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Imitation of Christ,
by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 13
Of Resisting Temptations
As long as we live in this world, we cannot be without temptations and
tribulations. Hence it is written in Job "Man's life on earth is a temptation."
Everyone therefore should be solicitous about his temptations and watch in
prayer lest the devil find an opportunity to catch him: who never sleeps,
but goes about, seeking whom he can devour. No one is so perfect and holy
as sometimes not to have temptations and we can never be wholly free from
them. Nevertheless, temptations are very profitable to man, troublesome and
grievous though they may be, for in them, a man is humbled, purified and
instructed. All the Saints passed through many tribulations and temptations
and were purified by them. And they that could not support temptations, became
reprobate, and fell away.
Many seek to flee temptations, and fall worse into them. We cannot conquer
by flight alone, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than
all our enemies. He who only declines them outwardly, and does not pluck
out their root, will profit little; nay, temptations will sooner return and
he will find himself in a worse condition. By degrees and by patience you
will, by God's grace, better overcome them than by harshness and your own
importunity. Take council the oftener in temptation, and do not deal harshly
with one who is tempted; but pour in consolation, as thou wouldst wish to
be done unto yourself. Inconstancy of mind and little confidence in God,
is the beginning of all temptations. For as a ship without a helm is driven
to and fro by the waves, so the man who neglects and gives up his resolutions
is tempted in many ways.
Prayers
for the 12-Day Preparatory Period |
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