Cleaving to God - Chapter 11
How one should resist temptations and bear trials
Now there is no one who approaches God with a true and upright heart who is not tested by hardships and temptations. So in all these temptations see to it that even if you feel them, you do not consent to them, but bear them patiently and calmly with humility and long suffering.
Even if they are blasphemies and sordid, hold firmly on to this fact in everything, that you can do nothing better or more effective against them than to consider all this sort of fantasy as a nothing. Even if they are the most vile, sordid and horrible blasphemies, simply take no notice of them, count them as nothing and despise them.
Don’t look on them as yours or allow yourself to make them a matter of conscience. The enemy will certainly take flight if you treat him and his company with contempt in this way. He is very proud and cannot bear to be despised and spurned. So the best remedy is to completely ignore all such temptations, like flies flying around in front of your eyes against your will.
The servant of Jesus Christ must see to it that he is not so easily forced to withdraw from the face of the Lord and to be annoyed, murmur and complain over the nuisance of a single fly, that is, a trivial temptation, suspicion, sadness, distraction, need or any such adversity, when they can all be put to flight with no more than the hand of a good will directed up to God. After all, through a good will a man has God as his defender, and the holy angels as his guardians and protectors. What is more, any temptation can be overcome by a good will too, like a fly driven away from a bald head by one’s hand. So peace is for men of good will.
Indeed we can offer God nothing more valuable than a good will, since a good will in the soul is the source of all good things, and the mother of all virtues. If any one is beginning to possess that good will, he undoubtedly has what is necessary for leading a good life. For if you want what is good, but cannot do it, God will make good the deed. For it is in accordance with this eternal law that God has established with irrevocable firmness that deserts should be a matter of the will, whether in bliss or torment, reward or punishment.
Love itself is a great will to serve God, a sweet desire to please God, and a fervent wish to experience God. What is more, to be tempted is not a sin, but the opportunity for exercising virtue, so that temptation can be greatly to a man’s benefit, since it is held that the whole of a man’s life on earth is a testing. (Job 7.1)
A Prayer of Reflection to Embrace Trials and Temptations
O God, in the depths of our hearts, we seek to approach You with truth and righteousness. Yet, we understand that trials and temptations will test us along this journey of faith. Grant us the strength and wisdom to face these challenges, that we may not be swayed by their allure.
In times of temptation, may we not give in to their seduction but bear them patiently and calmly, clothed in humility and endurance. Even the most wicked and vile thoughts, we shall dismiss as mere fleeting fantasies, holding fast to the knowledge that they hold no power over us.
Help us to treat the temptations that assail us with contempt, for the enemy fears nothing more than our rejection of his deceitful ways. Let us not be discouraged by minor distractions or adversities, but rather, with a resolute will, turn to You, our Divine Protector.
In the goodness of our hearts, we offer You our sincere wills, knowing that therein lies the source of all virtues and good deeds. As we strive to live a life in alignment with Your will, we trust that You will make right any shortcomings or failures.
May the love in our hearts be a testament to our devotion to You—a sweet desire to please You and experience Your presence in our lives. Help us understand that temptation, though not sinful itself, presents an opportunity for growth and virtue.
As we walk this earthly path, let us remember that every moment is a test, an opportunity to strengthen our faith and draw closer to You. With gratitude in our hearts, we embrace these trials, knowing that through them, we become more steadfast in Your love and grace.
Amen.