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From fornication, and all other deadly sin; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, Spare us, good Lord. and the English translations of Roman Catholic litanies often contain a similar petition. [8] This traditional turn of phrase gave rise to a number of films and books entitled The world, the flesh, and the devil.
In its simplest form, mortification of the flesh can mean merely denying oneself certain pleasures, such as permanently or temporarily abstaining (i.e. fasting), from meat, alcoholic beverages, sexual relations, or an area of life that makes the person's spiritual life more difficult or burdensome.
John of the Cross cites the world, the flesh, and the devil as threats to the perfection of the soul, and offers different "precautions" to be taken against each of these. [ 10 ] Some have responded to the idea of temptation by teaching or practicing asceticism ; (see also ascetical theology and mortification of the flesh ).
Self-flagellation is the disciplinary and devotional practice of flogging oneself with whips or other instruments that inflict pain. [1] In Christianity , self-flagellation is practiced in the context of the doctrine of the mortification of the flesh and is seen as a spiritual discipline .
The Roman Catholic Church has often held mortification of the flesh (literally, "putting the flesh to death"), as a worthy spiritual discipline. The practice is rooted in the Bible: in the asceticism of the Old and New Testament saints, and in its theology, such as the remark by Saint Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, where he states: "If you live a life of nature, you are marked out for ...
In Hebrews 2:14 the devil "holds the power of death." [38] Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire". The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.
The same verse describes the Devil as "a man-killer from the beginning" [88] and "a liar and the father of lying." [88] [89] John 13:2 describes the Devil as inspiring Judas to betray Jesus [90] and John 12:31–32 identifies Satan as "the Archon of this Cosmos", who is destined to be overthrown through Jesus's death and resurrection. [91]