The danger of caring for the body lies in the following

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III









The danger of caring for the body lies in the following hard statements:

“For to be carnally minded is death” and “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God.” (Rom 8:6,7).

Who can comprehend these words and persist in accordance with the flesh?

The Apostle also says: “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.“ (Rom 8:8).

Therefore, brethren, we are not indebted to the body that we may live according to it, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Rom 8:13).

It is admirable the Apostle’s saying, for in fasting we do not do away with the body but its evil deeds. We destroy the deeds of the body by the spirit that we may live. We do not torture the body but we rather do not submit to its deeds. We do not give the body its lusts and desires, but exaltation, loftiness above materialistic things, and the surrender to the Spirit, as the Apostle says: “But to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom 8:6).