5.0. Chế ngự các thói quen xấu

BAD HABITS are evil inclinations acquired through repeated bad acts. Unless we overcome these habits, they will gradually become our masters. They come between Our Lord and us, and they can cripple our good will. In order to be true followers of Christ, we must refuse to be the slaves of our bad habits. In Him alone will we find true peace and joy.

How are we to deal with bad habits? A Kempis tells us: Habit is overcome by habit (Bk. 1, c. 21). By working to form good habits, we will slowly replace bad ones. God's help will not be wanting.

Just how sincere we are when we say that we love Christ, is seen in our daily effort for perfection. God will not judge us by our failures, but rather, by our efforts. He wants us to try, and to keep trying, to become the kind of person He wants us to be. Over-confidence shows our pride and presumption.

Discouragement in time of failure, shows selfishness. Only a humble, determined, and persevering effort can prove genuine love for Christ.

This part deals only with the outstanding habits which keep men from a full generosity with God. By overcoming these, a person quickly advances along the road to true holiness. Above all, we must remember that God's help is most effective with those who keep on trying, no matter how often they seem to fail.