92. How to Overcome Sinful Passions | Thirty Steps to Heaven | The Ladder of Divine Ascent

92. How to Overcome Sinful Passions | Thirty Steps to Heaven | The Ladder of Divine Ascent

In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, Michaela Nikolaenko takes you on a journey to explore how overcoming sinful passions can lead to a life of holiness. Drawing from the spiritual manual Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou, Michaela discusses the internal spiritual battle we all face. The episode focuses on fighting against pride, anger, and lust, while embracing virtues like humility, patience, and chastity.

Michaela shares her personal experiences, highlighting her transition from a life of substance abuse and New Age beliefs to embracing Christian values and traditions. Michaela introduces the concept of spiritual warfare as an internal struggle rather than an external one, emphasising that the true battle lies in transforming disordered desires into good ones. She reflects on her journey through Orthodox Great Lent and the insights gained from the book recommended by her priest.

The episode explores how passions, which start as thoughts, can become sins if acted upon, and how the process of sanctification—or theosis in Eastern tradition—requires a lifelong commitment to repentance, fasting, prayer, and grace. Listeners are encouraged to consider what they fill their hearts with, and Michaela invites them to walk alongside her in cultivating virtues that leave no room for darkness.

With a blend of personal anecdotes and broader reflections, Michaela's storytelling offers a compassionate perspective on overcoming life's challenges. So if you're ready to tackle your own spiritual battles and embrace the light, this episode might just be your guiding star.