Concupiscence And Being A New Creation

[MStar]

What is concupiscence? Is it the idea that we are drawn to sin? How is this compatible with our understanding of having a new nature, and being dead to the flesh because we live in the Spirit? A non-Catholic friend mentioned to me that the way he understood it, it takes away from the belief that we have been given new natures by our baptism, especially since Romans 7 and 8 talk about our old nature being crucified with Christ and the fact that we are "dead to what held us captive" (Rom. 7:6). He believes that only the devil tempts us to sin and when we sin we listen to the devil. He thinks it is a cop-out to say that we are just prone to sinning (like it's some kind of excuse - "oh, it's just human nature").

[MStar]

No one? Does my question make sense? What is concupiscence?

[kafka]

[quote name='MStar' date='13 October 2009 - 09:07 PM' timestamp='1255482476' post='1984871']
What is concupiscence? Is it the idea that we are drawn to sin? How is this compatible with our understanding of having a new nature, and being dead to the flesh because we live in the Spirit? A non-Catholic friend mentioned to me that the way he understood it, it takes away from the belief that we have been given new natures by our baptism, especially since Romans 7 and 8 talk about our old nature being crucified with Christ and the fact that we are "dead to what held us captive" (Rom. 7:6). He believes that only the devil tempts us to sin and when we sin we listen to the devil. He thinks it is a cop-out to say that we are just prone to sinning (like it's some kind of excuse - "oh, it's just human nature").
[/quote]
concupiscence are the 'left over' effects of original sin in the body as well as soul (since our souls are connected to our bodies to make up one human nature). These effects are called tendencies since they incline us toward sinful actions.

They are also an imperfection of human nature hence we often like to refer to our 'fallen state.' In the broad sense of the term, they are 'evil' since they are a lack of fullness or goodness in the body and soul.

Concupiscence will be with us all our lives. They cannot be completely eradicated in this life because only the soul is reborn in the the grace of Christ via baptism and not the body. They can be conquered (dead to the flesh) to a certain degree by the state of sanctifying grace whereby we are filled with the Holy Spirit, as well as by prayer, self-denial and works of mercy.

The resurrected bodies of the just which are created directly by God at the general resurrection are perfect, good (in the strict sense) and free of concupiscence.

So, we begin to become New Men in this life through baptism, we sustain our state of grace and conquer concupiscence by prayer, self-denial and works of mercy, and God completes our rebirth at the general resurrection when He gives us our new bodies.

Edited October 23, 2009 by kafka

[kafka]

[quote name='MStar' date='13 October 2009 - 09:07 PM' timestamp='1255482476' post='1984871']
A non-Catholic friend mentioned to me that the way he understood it, it takes away from the belief that we have been given new natures by our baptism, especially since Romans 7 and 8 talk about our old nature being crucified with Christ and the fact that we are "dead to what held us captive" (Rom. 7:6). He believes that only the devil tempts us to sin and when we sin we listen to the devil. He thinks it is a cop-out to say that we are just prone to sinning (like it's some kind of excuse - "oh, it's just human nature").
[/quote]
A couple more random thoughts:

~ renouncing and battling against the evil of concupiscence in one's body is the Cross. It is also the Cross to fight the evil influences of the world and of the fallen angels however notice the proximaty of these three hindrances to holiness:

Concupiscence (in the body)
The World
The Devil

We are with our bodies 24/7 so concupiscence is a continual battle.
We are not always influenced by the world since we spend time alone and with our families, and we can control the bad influences of the world in many ways.
Finally God only permits the fallen angels to tempt us on occasion. If God let the fallen angels roam freely they would quickly destroy men since angelic nature is much more powerful than human nature.

So I think your friend is wrong maybe quote this from Saint Paul:

{7:14} For we know that the law is spiritual. But I am carnal, having been sold under sin.
{7:15} For I do things that I do not understand. For I do not do the good that I want to do. But the evil that I hate is what I do.
{7:16} So, when I do what I do not want to do, I am in agreement with the law, that the law is good.
{7:17} But I am then acting not according to the law, but according to the sin which lives within me.
{7:18} For I know that what is good does not live within me, that is, within my flesh. For the willingness to do good lies close to me, but the carrying out of that good, I cannot reach.
{7:19} For I do not do the good that I want to do. But instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do.
{7:20} Now if I do what I am not willing to do, it is no longer I who am doing it, but the sin which lives within me.
{7:21} And so, I discover the law, by wanting to do good within myself, though evil lies close beside me.
{7:22} For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inner man.
{7:23} But I perceive another law within my body, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me with the law of sin which is in my body.
{7:24} Unhappy man that I am, who will free me from this body of death?
{7:25} The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord! Therefore, I serve the law of God with my own mind; but with the flesh, the law of sin.

~ this whole passage refers to concupiscence Paul uses the term sin to refer to them since they come from original sin.

[MithLuin]

JPII had a lot to say on this subject in his audiences on the theology of the body. So, if you are interested, check that out! EWTN has the complete collection in the library on their website, or the book 'Man and Woman He Created Them".