Sins occasioned by human weakness or impulsivity are qualitatively different from sins that are premeditated and more freely willed—what the Prophet Micah describes as planning iniquity and working out evil on their couches. As monks we are right to be distressed and lament our sins of weakness, but we should fear and be ever vigilant for those sins that we plan and work out on our couches. These latter sins which more fully incorporate our free will are often infused with malice and evil. For our sins of weakness, let us take heart knowing that the Lord will not crush the bruised reed, or quench the smoldering wick. However, sins of unrepentant malice and premeditation will bring on their own punishment. For these malicious sins the Lord plans an evil from which they shall not withdraw their necks—to quote Micah again. Therefore, with God’s grace let us strive valiantly against our human weakness in overcoming sin; otherwise our carelessness with sins of weakness will harden our hearts in evil so that we too will be planning iniquity and working out evil on our couches.
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