---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The passions, moreover, become good in…"
description: "\"“The passions, moreover, become good in those who are spiritually earnest once they have wisely separated them from corporeal objects and used them to ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/john-behr-64123_character_the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-tho_470356.jpg"
---

#  The passions, moreover, become good in those who are…

![“The passions, moreover, become good in those who are spiritually earnest once they have wisely separated them from corporeal objects and used them to gain possession of heavenly things. For instance, they can turn desire (ἐπιθυμία) into the appetitive movement of the mind’s longing for divine…” quote by John Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/john-behr-64123_character_the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-tho_470356.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/john-behr-64123_character_the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-tho_470356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/john-behr-64123_character_the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-tho_470356.jpg)

> ““The passions, moreover, become good in those who are spiritually earnest once they have wisely separated them from corporeal objects and used them to gain possession of heavenly things. For instance, they can turn desire (ἐπιθυμία) into the appetitive movement of the mind’s longing for divine things, or pleasure (ἡδονή) into the unadulterated joy of the mind when enticed toward divine gifts, or fear (φόβος) into cautious concern for imminent punishment for sins committed, or grief (λύπη) into corrective repentance of a present evil. In short, we can compare this with the wise physicians who remove the existing or festering infection of the body using the poisonous beast, the viper. \[49\] The spiritually earnest use the passions to destroy a present or anticipated evil, and to embrace and hold to virtue and knowledge.4 Thus, as I have already suggested, the passions become good when they are used by those who take every thought captive in order to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5).5””

[John Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-behr/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Passions can be transformed into virtuous forces when directed toward divine goals, similar to using a poison to cure illness.

**In simple terms:** Passions become good when used for spiritual good.

Key Takeaway

Redirect emotions toward higher purpose.

Themes

spirituality ethics transformation virtue

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

theological inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal prayer
- ethical decision making
- spiritual counseling
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

theology philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you identify which passions need redirection?
- What practices help sustain spiritual earnestness?

A Different Perspective

Such transformation may be difficult without deep self‑knowledge and discipline.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passions/) [Passions Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passions-good-2700550/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Spiritually Earnest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritually-earnest-4067391/) [Suggested Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggested-passions-4067390/) [Use Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-passions-4067389/)

## Related quotes

> [We use up in the passions the stuff that was given us for happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/we-use-up-in-the-passions-the-stuff-that-was-given-us-for-happiness/)

[Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/)

> [Is the devil to have all the passions as well as all the good tunes?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/is-the-devil-to-have-all-the-passions-as-well-as-all-the-good-tunes/)

[George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/)

> [“You don’t need a huge number of people with little passions to get a good job done. You rather need few people with huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/you-don-t-need-a-huge-number-of-people-with-little-passions-to-get-a/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [Who then is free? The wise who can command his passions, who fears not want, nor death, nor chains, firmly resisting his appetites and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/who-then-is-free-the-wise-who-can-command-his-passions-who-fears-not/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [None can be free who is a slave to, and ruled by, his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/none-can-be-free-who-is-a-slave-to-and-ruled-by-his-passions/)

[Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/)

> [“…finally I see that it’s never been me, just a blanket that keeps you warm. Easily tossed along when something flashier or someone prettier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/finally-i-see-that-it-s-never-been-me-just-a-blanket-that-keeps-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [My passions are the grapes that I tread out for mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-adle/my-passions-are-the-grapes-that-i-tread-out-for-mankind/)

[Alfred Adle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-adle/)

> [Working with other artists and sharing your passions is great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leona-lewis/working-with-other-artists-and-sharing-your-passions-is-great/)

[Leona Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leona-lewis/)

> [Sam loved to listen to music and make his own songs, to wear soft velvets, to play in the castle kitchen beside the cooks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sam-loved-to-listen-to-music-and-make-his-own-songs-to-wear-soft/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“You know, people start things for different reasons. But ultimately it turns into pure passion and one becomes insatiate. There is no end once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhaidev/you-know-people-start-things-for-different-reasons-but-ultimately-it/)

[Abhaidev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhaidev/)

> [“When we are passionate about God, we can trust our passions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-raphael-mcmanus/when-we-are-passionate-about-god-we-can-trust-our-passions/)

[Erwin Raphael McManus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-raphael-mcmanus/)

> [In tragic life, God wot, No villain need be! Passions spin the plot: We are betrayed by what is false within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-meredith/in-tragic-life-god-wot-no-villain-need-be-passions-spin-the-plot-we/)

[George Meredith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-meredith/)

> [In music the passions enjoy themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-music-the-passions-enjoy-themselves/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [The life of a good man was a continual warfare with his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-richardson/the-life-of-a-good-man-was-a-continual-warfare-with-his-passions/)

[Samuel Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-richardson/)

> [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

## More by John Behr

> [“As Maximus further concludes, the three laws exhibit the principal ends to which human nature is called: the natural law grants us the fundamental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/as-maximus-further-concludes-the-three-laws-exhibit-the-principal/)

[John Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-behr/)

> [“Maximus the Confessor (580–662) lived, historically and to some extent geographically, betwixt and between. Historically, he lived in the indefinite transition between “early” and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/maximus-the-confessor-580-662-lived-historically-and-to-some-extent/)

[John Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-behr/)

> [“As Maximus explains in Ad Thalassium 64, each law has its own proper discipline (ἀγωγή) and its own place within the gospel of Jesus.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/as-maximus-explains-in-ad-thalassium-64-each-law-has-its-own-proper/)

[John Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-behr/)

> [ “Q. \[69\] If, as St John says, he who is born of God does not sin, because his seed dwells in God, and he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/q-69-if-as-st-john-says-he-who-is-born-of-god-does-not-sin-because/)

[John Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-behr/)

[Explore all 5 John Behr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-behr/)

## More Character quotes

> [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/)

[Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/)

[David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/)

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/)

[Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/)

[Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/)

[Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The passions, moreover, become good in those who are spiritually earnest once they have wisely separated them from corporeal objects and used them to gain possession of heavenly things. For instance, they can turn desire (ἐπιθυμία) into the appetitive movement of the mind’s longing for divine things, or pleasure (ἡδονή) into the unadulterated joy of the mind when enticed toward divine gifts, or fear (φόβος) into cautious concern for imminent punishment for sins committed, or grief (λύπη) into corrective repentance of a present evil. In short, we can compare this with the wise physicians who remove the existing or festering infection of the body using the poisonous beast, the viper. [49] The spiritually earnest use the passions to destroy a present or anticipated evil, and to embrace and hold to virtue and knowledge.4 Thus, as I have already suggested, the passions become good when they are used by those who take every thought captive in order to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5).5”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Behr"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-those-who-are-spiritually/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Character"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-those-who-are-spiritually/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/john-behr-64123_character_the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-tho_470356.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/john-behr-64123_character_the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-tho_470356.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/john-behr-64123_character_the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-tho_470356.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The passions, moreover, become good in those who are spiritually earnest once they have wisely separated…” — John Behr",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John Behr",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-behr/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The passions, moreover, become good in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-those-who-are-spiritually/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-behr/the-passions-moreover-become-good-in-those-who-are-spiritually/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```