Of resisting temptations
OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Book I For then do we the more seek God for our inward witness, when outwardly we are slighted by men and incur discredit.
2. Therefore ought a man to establish himself so firmly in God that he has no need to seek many human consolations.
When a man of good will is afilicted or tempted or troubled with evil thoughts, then he understands better the great need he has of God; for he realizes that he can do no good without Him.
Then also he sighs and prays, by reason of the miseries he suffers.
Then is he weary of living longer, and wishes death to come, that he may be dissolved and be with Christ.^
Then also he well perceives that perfect security and full peace cannot be found in this world.
CHAPTER 13
OF RESISTING TEMPTATIONS
As long as we live in this world, we cannot be without trial and temptation.
Hence is it written in Job: Man's life on earth is temptation.* Every one, therefore, should be solicitous about his temptations, and watch in prayer," lest the devil find an opportunity to entrap him; for Satan never sleeps, but goes about, seeking whom he may devour.* No one is so perfect and holy as not sometimes to have temptations; we can never be wholly free from them.
Nevertheless, temptations are often very profitable to us, troublesome and grievous though they be; for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed.
All the Saints passed through many tribulations * and temptations, and profited by them.
And they that could not endure temptations, became reprobate and fell away.
There is no order so holy nor place so retired that it is without temptations or adversities.
3. A man is never wholly secure from temptation as long as he lives; for since we were born with concupiscence, we have within us the source of temptation.
When one temptation or tribulation is over, another comes iPhiUppians i, 23.
*Job vii, 1.
8 1 Peter iv, 7.
* 1 Peter v, 8.
5 Acts xiv, 21.
Chapter 13 resisting temptation
on, and we shall always have something to suffer; for we have lost the blessing of our original felicity.
Many seek to fly temptations, and fall the more grievously into them.
By flight alone we cannot overcome; but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies.
4. He who only shuns them outwardly, and does not pluck out their roots, will profit little; nay, temptations will the sooner return, and he will find himself in a worse case than before.
Little by little, with long-suffering patience and God's help, you will overcome them better than by any force or violence of your own.
Take counsel the oftener in time of temptation, and do not for your part deal harshly with another when he is tempted.
On the contrary, minister consolation, even as you would wish to be treated yourself.
All evil temptations take their beginning in fickleness of mind and lack of trust in God.
Just as a ship without a rudder is driven to and fro by the waves, so the careless and fickle man is variously tempted.
Fire tries iron and temptation a just man.
We often do not know what we can do; but temptation makes plain what we are.
We must be especially on our guard at the beginning of temptation. For the enemy is more easily overcome if at the start he be not suffered to pass the door of the mind. Let him be met outside, on the threshold, at the very moment he knocks.
Whence it has been said:
Resist beginnings; all too late the cure, When ills have gathered strength by long delay.*
For first there comes into the mind a simple thought; then grows a vivid imagination; afterwards follow delectation, evil impulse, consent.
And so, by little and little, the malignant foe gains full entrance, when he is not resisted at the beginning.
And the longer any one has been slothful in resisting, so much the weaker he daily becomes in himself, and the enemy so much the stronger against him.
6. Some suffer heavier temptations in the beginning of their religious life, others in the end; and some there are who in a manner are troubled all their lifetime.
Some are quite lightly tempted, according to the wisdom and equity of the ordinance of God, who weighs man's condition and merits, and preordains aU things for the salvation of His elect.
* Ovid, Remedia Amoris i, 91.