. Keep your focus ever Christward and not downward. And when your body nags at you to take a break, smile and say "When death has claimed us both, then shall you have rest. But not until then."

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(a) Ecclesiasticus 12:10