In this enlightening discussion, Erik Varden, a Cistercian monk and Bishop of Trondheim, shares invaluable wisdom on the teachings of the Desert Mothers, particularly focusing on Amma Sara's courageous battle against temptation. He highlights how her unwavering reliance on Christ exemplifies true strength in spiritual struggle. The conversation also delves into the important role women played in desert spirituality and reinterprets temptation as a pathway to growth, emphasizing endurance and faith through life's challenges.
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Amma Sarah's Endurance in Temptation
Amma Sarah battled the demon of lust for 13 years without praying for it to leave.
She asked only for strength, showing endurance in spiritual warfare.
insights INSIGHT
Seeing Beyond Gender in Spirituality
Perfect monks see others as God's image, beyond superficial gender distinctions.
A pure heart sees all people as Christ's messengers and remains untroubled by temptations.
insights INSIGHT
Temptation as Spiritual Training
Temptation purifies and strengthens virtue by revealing vulnerabilities.
Christian maturity grows through combat, not absence of struggle.
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Join host Jamie Baxter from Exodus 90 for Episode 25 of Desert Fathers in a Year, titled “Amma Sara and the Battle Against Temptation.” This episode dives into the fifth chapter of the Desert Fathers’ systematic collection on lust, featuring a powerful saying from desert mother Amma Sara. Guided by Bishop Erik Varden, the episode explores how to face demonic temptations with fortitude and reliance on Christ, situating Christian spirituality within the pursuit of truth and freedom. Recorded during the Kings of Summer initiative, this reflection offers timeless wisdom for men seeking to conquer vice through virtue.
Key Themes and Reflections
Amma Sara’s Saying: Amma Sara endured a 13-year battle with the demon of lust, never praying for the struggle to cease but simply asking, “My God, strengthen me.” When the demon, disguised as lust and later vanity, claimed defeat, she humbly replied, “Not I have vanquished you. Christ my Lord has,” showcasing reliance on Christ’s victory.
Role of Desert Mothers: Women like Amma Sara were equals or superiors to male monks, correcting flawed perspectives (e.g., a nun’s quip to a monk avoiding women: “Had you been a perfect monk, you wouldn’t have noticed that we are women”). A pure heart sees God’s image in all, free from passion.
Theology of Temptation: Temptations aren’t unfair disruptions but opportunities for growth, purifying and clarifying vulnerabilities. God allows them for salvation, not destruction, despite the devil’s suggestion of senselessness.
Our Father Debate: Liturgical shifts (e.g., “let us not enter temptation” vs. “lead us not”) reflect modern discomfort, but the Greek text affirms God’s purposeful allowance of trials, balanced by human frailty and divine plan.
Fortitude in Combat: Amma Sara’s ascesis and prayer model spiritual warfare, abiding in temptation as a crucible to emerge as “gold” through grace, rejecting both sensuality and vanity.
Modern Misconceptions: Secular culture demands comfort, viewing temptation as unjust, but God prioritizes truth and freedom, using trials to mature believers.
Scriptural and Literary Connections
Galatians 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female,” reflected in the nun’s correction, emphasizing unity in Christ.
Our Father (Matthew 6:13): “Lead us not into temptation” expresses diffidence, acknowledging human limits while trusting God’s salvific purpose.
Athanasius’ Life of Anthony: Frames Anthony’s nuanced view of lust, setting the stage for Amma Sara’s similar reliance on Christ.
Bishop Varden’s Writings: His reflections on peace as conquered, not passive, align with Amma Sara’s active combat (cf. Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses).
Mary of Egypt’s Life: Her holiness humbled monk Zosima, paralleling Amma Sara’s exemplary virtue.
Action Items for Listeners
Adopt Amma Sara’s Prayer: Pray “My God, strengthen me” when facing temptation to rely on Christ’s power.
Reflect on Temptation’s Purpose: Journal how past trials have clarified weaknesses or spurred growth, fostering gratitude for God’s plan.
Pursue Purity of Heart: Practice seeing others as God’s image, not threats, through daily acts of reverence (e.g., kind words, blessings).
Engage with Kings of Summer: Join the Exodus 90 app’s challenge, meditating on King David and Christian kings to grow in virtue.
Submit Q&A Questions: Email hello@desertfathers.com with questions for Bishop Varden’s upcoming Q&A.
Share the Podcast: Recommend Desert Fathers in a Year to a friend and leave a review to support its mission.
Call to Action
Visit DesertFathers.com to subscribe to the newsletter or submit questions for Bishop Varden’s Q&A (email: hello@desertfathers.com).
Share Desert Fathers in a Year with a friend and leave a review to grow the community.
Download the Exodus 90 app to join Kings of Summer, exploring Christ’s kingship through 1 Samuel and historical Christian kings.
Engage on social media with #DesertFathers to share insights on overcoming temptation.
Episode Highlights
Amma Sara’s Fortitude: Her 13-year battle and humble reliance on Christ model spiritual warfare for modern Christians.
Desert Mothers’ Equality: Stories of Amma Sara and others reveal women’s integral role in asceticism, challenging male monks to greater holiness.
Temptation’s Role: Practical and theological insights reframe temptation as a path to truth and freedom, not mere disturbance.
Liturgical Nuance: The “lead us not” debate underscores God’s purposeful allowance of trials, balanced by human trust.
Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden