Psalm 36 (35):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Indeed, there are individuals who do not resist, like the one described as having no aversion to wrong; how could he contend against that which he does not resist? Such a person succumbs to evil without any opposition. Others may put up a fight, yet they do so relying on their own abilities, and God wishes to demonstrate that true victory lies in turning to Him; thus they remain vanquished. Having learned the basics of righteousness, they become prideful and withdraw from the struggle, and in doing so they find themselves defeated. Yet who is it that fights and remains unconquered? It is he who acknowledges, “But I see another law in my members waging war against the law of my mind” (Romans 7:23). Observe this champion: he does not depend solely on his own strength, and as a result, he achieves victory. What else is stated? “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25). He places his trust in the One who commands the fight and prevails against adversities because the LORD supports him. In contrast, the one who has no aversion to evil lacks the motivation to resist.

Your door is ajar, and the multitude witnesses your prayers. What does it mean to close the door? It entails requesting from God what only He knows how to bestow. What do you seek in prayer when you close the door? It’s what the eye has not seen, the ear has not heard, and has not entered into the heart of man. Perhaps it has not reached your very bed, that is, your heart. Yet God knows what He intends to give: but when will it occur? When the Lord makes Himself known, when the Judge appears. Here he has established himself in all the wrong pursuits. What has he built upon? He continues in sin. It is similarly stated of a righteous man, "He did not stand in the way of sinners." Those who do not continue in sin have positioned themselves accordingly, but they do not detest evil. Here lies the conclusion, here is the outcome: if a man is unable to entirely rid himself of evil, at the very least, he should abhor it. For when you detest it, the temptation to commit evil will rarely cross your mind. Sin resides within our mortal bodies; what does the Apostle state? "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts." (Rom. 6:12) When will this not be true for him? When what he declares is realized in us: when this corruptible puts on incorruption, and this mortal assumes immortality. (1 Cor. 15:54) Until that time arrives, there exists the pleasure of sin within the body, yet even greater joy and fulfillment lies in the Word of Wisdom, in the Commandment of God. Overcome sin and its desires. Detest sin and wickedness in order to align with God, who abhors them as intensely as you do. Now, having connected your mind to the law of God, you serve the law of God in thought. Thus, if you serve the flesh, you obey it. This pertains not to deliberate sin, but to inclinations toward sin that you do not consent to. For as long as carnal pleasures dwell within you, they will persist when you cease the struggle. It is one thing to refrain from fighting and live in true and enduring peace; another to struggle and be overtaken; and yet another to surrender entirely, allowing yourself to be swept away.

Thus, the fundamental teachings of the holy prophet David guide us to shun wrongdoing, to refrain from sin, and to meditate on the law (See: Psalm 1:1-2). We are called to discern good from evil, continuously examining the origins of our thoughts and actions to prevent any insidious influences from corrupting them. The afflictions of the soul are far more severe than those of mere nature. Above all, we must guard against allowing the habit of wickedness to take root in human character, spreading contamination to future generations; for a corrupt tree inevitably bears corrupt fruit (Matthew 7:17). If we find ourselves performing actions we detest, unable to escape those we loathe due to carnal pleasure or the deceit of sin, how can we resist what we cherish? Refer to Romans 7:15-20. We are bound to act against our will; how can we avoid this bondage, even when it's against our desires? Through constant striving and struggle, Paul was ultimately liberated from his sins so that, having cast off the chains of captivity, he could be saved by Christ's grace. Do you believe you can attain the rewards of heavenly promises while still entrenched in your sins? The crown is achieved through battle, not through complacency; it is gained through diligence, not through opposition. Those who strive for victory must seek the aid of divine mercy, so that the crown of righteousness may be awarded to them for their efforts (See Romans 7:21-25; 2 Timothy 4:8).