Activity
In the work we have been discussing, it is imperative that the struggler remain busy. Idleness, laziness, and boredom are key characteristics of modern man. With all the comforts, machines and computers, most of us do minimal manual labor, freeing us up to sink into idleness. St. Isaac the Syrian warns: “Ease and idleness are the destruction of the soul and they can injure her more than the demons.” Therefore, along with all the aforementioned methods and tactics, we must be alert and active in all the waking hours of the day.
It is no surprise that the negative effects of Idleness and laziness are boredom which gives birth to acedia and discontent, which gives rise to depression, which leads one to the fridge or cupboard, which opens the door to a multitude of sins. Patterns of idleness are sure to develop into various passions over time. The end result can be lack of motivation, hopelessness and even a loss of faith. St. Isaac the Syrian:
When a man is found to be lax and heedless in the work of virtue, when he has utterly abandoned the path and hastens slavishly to be subservient to every pleasure of sin, he makes his members weapons for the devil in complete obedience to him...
He goes on to connect this lazy acceptance of sin to the death of the soul which leads to, “complete destruction and utter abandonment.” St. Isaac claims the path out of this is, “to not forget the love of the Father” and to engage in bodily labors.
The bodily discipline that is pleasing to God is called bodily labors which are done for the purging of our flesh with the practicing of virtue through visible deeds, by which the impurity of the flesh is filtered out.
We must always be busy and active with some form of work or activity; being occupied both in body and mind. For the body, this can include building, fixing, creating, making, walking, cleaning, organizing, designing, gardening, writing, exercising, and especially helping others. For the mind, we should occupy ourselves with reading the scriptures, the lives of the saints, and exploring the vast library of writings of the Church Fathers.
Whatever we chose to do we must keep in mind St. Paul’s words, for he reminds us of the eternal purpose of our labors:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23)
Lastly, we must remember the promise of Jesus (Matt 11:28):