Abstain Quote by Martin Luther
“Christ sayeth not, Abstain from the flesh, from marrying, from housekeeping, etc., as the Papists teach, for that were even to invite the devil and all his fellows to a feast.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: 1520s, Reformation pamphlet
Abstaining from worldly pleasures, as taught by some, invites evil; true piety rejects such strictures.
In simple terms: Worldly abstinence invites evil.
Key Takeaway
Reject harmful religious strictures.
Themes
religion
morality
reformation
Mood
critical
reformist
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church practices
- personal faith
- social reform
Key Concepts
theology
ethical critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines healthy religious practice?
- How to balance devotion and freedom?
A Different Perspective
Some find value in asceticism.
![“I acknowledge the Roman Church to be our mother church, although defiled with some infirmities and corruptions...Let [the Papists] assure themselves, that, as I am a friend of their persons, if they be good subjects, so am I a vowed enemy, and do denounce mortal war to their errors.” quote by King James I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd6/king-james-i-28174_acknowledge_i-acknowledge-the-roman-church-to-be-our_2552552.jpg)
