Temptation is useful for everyone. If it is useful for saint Paul all the mouths will be shut and the world will be guilty before God.
Those who practice ascetic restraints are tempted to increase their wealth ; the idle ones to keep themselves unharmed and those who sleep to prepare themselves for their wake ; those who are far from God to get near ; those who are near to remain near with courage; The son who has no exercise, doesn`t receive the wealth of the house of His Father to help himself with it.
That is why God first of all tries the man and tempts him and afterwards He shows him the Grace.
Glory to the Lord, who through bitter medicine gives us a delightful health.
Excerpt from Words about the ascetic endeavour – Saint Isaac the Syrian, Bunavestire Publishing.
