Be careful, brother, because the enemy fights the fighters in various ways. And before the sin takes place, the enemy shows it in their eyes, very small.
Above all, the enemy presents the desire for fleshy pleasure so insignificant, before it becomes an act, that it seems that it is almost no different than pouring a glass of cold water on the ground.
After committing the sin, however, the wicked one presents it as a grave sin in the eyes of the one who has sinned, raising thousands of waves of thoughts against him, and drowning his rational thought, he sinks him to the bottom of despair. And you, brother, knowing in advance these tricks of the enemy, be careful not to be deceived and commit sins.
But even if you have already fallen into a transgression, do not continue, desperate for your salvation. Get up and go back to your Lord and God. And He will have mercy on you. Because our Despot is compassionate, merciful, and does not despise those who sincerely repent, but willingly and gladly accepts them.
So when the enemy says to you, “You are lost, you can no longer be saved!”, you should tell him: “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:22), Himself, much more, will forgive the sins of those who return to Him with all their soul.
And so, by the grace of God, you will be redeemed from war.
Saint Ephraim