Beware of Eve's mistake. God told her not to eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, but she tells the serpent when questioned that God said "You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die."
It is important to not fall into a near occasion of sin. However at the same time we must not add to God's commands. If touching the fruit is a near occasion of sin, then we would be right to ban ourselves from it for a time, opening ourselves to God's healing that we may become rightly ordered. However we must not forget that God's command was to not eat it. This tree, like the rest of the trees in the garden, is to be cared for, can be climbed and admired, or used for its shade. Touching does not kill us if we rely on God and not ourselves.
When touching means death, it is only a matter of time before looking means death, and being means death, for it means that we no longer believe in God's love for us and His healing grace.
"Balance what you fear from yourself with hope in God" (Dom Scupoli).
The key to life then is to ban ourselves only for a time; a fasting which makes the soul more open to God and the movements of the Spirit within. For once you have developed the ability to listen to the Spirit's guidance, and your soul has been healed and rightly ordered, then you may abandon your crutches and walk with God.
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