“God has placed a power in man’s soul. But it is up to him how he channels it —- for good or for evil. If we imagine the good as a garden full of flowers, trees and plants and the evil as weeds and thorns and the power as water, then what can happen is as follows: When the water is directed towards the flower garden, then all the plants grow, blossom and bear fruit and at the same time the weeds and thorns, because they are not being watered, wither and die. And the opposite, of course, can also happen.
It is not necessary, therefore, to concern yourselves with the weeds. Don’t occupy yourself with rooting out evil. Christ does not wish us to occupy ourselves with he passions, but with the opposite. Channel the water, that is, all the strength of your soul to the flowers, and you will enjoy their beauty, their fragrance and their freshness.
You won’t become saints by hounding after evil. Ignore evil. Look towards Christ and He will save you.”
~Saint Porphyrios, Wounded by Love, p. 135