SO GOOD QUOTES

This reminds us of the saying of Saint Bishoy: “I do not remember that the devil has tempted me into the same sin twice.” It is possible that the first sin was as a result of ignorance, negligence, weakness, or lack of awareness of the tricks of the devil, or lack of cautiousness. But after repentance and awakening, there is strictness in living and a caution of sin. The person who discards sin and then returns to it—therefore sometimes leaving it, and sometimes returning—has not yet repented. This is only an attempt toward repentance. Every time the sinner arises from his sin, sin drags him lower.

Repentance is a cry from the conscience and a revolt against the past. It is repulsion from sin, great regret, and rejection of the old state with embarrassment and shame.

—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, The Life of Repentance and Purity