To get what you want, STOP doing what isn't working.
Earl Warren
truisms
We act without thinking, and this often leads us into sin. We are especially prone to speak too quickly. When we are frightened, hurt, or angry (or all of these), we tend to say things that are hurtful, sinful, and downright stupid. This is why St. James tells us to "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:19-20).
Fr James Early
And in our spiritual life, we must be prepared to meet the assaults of the devil and his demons when they attack; for attack they will. We can be sure of this. We need to live our lives in sober and careful watchfulness, a state that the Desert Fathers called nepsis (Greek for watchfulness). We need to have a plan of defense ready for the times of trial and temptation. As St. Peter writes, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8; see also Ephesians 6:10-18).
Fr James Early
In our lives, often we make decisions and take actions without any regard to their consequences. Or, we give lip service to the consequences, deceiving ourselves into thinking, "Maybe, just maybe, nothing will come of this. I might get away with it." St. Paul warns us against such thinking, writing "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:8). Our sinful actions often bear bitter fruit in this world. But even when they don't, we can be sure that they will in the life to come.
Fr James Early
God gives us the gift of grace. With this grace we are able to cooperate with God and do the good works God has planned for us to do. And in doing them, in imitating Christ, the healing comes. The likeness begins to be restored by the power of the Holy Spirit. We become more like God. Theosis.
From Wittenberg to Athens and All Stops in Between