How do I stop tempting thoughts before they take over?

If you get up in the morning, focus on what you're doing, say your prayers, and eat what's laid out for you, you're going to go on with your day fasting, maybe with a thought here or there. But if I blindfold you, put a pin on your nose, take you into the middle of an In-N-Out, then take the blindfold off with a Double-Double right in front of you and say, look at this, don't think about how delicious and scrumptious this is, and look at the shake right here: you're going to feel tempted.

Because now you're thinking about it, you're remembering. I do love a Double-Double. It is so good. I do love a shake. If you're not thinking about it, you're fine. That's why the holy fathers say we have to cut off the thoughts as soon as they arise. We cannot give them any time to grow, to fester, and to take root in our soul.