Things are outside the intellect, but the conceptual images of these things are formed within it. It is consequently in the intellect's power to make good or bad use of these conceptual images. There wrong us is followed by the misuse of the things themselves. (Maximos the Confessor)

It is not the things - the material world or the objects of passion - that are bad in themselves. It is how my intellect chooses to conceive such things that determines good or bad.

When my conceptual understanding focuses on how such things have value (or not) to me, I am misconceiving and further fracturing reality.

But if I can fully conceive - and appreciate - how such things have value in themselves, I am cultivating a real relationship.