Be the Bee # 156 | 3 Ways Christians Can Deal with Temptation

[@y2am]

Download the workbook for today's episode: mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee156

[@as4434]

This link doesn’t work for me. How else can I access this? Thanks

[@JacquelineRPrice]

If I try to ignore them, it makes it worse. But if I choose to start praying the Jesus Prayer, I find that they go away or will subside.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Great to see everyone in the chat! I hope this episode gives you practical ways to keep your attention on God.

[@chagall643]

There is a book I read Orthodox psychotherapy ... .....main weapon against logismoi is the Prayer of Jesus ......it s my main practice ....I also like touching my rope (komposkoini)and say inside my head that now I connect with Christ as my shepard.....logismoi then disappear

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

@@chagall643 Excellent book!

[@savagedaddy1287]

My priest recommended Be The Bee to my daughters and I since we are converting. I love these videos and this one especially! Thank you, Steve!

[@chagall643]

Hello fron Greece

[@ddewcifer]

Just got home from the entombment of Metropolitan Maximos at St Gregory Palamas Monastery and had this video to watch afterwards, God is Good.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

May his memory be eternal!

[@themisttok]

Best Christian teacher and keep spreading the word keep doing what your doing

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

You're too generous. God bless you. Pray for us!

[@ter_13l]

Thank you Steven, this was such a helpful video, i especially loved the S.t Paisios quote of " thoughts are like Airplanes", amazing, God Bless.

[@annetteconrad1117]

Wow! I needed this! Thank you!

[@jonathon5135]

Thank you

[@ohheybigbabysweets]

I needed this video !

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Glory to God!

[@samanthagirikhanov2796]

I just learned about this in inquirer class. I felt like shouting mine out but I held back. But I was so relieved to hear it spoken of so clearly.

[@SeraphMowlid]

Bless God for you. You have practical advice that I can apply now.

[@elizabethshaw734]

I always pray the Our Father when I get into bed and there are some nights when I have to start over 10 or more times but I keep starting over until I get it and then I go to sleep.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Nice. Persistence pays off!

[@veldc8730]

Thank you.. We must fight and be corageous, if we are lazy and let ourselves go we're losing battles in no time

[@elizabethshaw734]

I've never had Temptations when trying to pray but my mind seems to run 24/7.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Interesting! It's the reverse for me. Haha

[@theturtwig50]

@@stevenchristoforou1667 Is it possible to learn this power?

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

@@theturtwig50 lol we're all built different, I suppose.

[@josephmy9094]

There is one cure turn you're mind heart and soul against temptation 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

[@johnstathopoulos1354]

So good!!!

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Glory to God! I'm glad this was helpful.

[@NysiaP]

One of my favorite episodes so far! Thank you!

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Glory to God!

[@peterorthodox360]

Thanks for the video Steve! I deal with this problem all the time and Its hard to ignore. But this helped. Thank you brother in Chrsit. Kryie Eleison ☦🙏

[@dimitrioszabarelos5168]

Needed this thank you 😁❤️ God bless your videos are always so helpful.

[@emiliosantoniou]

Magnificent my Kind Brother Steve! What I need for my thoughts!

[@feeble_stirrings]

Great stuff and so important to our growth as Christians. Thanks for the always necessary reminder.

[@greenhaven-podcast]

I thought about watching a video on the election, but then I redirected and watched Be the Bee instead. 😆 🐝 ☦️ ❤️

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Haha I see what you did there. :-)

[@JAG824]

Thank you I needed to watch this video

[@jennyc.8358]

I write my best to-do lists when I sit down to pray :) Thanks for addressing this, and pointing out that the adversary works extra hard to interrupt those who are seeking God. I just have a couple of questions. First: did Jesus quote Samuel in the wilderness? I could have sworn it was Deuteronomy against all three of satan's temptations. And second, regarding the advice about "ignoring" thoughts entirely... some thoughts are recurring temptations for a reason. Might it be worthwhile to explore (with a spiritual father or therapist) *why* those particular thoughts are there? i.e., Do they stem from a lie we were led to believe when we were young, a lie about who we are? about who God is? Working to eradicate the obstacle, rather than stepping over it, might end up being more helpful in the long run. I wasn't sure if you addressed that in the packet.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

1. That's a double citation, then. We were referencing 1 Samuel 7:3. But yes, that's also in Deuteronomy! 2. Good question about exploring thoughts. Yes, trying to identify their source (with some guidance) can be very helpful. But that's not an "in the moment" strategy. When the thought comes, ignore. Later, when the thought isn't tempting us, we can reflect on what's actually going on in our hearts. We do get into that a bit in the packet.

[@jennyc.8358]

@@stevenchristoforou1667 thank you! both for the Samuel reference (I would have never made that connection) and for clarifying in-the-moment vs. delayed reflection. Makes perfect sense :)

[@josephmy9094]

#Bring back the trench # bring back christian

[@shawnhampton8503]

I love your videos but feel I need to share this critique: the constant rock guitar riff background during them is just not helpful. I think music could be more effectively used in your videos if you varied it and did not have it playing the whole time you are talking.

[@stevenchristoforou1667]

Thanks for the constructive feedback! We've been playing with the mix and use of music for a while now. Still tinkering with with it.