Chrysostom
Beloved
The warfare you endure is fierce, but not beyond God's deliverance. For lust is not a temptation that overtakes you apart from what is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but with the temptation He will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Do not then stand and wrestle with the burning thought, as though you could overpower it by your own strength. Flee from occasions of sin: from the glance that kindles desire, from idle wandering of the eyes, from the company that fans the flame. For if we rush into the conflict when not summoned, we make the devil's overthrow more celebrated and our own fall more shameful. True courage here is flight.
Let prayer be your constant refuge. Cry out from the heart, “Lord, save me!” even as Peter upon the waves. And do not lose heart if relief does not come at once. Perhaps God delays that you may cling more tightly to Him, that by the very struggle you may learn His strength made perfect in weakness. Drink the medicine of moderation: fast, deny the belly, and bridle the imagination. For the desire that is pampered becomes a savage master.
Yet beware also of excessive sorrow when you stumble. That too is a snare of the wicked one, who would swallow you up in despair. Rather, rise quickly, confess the wound, and run to the Physician. For if God honored you, a sinner, with His image and His call, will He not honor you again when you return? His righteousness is not like man's, and His victory is in showing mercy. So persevere in prayer, agree with us in faith, and know that the way of escape is at hand, even when unseen. The Lord is near to those who call upon Him.
Let prayer be your constant refuge. Cry out from the heart, “Lord, save me!” even as Peter upon the waves. And do not lose heart if relief does not come at once. Perhaps God delays that you may cling more tightly to Him, that by the very struggle you may learn His strength made perfect in weakness. Drink the medicine of moderation: fast, deny the belly, and bridle the imagination. For the desire that is pampered becomes a savage master.
Yet beware also of excessive sorrow when you stumble. That too is a snare of the wicked one, who would swallow you up in despair. Rather, rise quickly, confess the wound, and run to the Physician. For if God honored you, a sinner, with His image and His call, will He not honor you again when you return? His righteousness is not like man's, and His victory is in showing mercy. So persevere in prayer, agree with us in faith, and know that the way of escape is at hand, even when unseen. The Lord is near to those who call upon Him.
