Grace, Not Guilt!

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Many people struggling with temptation are faced with a double burden.  They not only struggle against the temptation itself, they also struggle with guilt for feeling tempted at all.  “If I really loved God,” they say, “I wouldn’t feel this way and I wouldn’t be tempted.”  Such people need to remember the church’s Tradition regarding what it calls “concupiscence.”  Concupiscence is the weakness and inclination toward sin that remains with us even after original sin has been wiped away in baptism.  It is like the trick knee that plagues us long after the successful surgery has repaired the injury.  Concupiscence is not the injury itself, just the weakness that remains behind.  Thus, the church tells us that concupiscence is not, of itself, sinful.  Rather, it is a sort of “tinder for sin” that need not be set on fire if we ask for and receive the grace to resist the temptation.  Indeed, our struggle against concupiscence is not only not sinful, it is actually an occasion of glory for us as we join the ranks (and receive the rewards) of those who “conquer” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21).  So don’t be burdened by guilt as you struggle against temptation.  God knows your weakness and desires to help you, not harp at you.  Moreover, God delights even in your failed attempts to honor and obey him.  To all who struggle against concupiscence, he says, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”  So turn to him and ask his help.  He desires to give you grace, not guilt, for the struggle.

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Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.

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