M
MysticMissMisty
Guest
Salvete, omnes!
There are apparently a number of passages both in the Old and New Testaments that speak to avoidance of sin. Many of these speak of avoiding even “near occasions of sin” due to even the potential for sinning.
However, there are those who, under certain circumstances, may have strong enough wills so as to avoid sin, even if they are placed in situations that might otherwise be considered “near occasions”.
Not to sound terribly vain, but I believe (and I have found in the past) that I myself indeed have a very strong will and am easily able to resist temptation. (Now, I’m not saying that I am guaranteed to do so under all circumstances, but I think I know myself well enough as to avoid those circumstances where I am very likely to be led into sin.)
The question then arises: Is the notion of “near occasion for sin” a completely objective standard? Or, can it be more subjective in the sense that what may be a “near occasion” for some may not be for someone else because of a difference in strength of will? If one is introduced into a completely new situation, how can one know 100% whether one is entering into a “near occasion” or not? In those cases, is it best to avoid the situation entirely or is one free to “test the waters” in the sense that he/she is permitted to go there so long as, if he/she experiences temptation and cannot control it, he/she must get out of it? What of the situations where this, though, is practically impossible? Also, how much is the correcting ofthe will to be invoked rather than the avoidance of the situation?
Thanks.
There are apparently a number of passages both in the Old and New Testaments that speak to avoidance of sin. Many of these speak of avoiding even “near occasions of sin” due to even the potential for sinning.
However, there are those who, under certain circumstances, may have strong enough wills so as to avoid sin, even if they are placed in situations that might otherwise be considered “near occasions”.
Not to sound terribly vain, but I believe (and I have found in the past) that I myself indeed have a very strong will and am easily able to resist temptation. (Now, I’m not saying that I am guaranteed to do so under all circumstances, but I think I know myself well enough as to avoid those circumstances where I am very likely to be led into sin.)
The question then arises: Is the notion of “near occasion for sin” a completely objective standard? Or, can it be more subjective in the sense that what may be a “near occasion” for some may not be for someone else because of a difference in strength of will? If one is introduced into a completely new situation, how can one know 100% whether one is entering into a “near occasion” or not? In those cases, is it best to avoid the situation entirely or is one free to “test the waters” in the sense that he/she is permitted to go there so long as, if he/she experiences temptation and cannot control it, he/she must get out of it? What of the situations where this, though, is practically impossible? Also, how much is the correcting ofthe will to be invoked rather than the avoidance of the situation?
Thanks.