How to be free from evil?

A man perpetrates a sin when he has pride of his own and a desire for sensual pleasure. Why does a man commit a sin even though he does not want to do so? Man commits a sin because he has a desire for sensual pleasures and accumulation of worldly wealth. As long as this desire continues, he will go on committing a sin. In spite of being careful he will commit an error. What is the method to root it out? The real method is penance from one's heart. The man who has committed the sin should first take oath never to commit such an error again and secondly stick to it. But if the man goes on committing sins after taking oath, he degrades himself. If the man sticks to the decision once taken, his inner sense will be purified. These two steps are very valuable to purify the inner sense and to root out sins. 

It should be kept in mind that man was created in the image of God with God's own breath. So the man is not a sinner himself, but becomes a sinner by having affinity with sensual pleasure. We read in several Books in the scripture,

Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them have complete authority...

[Genesis 1:26]

For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity.

[Wisdom of Solomon 2:23]

The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him back to it again. He gave them days by numbers and a set time, he gave them authority over things. He endued them with strength; and made them according to His own image.

[Sirach 17:1-3]

Pride and desire are two factors responsible for our degradation. This fact is always to be kept in mind. Eve in the garden of eden was tempted based on both pride and desire to become God like. Eve failed to remember that she was created in the image of God and she gave in to the temptation and sinned against God. The Book of Proverbs makes it very clear,

"When Pride comes, then comes dishonor and shame.

But with the humble, there is wisdom and soundness of mind."

[Proverb 11:2]

There cannot be anything more deceiving that this emotion of covetousness. Eve was deceived in this manner to become God by eating the forbidden fruit. This emotion of covetousness is an enemy of all humanity but it appears to be pleasant. Being engrossed in selfishness and being driven by stupidity men commit all kinds of sin which spoil their life on earth and also their after-life. There are two kinds of attachment that are deadly - worldly pleasure and accumulation of things for personal pleasure and possession. Each of these blinds a man's eye and leads him to sin. We need to remind ourselves of few things, "How long will the money and worldly possession stay with me?" "How long will I live?" The deadly sin committed will definitely bear its fruits. 

We enjoy worldly pleasure by doing forbidden actions and having a claim on others' possession. God has not bestowed upon us His image and likeness for such hideous sins. Also, such a person struck deeply in such sin cannot be relieved of worldly distresses. Being fascinated by this attachment, a man cannot escape sin. 

We need to remember examples from the scripture to help us escape sin. Joseph the king of Egypt, Job and Daniel suffered pain for the sake of righteousness. They did not give up righteousness and duty. Although they were tempted by people around them they never gave up their righteousness. Therefore it is necessary for a man not to lose patience. We need to have patience in greed, lust and anger etc. The momentum of temptation comes to an end and everything is set right when our mind is rooted deeply in God's Law and God's Will. Hence it is essential to God-conscious at all times. You may face the worst adversity like Job, even die of starvation but have firm determination not to do forbidden actions, injustice and sins. If you starve, the severest punishment may lead to you death, but if you sin you will enter hell for eternity.

Pride, anger and greed are the triple gates which lead to hell. If a man remembers God constantly and makes a firm determination never to commit a sin he will be in the path of righteousness. Remember that we can never hide anything from God. In the wisdom literature of Ecclesiastes we read,

Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], “I have no enjoyment and delight in them”;

 When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.  

For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.

[Ecclesiastes 12:1,13-14]