My advice and instruction to a certain brother

Composition by St. Tikhon of Zadonsky “My Advice and Instruction to a Certain Brother” is a condensed set of practical recommendations (5 sections) on Christian asceticism and moral improvement. The author offers the reader ways to combat sin, strengthen faith and deepen prayer life. The main themes are remembering eternity, imitation of Christ, maintaining chastity, vigilance over thoughts, avoiding condemnation and listening carefully to the Word of God in and outside the church. 1. Remember often the Judgment of God, death, hell and the kingdom of heaven. For with such remembrance a person is taken away from sins, and the vanity of this world comes into oblivion for him. 2. Remember often, especially at night, about the suffering of Christ, that He suffered and died for our sins. Thus, love for the suffering Christ will be kindled, and this love will save you from sins. 3. Take great care of purity and chastity, for which note the following remedies. First . Eat and drink little, but love fasting. Second. Never be idle, but always do something. Third . Always remember that you walk before God, and He looks at you everywhere, and observes your deeds, words and thoughts. How can you dare to sin and defile yourself before God? Beware, not only in deed, but also in thought, of sinning. You don’t dare sin before your father and mother; how can you sin before the all-seeing God? Fourth. As soon as a bad thought comes, immediately drive it away from yourself and pray: “Lord Jesus Christ, help me, a sinner.” Fifth. Pray often and ask Christ: “Lord, give me humility, chastity and other virtues!” Without prayer and God's help we cannot have chastity and other virtues. Sixth. Protect your eyes from looking at beautiful faces, and your ears from bad songs, and do not be seduced by such. Seventh. While standing in church, do not look around, but look at the ground and at the holy altar, and raise your mind to God. 4. Do not say anything about any people, because this results in the vice of condemnation, which is a grave sin. 5. When the Gospel and the Apostle and the teaching are read in church or in another place, listen diligently, and reason about what is being read, and try to implement it. For hearing without doing brings no benefit. And pray to God that He Himself will teach you to do His will. “Lord, teach me to do Your will” (Ps. 143:10).