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Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty · Catechism · 1242

Faith Q&A › Catechism › 4. The Virtues of Chastity and Purity

How should we deal with thoughts that creep into our minds?

The answer

St. Mark the Ascetic says, “The appearance of a thought is, in itself, neither evil nor good, but rather a test of our free will. Whoever adheres to the commandment will be rewarded with the crown (of victory) as a reward for his faith. Whoever tends to laxity is reveals himself as deserving of judgment as the reward for his unbelief. However, you must know that we are not judged immediately for every action, whether it makes us appear to be doing well or worthy of rebuke. Rather, only when we have completed our whole life — during which we are tempted in our thoughts, being at times victorious and at other times defeated, falling and rising, losing our way and returning to it — … All of this together is what we are held accountable for when we leave this life, and accordingly are we either judged or justified.”

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volumes 1 and 2, Books 1–7. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.