Most of us have had viruses infect and crash our computers. Many of those viruses come into systems when the operator is beguiled into accessing a new site, one that frequently claims to provide protection against the very viruses they carry.
In our own operating systems, sin, often masked as some sort of “help”, is trying to get in. Our senses, like the gateways of our computers, provide opportunities for sin every day. Our mind decides whether or not they should get in. Once there, their true nature emerges.
When we believe a lie, for instance, the lie does not just sit there in the memory. It seeks out every opportunity to corrupt and destroy other areas of our mind as frequently as it can. Simply downloading a simple lie, like “A little fling never hurt anyone.” spreads throughout our mind to introduce relativity to other thought processes. Soon, objective reality, which includes He Who programmed our minds with the freedom to make such choices, is gone.
When the highest reality, that God loves us and wants us to save our souls, is erased, the person is left with whatever can provide the most temporary profit, pleasure, or other distraction. This quickly sinks into focusing on what feels best. Soon, the poor soul is so mired in error, and it’s spirit has lost the ability to analyze correctly, that it may be lost.
Such losses are not necessarily permanent. Just as the viruses may be cleaned from a computer, the human mind and soul can regain connection with He Who lovingly programmed it. That requires realigning the soul, spirit, and mind with The Programmer, Program, and Holy Wireless Connector. Removing sin and error is the spiritual equivalent of cleaning viruses from a corrupted computer, which is to say it’s possible, but often very difficult.
It’s hard because lies are alive. They are living spirits. Their mission, of human destruction, is the very essence of their beings. Unlike the mechanical process of cleaning a computer’s files and storage, the lies we try to get rid of fight back with more lies, accompanied by fear.
Saving, or regaining, our soul by rejecting lies and sin is much more challenging than getting viruses wiped from our computer. We have to wage a continual war against our senses and desires to grow closer to He Who made us and saved us. But, as St. Columban said, “Without a battle, there is no victory. Without a victory, there is no crown.”
