In the medieval Latin tradition of the seven deadly sins, acedia has generally been understood as the sin of sloth. It involves a variety of psychological states, primarily laziness, ennui, or boredom. More recently, it has been connected to depression. It is the “noonday demon” that attacks the believer when the sun is at its highest and the heat unbearably oppressive. It drains a person of energy and life. In the spiritual life, acedia paralyzes the natural functions of the soul, such that prayer life is neglected, ultimately leading to spiritual death and sometimes even suicide.

Extreme despair drove Judas Iscariot to hang himself, after betraying Our Lord. St. Peter, on the other hand, wept and repented after denying Our Lord three times. Both men sinned against God, but they had very opposite reactions to their grave offenses. Judas committed another sin by believing that he was absolutely damned and he challenged God’s infinite capacity for forgiveness. St. Peter, after repenting and asking for the Lord’s forgiveness, went on to become the first Pope of the true Church.

Ephesians 6:12 states that we wrestle against spiritual forces of evil. This means we are involved in spiritual warfare against demonic agencies that are seeking to destroy us through passions and mental disorders. There are weapons and therapies that may be used against these evil powers and our disordered desires. Start by putting on the Armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6. Persevere in faith and trust that Our Lord will protect His children, as promised in Psalm 91. Be patient with yourself. Keep working and praying. Our Lord has conquered the world, and He will help us defeat acedia.