688 (SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE/ SOBRIETY/ VIGILANCE/ FALL/ CONSCIENCE/ DAILY ACCOUNT) Which three matters should we be careful of…in order to avoid a possible fall? 1. If you do not wish to fall into one of your weaknesses (which you have decided not to repeat) you should have sobriety, that is, vigilance and attention; in other words, keep the eyes (of your mind) wide open… 2. Be careful of even the smallest retreat, because if you ignore it, it will immediately give its place to a bigger one and as a result you will fall! 3. At the same time, listen to the first voice of your conscience, which will tell you (gently and inwardly), “do not do this!” or “do that!” Because if you do not listen to it…, it will be mathematically followed by the fall! Let us take notice of the following:
Your decisions and the advices you give to yourself during your evening daily account, should be for you a lighthouse, a compass and a point of reference… This last part is the foundation and the nucleus of your spiritual struggle and the first three, are the techniques and the guarantees for the maintaining of the last one.