WEDNESDAY
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:21–22).
Only the most common sins are listed here. Yet all other sins, both great and small, also proceed from the heart. The form in which they first appear is an evil thought. The first seed of evil that falls upon the mind is: “Do this or that.” Where does it come from, and how does it arise?
Some of these thoughts may be explained by certain laws governing the sowing and association of ideas and images. But this accounts for only a portion of them. Another, more considerable portion arises from the spontaneous stirring of the passions. Dwelling within the heart, a passion cannot help but demand satisfaction. This demand manifests itself as an inclination toward this or that action, and with the inclination comes the image of a particular object. Hence the thought: “Ah, this is what must be done!”
For example, when one is hungry, an impulse toward food is felt. Together with this impulse, food itself enters the mind, and with it comes the desire to obtain this or that thing and eat it.
A third—and perhaps the largest—portion comes from the unclean spirits. The air is filled with them, and they swarm around men in packs. Each, according to its own kind, exerts its influence upon those whom it encounters. Evil flies from them like sparks from red-hot iron. Wherever there is receptivity, the spark takes root, and with it comes the thought of an evil deed. This alone can explain the otherwise inexplicable arising of evil thoughts while we are occupied with things that have no connection whatsoever with them.
Nevertheless, these different causes do not require different ways of dealing with evil thoughts. The rule is one: as soon as an evil thought appears, reject it immediately—and the matter is finished. If you do not reject it at the first moment, it will be harder at the second, and harder still at the third. Before you realize it, sympathy, desire, and resolve will be born, and the means of carrying it out will present themselves—and behold, the sin is already at hand.
The first defense against evil thoughts is watchfulness and vigilance joined with prayer.
+ St. Theophan the Recluse - Thoughts for Every Day of the Year