What is wthin our power

It does not lie within our power to decide whether or not the passions are going to harass and attack the soul. But it does lie within our power, but it does lie within our power to prevent impassioned thoughts from arousing the passions into action. The first of these conditions is not sinful, inasmuch as it is outside our control; where the second is concerned, if we fight against the passions and overcome them we are rewarded, but we will be punished if because of laziness and cowardice we let them overcome us.

St. Theodorus the Great Ascetic