Look at the everlasting greatness of Pinchos, and the shame of Zimri. We all have a combination of strength and weakness, but when we learn this Parsha we are inspired to aim more and more in the direction of Pinchos. It seems that to be on such a Madrega of Kana'us, he must have been quite a Kadosh V’tahor, like it says: קְׁשֹוט עַצְמְךָ, וְאַחַר כְּךָ קְׁשֹוט אֲחֵרִים (fix yourself and then fix others).
#1 to admire and aspire to be a Pinchos is already a Madrega, instead of being Mya'esh on yourself. And then we need to respect every tiny Pe’ula (act) in the direction of purity. I know a Yungerman who counts every time he avoids looking at a woman or a suspected woman. Every morning, on the way from his house to Yeshiva, he can count 20 times, and he feels Gevaldig. He learns to be: ךְיִרֲעַּמ treasure his Shmiras Einayim which gives it much more Chashivus and Simcha Shel Mitzva.
The Novardokers in general had very little Avoda in this area, since their entire Avodas Hashem was always looking to go against their Ratzon, so automatically this area became easier, since it gave them loads of opportunities to go against their Ratzon. Someone saw R' Gershon Liebman Zatzal walking around as if he was looking for something. They asked him: רַבֵינוּ, מַה אַתָּה מְחַפֵש “Rabeinu, what are you looking for?” And he answered: אֲנִי מְחַפֵש ׁשְבִירַת הַמִדּוֹת ”I’m looking for an opportunity for Shviras HaMiddos”. Tikkun HaMiddos was like a favorite hobby. No wonder they were so Matzliach! They were like Rabbi Akiva who, when faced with the Nisayon of Arayos, remarked that they smelled terrible. He also laughed when he saw the tragedy of Churban Bais Hamikdash, while the other Tannaim cried.
