Innocence in Misunderstanding Temptation’s Paradoxes

Paradoxically, coming to understand temptation is one element in the humbling yet empowering recognition process of self through virtues earned in discourse. Without the discourse, this value is lost, however, because all must be funnelled through it for growth of emboldened progressive virtues. This process is lost for the majority when the youth of society are raised drowning in the bloody waters of temptation; inculcating and reinforcing errors ultimately ending with predation. The adult is faced with the decision of ease and disease or integrity and spiritual wealth; gross comfort or empowered courage; mired selfishness or admired selflessness. These choices, though fraught with difficulty, are what define us as moral beings.

Consider the story of Sisyphus, the mythic figure condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only for it to tumble back down each time he succeeds. In this tale, we find a profound truth: progress is not about reaching the summit but about the act of progressing in itself for itself; so that we embody progress rather than error. It is recognising whatever Good possible in whatever situation. The boulder itself represents the trials of life and temptations that test our resolve. Sisyphus’s virtue rests not in his ability to reach the top but in his unyielding determination to climb despite the ‘futility’ of his task, until it is recognised that without this he is not defined at all, and that this is who he is; there is no futility because all is measured and rendered beneficial by discourse generating impact in lessons upon our souls. Innocence has no part in Sisyphus becoming Sisyphus; innocence is in not understand this, that Sisyphus must become Sisyphus or nothing at all.

Innocence, then, is not a shield against temptation but a magical mirror that reflects our readiness to face it. A soul untouched by hardship may appear pure, but it is also yet ill prepared for the challenges that will come, for which progress itself is most beneficial in those moments. It is only through discourse of our experience, and greater understandings through the trials of action, progress, and opportunities, that we learn to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong; between what is virtuous and what is merely convenient or justified by desires outside God’s plan.