Watchfulness Quotes

“Only when we are ravished in communion with Christ will we be liberated from lesser loves:”
― Brian G. Hedges, Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline

“These passages, and many more, show that though believers “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24), their conflict with the flesh continues (Gal. 5:17). We are always in danger of being seduced by the desires of the flesh that bubble up from within. Like an undercover spy, sin lurks in the corridors of our hearts and minds, watching for any opportunity to betray us. “There remains in a regenerate man a smoldering cinder of evil, from which desires continually leap forth to allure and spur him to commit sin,” writes Calvin.23 This cinder can burst into flame at any time, in any place. That’s why we need vigilance. As Paul commands, “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Rom. 6:12). Peter agrees: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).”
― Brian G. Hedges, Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline