Fellow pilgrim, do not say in your heart, "I'll go here and there, and I won't sin." You are never so far from danger that you can boast about being safe. The road is muddy—it will be hard to pick your way without soiling your clothes. This world is like pitch; you'll need to watch constantly if you want to keep your hands clean while handling it.

There's a robber at every turn, ready to steal your jewels. There's temptation in every mercy. There's a snare in every joy. And if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace, credited entirely to your Father's power.

Be on your guard! When a man carries a bomb in his hand, he'd better stay away from candles—and you must take care that you don't walk into temptation. Even your common actions are sharp blades; mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian's faith—everything exists to destroy it.

How anxious you should be to look up to God, that he may keep you! Your prayer should be, "Hold me up, Lord, and I shall be safe." But having prayed, you must also watch—guarding every thought, word, and action with holy jealousy.

Don't expose yourself to danger unnecessarily. But if duty calls you into exposure, if you're commanded to go where the arrows fly, never venture out without your shield. For if the devil once finds you without your armor, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph has come, and he will soon make you fall wounded by his arrows. Though slain you cannot be; wounded you may be.

"Be sober; be vigilant"—danger may strike in the hour when all seems most secure. Therefore, take heed to your ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so they will always please the Lord.