Conflict of Reasons
'The Lord Thy God shalt thou adore' - that is God's command given to man, but it is given to a free agent, to an agent free to give or to withhold obedience. The command is clear, it is reasonable, the servant cannot but admit its justice. Then come the temptation and the tempter. Have we not all experienced it in our temptations? It is right to obey, but it is hard, it is painful to flesh and blood. To disobey will be easy, pleasant - perhaps delightful. It is the voice of the tempter reasoning with man as he reasoned with Christ, bringing upon man's will the pressure of his own to compel consent; and the will is swayed this way and that, torn by these conflicting influences.
-Bampton, S.J.
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
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