Spiritual warfare: discernment and temptation

Life is a gift, a gift to be loved. But what gift is it? A holy gift. So love it holily. Life lasts as long as the flesh holds out. Then the great Life, the eternal Life begins. A Life of blissful happiness for the just, of malediction for the unjust. Is life a purpose or a means? It is a means. It serves for a purpose which is eternity. Then let us give life what is required to make it last and serve the spirit in its conquest. Continence of the flesh in all its lusts, in all of them. Continence of the mind in all its desires, in all of them. Continence of the heart in all human passions. Infinite instead is to be the ardour for heavenly passions: love of God and the neighbour, obedience to the divine word, heroism in good and virtue.

• Continence
• Eternity - Eternal life
• God's gifts
• Goodwill
• Heroism
• Life
• Obedience
• Passions
• Service
• Words of wisdom

«Everyone can be tempted. Sinners are only those who want to be such.»

• Fighting temptation
• Sin
• Temptation
• Words of wisdom

Man can, if he wants, not sin.

• Fighting temptation
• Sin
• Temptation
• Words of wisdom

We have everything in us: good and evil. We carry everything with us. And the breath of God blows on the good and vivifies it like a thurible of sweet-smelling holy incense. And Satan blows on evil, thus kindling a furious blazing fire. But diligent goodwill and constant prayer are like damp sand on the hellish fire: they suffocate it and put it out.

• Defense of the Work
• Fighting temptation
• Free will
• Freedom
• Good and evil
• Goodwill
• Prayer
• Temptation
• Words of wisdom

Judas, answer this question of Mine. Will one who is hungry, suffer more by saying: “I will now sit down at the table” or by saying: “There is no food for me”?»

«He suffers more in the latter case, because the simple thought that he is without food, will bring back to him the pleasant smell of food and his bowels will be tortured by biting desire.»

«Right: temptation is as biting as that desire, Judas. Satan makes it more intense, more real, more alluring than any accomplished act. Further, the act satisfies, and at times nauseates; whereas temptations do not subside, but like pruned trees, they grow stronger and stronger.»

• Fighting temptation
• Sin
• Temptation

All classes of people are worthy or unworthy. And without lacking in charity, but to avoid offending justice, I tell you that the unworthy, the mischievously unworthy, are often to be found amongst the great ones. It is not necessary and it is of no use being influential to be good or to hide sins from the eyes of God. Everything will be turned over under My Sign. And not he who is mighty will be great, but he who is humble and holy.

• Dignity
• Humility
• Indignity
• Malice
• Sin
• The poor man
• The powerful man
• The rich man
• The smallest and the biggest

Believe Me, man: you will find good and bad everywhere.

• Good and evil
• Words of wisdom

Man, I tell you, do not hate. Do not wish evil things. Do not be anxious to do evil things. There is no fault here. But even if there was, forgive. Forgive in the name of God.

• Hate
• Mal
• Mercy and forgiveness

• Discernment
• Good and evil
• Humanity of men
• Judgment

«What is the soul?»

«It is what makes a god of man and not an animal. Vice and sin kill it, and once it is killed, man becomes a repulsive animal.

• Animals
• Sin
• Soul
• Vice