Baptism

[Seamus]

I've learned that at baptism in the Orthodox Church, you are granted power to resist tempation. If that's the case, what are people outside the Church, or even those who are hoping to eventually convert to Orthodoxy supposed to do when they get tempted?
God Bless†

[PeterTheAleut]

I've learned that at baptism in the Orthodox Church, you are granted power to resist tempation.

This is not an exclusive statement that says that baptism is the ONLY way God gives grace to resist temptation.

If that's the case, what are people outside the Church, or even those who are hoping to eventually convert to Orthodoxy supposed to do when they get tempted?

Rely on the strength God gives them apart from the sacramental life of the Church.  It may not be as much or as full as what the Orthodox receive in Baptism, Chrismation, the Eucharist, and the other sacramental Mysteries, but it is something.  Remember, God wills that ALL should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).  Do you think He's going to restrict Himself to the sacraments He has established for us when He desires that ALL should be saved?

[EofK]

Personally, I find the threat of having to go to confession a powerful way to resist temptation.     Confession is great and needed frequently but it sure scares the heck out of me.

[Seamus]

Personally, I find the threat of having to go to confession a powerful way to resist temptation.     Confession is great and needed frequently but it sure scares the heck out of me.

But non-Orthodox can't go to confession.

And I thought it might be somewhat scary. Some say it is, others say it's not. I know I'll be nervous, at least for the first time.

[EofK]

In truth, it's not as bad as I think it will be.  Every time I've gone, I've dreaded it up until I get there and start my confession and then I feel like I've stripped a ton of weight off afterward.  I always think of the character of Eustace from The Chronicles of Narnia... he got himself turned into a dragon and once he repented of his selfishness and greed, Aslan gave him a good scratch and the scaly dragon hide peeled away to reveal the boy inside.  It's a great picture of confession and repentance.  (I believe that was in The Dawn Treader.)

[Marc Hanna]

Pray to God.

Confess in your prayers about your sins and temptations then ask Him for the strength to resist temptation and ask Him to take away your temptation.

God bless.

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