July 24, 2023
They surely forget what an insinuating wriggling nature this serpent hath, that dare yield to him in something, and make us believe they will not in another – who will sit in the company of drunkards, frequent the places where the sin is committed, and yet pretend they mean not to be such? – that will prostitute their eyes to unchaste objects, and yet be chaste? – that will lend their ears to any corrupt doctrine of the times, and yet be sound in the faith? This is a strong delusion that such are under. If a man hath not power enough to resist Satan in the less, what reason hath he to think he shall in the greater.
William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
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Satan is an encroaching enemy, which is why he must be resisted. He will tempt you with seemingly inconsequential sins to open the door for larger ones. If you fail to resist the small temptations, why would you believe you could resist the larger ones? We must resist and fight every temptation, especially those that seem minor.