Author's Name:	Maria Imelda Pastrana Nabor
Subject Area:	Social Science and Humanities
Subject	Other
Section	Research Paper

shady loves, concupiscence, sexual abuse, sexuality, virtues

This research study was conducted through personal one on one conversation and immersion. There are 50 respondents, all students from Aklan State University-Philippines. This study aims to analyze the experiences of the students shady loves that impels them to little by little behoove into a state of moral degeneration and their climactic awareness on transformation from carnals to spiritual. This study is an exploration of Augustine’s stages of conversion. St. John distinguishes three kinds of covetousness or concupiscence: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. The 9th commandment forbids carnal concupiscence. Concupiscence is about any intense form of human desire. It is the movement of the sensitive appetite contrary to the operation of the human reason. St. Paul identifies it with the rebellion of the flesh against the spirit. Concupiscence stems from the disobedience of the first sin. It unsettles man’s moral faculties. It inclines man to commit sin. Augustine ascribes all evil, both moral and natural, directly or indirectly to the unfavorable choices of free rational beings. Free will is the cause of our doing evil and that thy just judgment is the cause of our having to suffer from its consequences. The journey of the soul locates the biblical model of fallen mankind and then experiences metanoia, renewal or conversions. The stages of conversion, first, spiritual matter as formless and fluid (wandering thoughts); second, fiat lux – divine calling and grace to certain responsibility; third, disposition to accept the divine invitation (transformation from carnals to spirituals). It is the restoration of the image of God in the person. It is interiority with the mystery of Christ living in us. Conversion means allowing the mind of Christ to transform our mentality. The new mind allows us to discern the profound meaning of what is the will of God, what is good and right, what is the right thing to do and what is our destiny. Other elements of conversion includes the presence of the word and friends, the immediacy of the conversion, freedom (demanding constant turning to Christian life from death and decay, to life and freedom), metanoia, public profession, arising and returning, further action on the part of the converted, contrast between pride and humility, rejoicing and reaction of the convert.