"It is one thing to pray for rescue from bad thoughts, another to stand
up against them, and another still to despise and ignore them. The first
situation is exemplified by the one who said'O God, come and help me'
(Ps. 69:2); the second by, 'I will speak a word of contradiction to
those who reproach me' (Ps. 118:42), and 'You have made us a
contradiction to our neighbors' (Ps. 79:7). And of the third the witness
is the psalmist'I was silent and did not open my mouth, I put a guard on
my mouth when the sinner was before me' (Ps. 38:10); 'The proud have
gone too far in breaking the law, but I have not turned aside from my
contemplation of You' (Ps. 118:51). So the man who stands in the middle
position will often make use of the first of these, since he is
insufficiently prepared, whereas the man who is still at the first stage
cannot use the second method as a way of overcoming his enemies.
However, the man who has come as far as the third step will completely
ignore the demons."
St. John Climacus.
"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11
Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.
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