December 13

Twenty-first Friday after Trinity

Prove your own selves. 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Our first step in the Christian warfare is to gain a knowledge of our own selves as a whole—what our faults are; then what our chief fault is (whatever it be), that from which the rest, be they pride, anger, animal pleasure, or the like, flow [or proceed]. It is something to know thus much. For thus we know what to pray against, what grace to pray for. Observe carefully, day by day, the occasion of thy fall; what just before happens which leads thee to it. Thus, whether the fault be anger or pride (to take these), people generally know thus much, that they are liable to be put out, or to be proud; and perhaps they could tell, if they thought, that this or that calls up their anger or their pride. And mostly you will find that the things which tempt you to your besetting sin are much fewer than you think at first. You are confused about them because you do not know them, and not knowing them, you think that they are many more than they are; for until you know them distinctly, you do not know that it is one and the same trial coming again and again. We say commonly, "forewarned, forearmed." The very temptation to sin becomes, when you know it well, the sentinel to warn you against it.

Oh no; our best life is to know In Him we live and move; We lose ourselves in Him below, Our very life is love.

To know our weakness is our strength, Our wealth our want to feel, Our peace of soul that He at length This inward want reveal.