As long as we live in this world, it is impossible to be free of trials and temptations (T.A. Kempis). It’s not always easy to act in ways we know are right. Our feelings, sentiments, moods, appetites, and desires do not always obey our better judgments and reason. We sometimes feel too strong a love for one thing, and not strong enough for another: this is temptation. It draws us to what we know is wrong and holds us back from what we know is right.

Temptation simply brings out what is in us. We know ourselves better once we have dealt with temptation. Our first safeguard against temptation is to recognize it, to see it for what it is, without its attractive camouflage.

• Adapted from My Daily Bread, Anthony J. Paone