“Fire tries iron, and temptation tries a just person.
Often we do not know what we are able to do, but temptations show us what we are.
Yet we must be watchful, especially in the beginning of the temptation, for the enemy is more easily overcome in the beginning if he is not allowed to enter the door of our hearts, but is resisted outside the gate at the first knock.
Therefore someone said, ‘Withstand the beginnings, for later the remedy comes too late”.
For first a simple thought comes to the mind, then a strong imagination, followed by delight, an evil impulse, and then consent.
So when our wicked enemy is not resisted in the beginning, little by little he gets complete entrance.
And the longer we wait before resisting, the weaker we daily become in ourselves, and the stronger the enemy is against us.”
Thomas a`Kempis
The Imitation of Christ, updated by Harold J. Chadwick
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“O my crucified but never mortified sinfulness!
O my life-long damage and daily shame!
O my indwelling and besetting sins!
O the tormenting slavery of a sinful heart!
Destroy, O God, the dark guest within
whose hidden presence makes my life a hell.
Yet thou hast not left me here without grace;
The cross still stands and meets my needs
in the deepest straits of the soul.”
The Valley of Vision, 127
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No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)