Hounded By Phantoms

Romans 7
14 ....I am carnal, sold under sin.

A man named Anthony, a pious Christian no doubt, who lived in the Fourth Century A.D., is notable for being one of the first Christian ascetics to attempt living in the desert, completely cut off from civilization, dedicating his life to God alone. He is considered a saint by some. According to Athanasius, another no doubt pious Christian of the time, the devil fought Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women. Tradition has it that Anthony overcame his temptations using the power of prayer.

I am interested in Christian history. I find myself fascinated by righteousness, sacrifice, Christian piety, humility without consideration of possible, eventual personal blessing or gain, Godliness for Godliness sake.  Is it possible? Is it conceivable? I have no final, neat answers to those questions.  They are questions about the essence of man.   Although, my sense is that Paul provides, in Romans, God's last and final word on righteous, piety and humility.

More From Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death