"Many try to fly away from temptations
only to fall more deeply into them; for you cannot win a battle by mere flight.
It is only by patience and humility that you will be strengthened against the
enemy. Those who shun them outwardly and do not pull them out by the roots will
make no progress; for temptations will soon return to harass them and they will
be in a worse state. It is only gradually—with patience and endurance and with
God's grace—that you will overcome temptations sooner than by your own efforts
and anxieties . . . Gold is tried by fire and the upright person by temptation.
Often we do not know what we can do until temptation shows us what we are . . .
This is how temptation is: first we have a thought, followed by strong
imaginings, then the pleasure and evil emotions, and finally consent. This is
how the enemy gains full admittance, because he was not resisted at the outset.
The slower we are to resist, the weaker we daily become and the stronger the
enemy is against us."
— Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ, p. 32-33
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