Teachings on the Struggle With Temptations.

(Mat. 18:6-10; Mark 9:42-50; Luke 17:1-2).

The Apostles’ arguments on primacy, the child embraced by the Lord, news of a man driving out demons in Christ’s name — directed the Lord’s conversation toward the protection of the small and weak, against temptations that they may be subjected to by the powerful of this world: “But whoever cause one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea,” — whoever tempts one of Christ’s followers, it would be better if he was dead, because through temptation he can destroy the person’s soul for which Christ died. Consequently, that person is committing a grave sin, deserving the most severe punishment. The word “millstone” means a large stone at the mill that was turned by a donkey. The Lord continues with a heavy heart: “Woe to the world because of offences! For offences must come,” as the world cannot avoid temptations because it is immersed in evil (1 John 5:19), people are in a state of sinful spoilage while the devil is among them — in constant search of prey. However, this doesn’t mean that it is permissible to tempt. On the contrary: “Woe to that man by whom the offence comes!” — woe to him that deliberately, or by contempt, or by neglect toward a loved one, induces him to sin. In order to show what enormous evil a person commits when he tempts, the Lord reminds anew about the sayings in His Sermon on the Mount, regarding the arm or leg that tempts. The expression that it is necessary to cut them off and cast them away, or pluck out an eye that tempts, means that there is no greater evil for a person than sin. Consequently, in order to avoid falling into sin — in case of necessity — it is essential to sacrifice that which is closest and dearest to you, so as to avoid plunging into sin. Saint Mark’s expression: “Where their worm does not die,” presents a sinner in the form of a corpse that is being devoured by worms — symbolic worm — being conscience that incessantly tears at the person with recollections of past transgressions (Isaiah 66:24).

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire” — every person has to be subjected to suffering: consequently, he who doesn’t suffer in his earthly life, doesn’t deaden and subdue his passions (1 Cor. 9:27), he will suffer in the fire of eternal flames. Just as every sacrificial offering to God had to be salted in accordance with the Law of Moses (Lev. 2:13), likewise, flames of misfortune, trials and struggles must be prepared as a sacrifice to Christ by the Apostles and all His followers.

“Have salt in yourselves,” i.e. have within yourselves, those lofty moral beginnings and rules, which cleanse the soul and protect it from moral decay — salt of genuine wisdom and sound teachings (Col. 4:6). “And have peace with one another,” peace, as a fruit of love, as an expression of completeness, achieved through self-renouncement. Thoughts of who is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven should not be raised, because this could lead to divisions, dissatisfaction and animosity. They should be about being “salt,” and be in peace and in unity of love among themselves.