Do The Right Thing
Virtue is a huge topic. It could fill volumes of books, and still there would be more to say. My goal here, which is a bit more manageable, is to focus on how virtue helps us fight the spiritual battle.
Let's start with a definition. Virtue is a consistent disposition of character that inclines a person to good acts.
In other words, virtue is when we consistently behave in a positive way that is demonstrated through our behavior. We do the right thing.
When you imagine a person with high moral character, that person is virtuous. Think about someone you know who fits that description. What is it about them that leads you to that conclusion? What traits do they have? Some that come to mind for me are integrity – I can trust them. Authenticity – They are who they are. Honor – They fight for what is right. Faithfulness – They keep their word. Humility – They don't need to be the star.
Jesus taught the apostles about virtue, although He didn't use that word. He said, Let your yes mean yes, take the lowest seat at the table, treat others with dignity no matter their station in life. He was teaching them to have a consistent disposition of character that would incline them to good acts. Virtue.
Why does virtue matter for Christians? Because it unites us with God. The closer we get to God, the less power the devil has in our lives. If there is an area of vice in my life, I have to root it out because it makes me prey to specific spiritual attacks. It becomes my weak flank, and the devil will exploit that.
Each of the seven deadly sins has an opposing virtue, and if you struggle with one of those sins, you want to pursue the opposite virtue. It's one thing to get rid of sin. It's another to cultivate the opposing virtue. You don't dwell on the sin, but strive for the virtue that will help you overcome. When you do that, virtue becomes a powerful spiritual weapon.
It is said that pride is the root of all evil. The corollary of that is that humility is the root of all virtue. Pride is egocentric. It's my way or the highway. Humility is God-centered. Let's look at the other deadly sins and how pride is at the root of each of them:
Envy: I deserve what they have. Anger: Why aren't things going the way I want them to go? Lust: I want them. They fill my needs. Gluttony: I want it—a lot of it. Sloth: I don't feel like it. I'm just not that into it. Greed: Mine. Mine. Mine. (Like the seagulls in Finding Nemo.) You can hear the ego in each of these vices. It's all about me and what I want. That's pride.
Of all the virtues, if we pursue humility, the others will follow. It's the antidote to pride. Do we understand the true meaning of humility? It isn't putting ourselves down or dismissing our God-given gifts. It doesn't mean we are a doormat. Jesus was meek and humble of heart, but nobody would describe Him as a pushover or weak. Humility means acknowledging our littleness while at the same time knowing that we are precious to God. St. Francis de Sales put it this way: "We are like the donkey whose master, when he wishes to, loads with treasures of great value." There are many great Catholic resources on humility that can help you grow in that most crucial virtue.
Let's assume that you're working on humility. That's great. But it may not be enough. Sometimes we have to work on removing serious sin. Humility is an element of that, but there's more. If I struggle with greed, I am like the wealthy man Jesus described, who had so much stuff he had to build a new barn to hold it all.To root out this sin, I might slowly get rid of things and try to notice when another person is in need. I have to forget about myself and focus on others. I grow in humility as I overcome the vice of greed by looking at the needs of others more than my own wants.
Am I battle-ready?
The question is not, Am I virtuous? If we answer yes to that, we may have an issue with pride. Many of the greatest saints considered themselves the worst of sinners. Humility allows us to see ourselves as we are, in light of the glory of God. We are aware that all we have is from Him. I am the donkey, not the grand stallion or the majestic lion.
We are battle-ready when we actively cultivate virtue as a daily habit. We continuously try to improve our character. The weapon is active, ready for battle, when we see the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
In a similar way, when you see the fruits of the enemy, the weapon is not active. Those fruits include hate, despair, anxiety, impatience, anger, infidelity, harshness, and self-indulgence. If those fruits are present, the devil is active. He is on the attack.
If you aren't battle-ready with virtue, meaning you have rotten fruit, there is work to be done. Prayerfully consider questions to grow in self-knowledge so you can create a battle plan. What is the rotten fruit? What sins of pride fertilized that fruit? What is keeping you from overcoming the vice and growing in the virtue? What practical steps can you take each day to cultivate the virtue? How will this virtue bring you closer to God?
How can I stay battle-ready?
Just because I get on the right train doesn't mean I'm going to stay there. You may know people who overcame an addiction and did great for a while, but later fell. We have to realize that we aren't strong enough to maintain without God's grace, and without staying close to God.
Three things we can do to remain battle-ready with virtue are:
-
Learn the true meaning of each virtue. The devil will try to confuse us, and we have to know the truth. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote about them, as did many other saints. Find a good resource and study. A good resource is one that is clear and challenges you to grow in holiness.
-
Pray with each of the virtues and ask God to reveal to you how you're doing. You might take a week for each one, pondering the ways you live that virtue and the challenges you face with it. Then choose the hardest one and focus on that until you see progress.
-
Do a daily Examen. This is a short prayer exercise where you review your day in light of a specific virtue. Where did you see it, and where was it absent? What resolution can you make for tomorrow regarding that virtue?
Virtue matters in the spiritual battle. The more I grow in virtue, the closer I get to God. The closer I get to God, the less effective the devil is in my life. God's power is in me, and the devil cannot overcome it.
The impact of virtue
Colossians 1:10 tells us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Virtue is the answer.
When we grow in virtue…
We are more likeable, easier to get along with. We bless others rather than creating stress for them.
We inspire others to change. We give them hope that they too can be different. One of my directees told me that she chose me because she saw the same flaws in herself that she saw in me, and if I had overcome some of those flaws, maybe there was hope for her, too.
We can carry our crosses more easily. We will always have a cross to bear. Jesus was very clear about that. We can carry it with drama or with grace. The more virtue we have, the more fruit will be borne from our cross. There will be no fruitless suffering.
We can become guides for others. Addicts look for sponsors who have kicked the habit. That's who can show them the way to sobriety. When we overcome vice and grow in virtue, we can show others how to surrender to God so He can help them, too.
When we are guides, God is using us to bless others. We become the hands, feet, mouth, and ears of Jesus. God chooses us, as insignificant and broken as we are, to serve others, and in the end, we ourselves are blessed.
Finally, and most importantly, at least when it comes to the spiritual battle, the devil has a much smaller target. When the attack comes, we know that God will prevail. We put all our confidence in Him, our Almighty God. By His grace, we can do the right thing.
Questions for prayer:
-
In what ways have you grown in virtue as your faith has matured? How did that happen?
-
Which virtue, if stronger, would help you better fight the specific spiritual attacks in your life?