Thought

The stronger the soul and flesh the more fruitful the struggle and the richer the final harmony. God does not abide weak souls and flabby flesh. The Spirit wants to have to wrestle with flesh which is strong and full of resistance. It is a carnivorous bird which is incessantly hungry; it eats flesh and by assimilating it, makes it disappear. Struggle between the flesh and spirit, rebellion and resistance, reconciliation and submission, and finally-the supreme purpose of the struggle-union with God...
The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis