behavior modifiers

Animals have traits that are specific for them. For instance, they can have sexual relationships in the view of everybody, and they do not care about it. They do not use a toilet, and their manners are inexistent while eating. The difference between man and animals is that man is behaving with dignity only when his sexual relationships are limited within the limits of marriage, when eating is done according to rules, or when they use the toilet in a civilized manner.

In Greek mythology Odysseus had a love affair with Circe, the witch. She wanted Odysseus just for herself, and she transformed his colleagues that engaged in promiscuity and alcohol into pigs. The story bears a deeper level of meaning. People who indulge in the use of alcohol have their manners altered in a way that transforms them in different persons, of lower species. In other words, those whose attitude in normal conditions is full of dignity, influenced by alcohol they loose their good manners and are capable of behaving in ways that resemble that of the animals. 

substances and thoughts

It is well known by people of all grown-up ages that behavior can be strongly influenced not just by alcohol, but also by drugs, or triggers that influence undignified sexual behavior.

We need to realize that human behavior can be also modified even by thoughts. We can imagine that we could become happier by pursuing certain goals. We see that some pursue businesses, hoping that by getting rich would bring them fulfillment. Others hope that by indulging in promiscuity would make them happy. And probably by crossing the lines imposed by the marital relationship they can have certain short lived paroxistic moments, giving the impression that they are enjoying true life.

Life is offering a wide range of offers of all kinds, and people can get distracted by this richness. People will involve in different long or short projects that are not wrong intrinsically. Selling their homes every few years hoping to find happiness in a newer and bigger one is not wrong in itself. What is wrong is that their attention is distracted from the things that really matter – the development of the marital relationship, the children’s education, personal spiritual edification, involvement in helping the others – to projects that are sinful because they reduce concentration of the listed goals. 

When we sin, we are drawn to imaginary things, but the chains that are tying us are real. We feel the sensations, which keep us bound to our fantasies. What we need is making our thoughts realistic and responsible, clarifying our main goals and stay on the track of achieving them. It is only by the strong grace of God that we can receive the clarity and strength to follow the path, and keeping us and our families and close friends safe. A great goal should be to do our best to make them all feel safe, and not let them down.

Obviously, if you know about yourself that you have weaknesses that could lead to situations that make you sin, you should try to the best of your abilities to avoid them.