specially directed against the
temptations to which we have already yielded. When a sin has once
found entrance, it is easy for it to enter again, not only because
experience of the sin itself makes it attractive, but because
psychologically it is easy to do the thing we have done before. In my
self-examination to-night I find that a certain sin has been committed.
Let me mark it over against the morrow that the temptation, if it
recur, may be stamped out quickly, lest the fault entering often become
habitual, and a binding chain of besetting sin be forged about my soul.

Similarly must we guard the particular faculty that we find has led us
into sin. Is it pride of intellect, the desire to show what little we
know, the instinctive tendency to monopolize conversation, or to
instruct and correct others? Or is it a weakness that has its seat in
our affections, a tendency to condone sin in those we love, or a
critical spirit against those for whom we have no natural affinity? Or
perhaps it is a sin of speech; {81} the unkind word we so easily speak,
the idle boast of our own achievements; or the sin of idle
conversation, the "objectless" talk that occupies so much of our
conversation with others, and which our Lord so terribly condemned.[7]

Although no sin may have been committed, yet an oft-recurring
temptation is always to be diligently watched. It indicates that
Satan, who generally knows us better than we know ourselves, has reason
to believe that here is a weak point in our armour; or that he thinks
that God might, for some reason, be particularly dishonoured by our
commission of the sin suggested at some special time or place.

Vigilance, too, must be kept regarding occasions of sin. For this
reason we should practise not only daily examination of conscience that
we may learn wherein we have failed, but we should begin each day with
an anticipation of possible happenings. Where do I expect to go? Whom
shall I see? What duties are to be performed which may occasion
temptation? Perhaps I know that, if the expected routine of the day be
not disturbed, I shall go to a certain place and shall meet certain
people. The last time I was in that place something occurred which
caused me to sin. Is the occasion of that sin still there? {82} If
so, I must note it, and be most guarded concerning it. Perhaps I shall
meet a certain person who irritates and annoys me. This, too, I must
note, and forestall by some p