Kirkepiscatoid

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the
deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.

It would be easy to make this stanza totally about sexual morality, but I think it’s bigger than that. To me, this stanza is more about being pure of heart and not giving in to impulsive and self-gratifying behavior, and not falling prey to the illusions of happiness that these impulses create.

You know, the problem with impulsive behavior is figuring out between “good” impulses and “bad” impulses. Although in so many things, I am meticulous to the border of obsessive-compulsive, I was once described by a good friend as “predictably unpredictable.” Impulses can be my greatest moments...and they can be my worst nightmares. I have acted on impulses that warmed the hearts of others. I have acted on impulses that have ended up with my driving a wedge through good friendships. I have acted on impulses that led me down paths of joy, and others the primrose path to Hell.

The problem, in the case of “bad” impulses, is the illusions these impulses create. They create illusions of perfection in our lives, that we’d be happier if (fill in the blank.) The problem is most of these have a component of exploitation to them. For you to have what you want, someone else will be exploited. That, to me, is how to tell the “good” impulses from the “bad” ones. The good ones are non-exploitative.

The bad ones turn us away from God, not because we’re “bad”, but because we are too engrossed in our self-gratification, we can’t see anyone else...not even God. Running off with the ilicit lover makes spouse and family suffer. Seeing toilet paper on sale causes us to buy and hoard 24 rolls, rather than the six we need. Going to the casino boat and spending too much in an attempt to be a “high roller” may cause you to miss paying the bills. The more we ponder our impulses, the more we want to give in to them. I literally have to distract myself from my own impulses.

Prayer can be a wonderful distraction that has inward positive benefits. It becomes more than a “distraction babysitter.” It can lead to growth.