Is the Body Your Enemy?

By Archdeacon Habib Guirgus

Look at how many times your body's desire fought you? How many times did it actually cause you to fall? Many are its wars! That's why St. Paul cried out saying: "Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24).

But the human body is a blessed 'vessel' for our souls and spirits, according to St. Paul; "do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" (I Corinthians 6:19).

It is vicious in its fights, due to the lusts and desires.

It can pull you away from God's mercy, and lead you to go against the Lord's commandments and His honorable will.

Let me ask you, how many times did your body force you away from the goodness and beneficence of God and His grace, and caused you to lose your spiritual life?
There is very critical and dangerous fact I like to share with you, and that is, the devil fights you through your body and by using your body against you!

So, do not let it lead you to enjoy a luxurious life, lest it turns against you as a vicious beast and tears you apart.  Detain its desires and lusts, and cry out with St. Paul saying; "but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (I Corinthians 9:27).

Truly, the body needs to be brought to subjection and discipline, lest it revolts against you and subdue you to it.

The senses of the body needs to be controlled tightly, better yet, be crucified, "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24)

Sensual senses and desires belittle and despise God and honor the world! "Put to death our carnal lusts, O Christ, our God, and deliver us" (Agpeya, 9th hour, Verse 1)
 May the Good Lord subdue these 'enemies' and put their power to an end and abolish their sting.

O, beloved: if you subjected and disciplined your body, and denied yourself from its sensual lusts, then you would have shown true love towards it, by protecting it and preventing it from falling and causing you to fall, as well.

The good physician does not hate his patient when he prevents him from certain things, which he desires and likes.

You are actually helping yourself, along with your body, to overcome and protect it from filth, and preparing it for eternal life, forever, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25).

The wise Solomon said; "I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on ground like servants" (Ecclesiastes 10:7). Your spirit should lead you, as for your body, it should be led by your mind, as the cattle are led by their owners or peasants.
Would you let an animal control you, to lead you rather than leading it?
You have been created on the image and likeness of God (cf. Genesis 1:27), likeness in righteousness, holiness, and truth, appreciate and respect this aspect, and you will be in control of yourself.