Passions: Orthodox Spirituality Perspective

In Orthodox spirituality, passions are described as disordered desires that enslave us to the material world and hinder our union with God (Theosis). They are considered consequences of Adam and Eve's Fall, and Christians face a constant struggle against them.

The Orthodox tradition identifies eight principal passions:

1. Gluttony: Excessive desire for food and drink.
2. Lust: Excessive desire for sexual pleasure.
3. Avarice: Excessive desire for material possessions.
4. Anger: Excessive desire to harm others.
5. Dejection: Excessive desire to withdraw from the world.
6. Listlessness: Excessive desire to avoid effort, embracing idleness.
7. Pride: Excessive desire for self-exaltation, glorifying oneself excessively.
8. Vainglory: Excessive desire for praise from others.

The passions themselves are not inherently evil. They are natural desires that have been distorted by the Fall. However, if we allow them to control us, they can lead us to sin and spiritual death.

The Orthodox tradition teaches that overcoming passions involves a process of purification and transformation, encompassing the following steps:

1. Acknowledgment: Recognizing that we are enslaved by our passions and honestly confronting our weaknesses and shortcomings.

2. Repentance: Turning to God in repentance, seeking His forgiveness and strength to conquer our passions.

3. Asceticism: Practicing self-discipline and denying our excessive desires to break free from the control of passions.

4. Prayer: Engaging in prayer to connect with God, receive His grace, and seek His assistance in overcoming passions and nurturing holiness.

Overcoming passions is a lifelong journey filled with challenges, but it is also a journey of hope. As we cultivate love for God and others, we draw nearer to conquering our passions and attaining theosis.

God willing, in our upcoming article, we will explore passions supported by biblical verses. Stay tuned to understand what the Scriptures say about the passions— Orthodox spirituality perspectives.