THEOSISGregory the Great
For this is a serious transgression and the source of wrongdoing. It is akin to a fire that leads to ruin, devastating all my descendants, as stated in Job 31:11-12. There exists a distinction between ‘sin’ and ‘crime’; all crimes are sins, yet not every sin qualifies as a crime. In our earthly existence, there are individuals without moral offenses, but no one is entirely free from sin. Thus, the wise teacher, when describing a person fit for the priesthood, did not declare them ‘sinless’ but rather ‘without blame’ (Titus 1:6). But who among us can claim to be sinless, as it is written by John: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).
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He also highlights the difference between sin and crime, a crucial distinction to recognize: while occasional sins tarnish the soul, crimes bring about its death. Therefore, the revered Job characterizes lust as a consuming fire leading to ruin, as the evil of this sin is evident not merely from the permanence of its stain but because it destroys utterly. Regardless of the multitude of good deeds one may perform, the vile nature of lust cannot be cleansed; the soul becomes overwhelmed by the weight of this sin, leading to the eradication of its ‘offspring,’ which are virtuous actions. If the proper order is upset and the flesh rules over the spirit, then all the good that one achieves is also consumed by the flames of lust. In the sight of the Almighty, acts of righteousness and compassion are meaningless when presented from a heart tainted by corruption. What reward is there for someone who expresses genuine concern for another’s needs while simultaneously violating the sanctity of their own being, which is a temple of God? Therefore, if the fire of lust remains unquenched by a pure heart, any virtues are fruitless, as Moses declares: “For fire is kindled in My anger, burning to the lowest hell, and consuming the earth with its produce, and setting fire to the foundations of the mountains” (Deuteronomy 32:22). When the passions of the flesh consume every good thing, ‘the fire consumes the earth and its works.’ The consequences of righteous actions are surely incinerated by this flame of decay. Let him then assert, “A fire springing up to annihilation, which shall root out all my offspring.” If one does not resist the temptations of the flesh, even what seems good may ultimately come to nothing. Yet, there are those whose faults lead them to humility while their virtues can provoke pride. Thus, we must consider whether the esteemed Job, in his exceptional purity of heart, also displayed humility. The holy man, despite his multitude of virtues, clearly demonstrates this when he pleads: