The prophet bewails Ephraim and says

"The prophet bewails Ephraim and says, 'Ephraim prevails against his 
adversary and treads down judgment' (Hos. 10:11). The adversary here is 
'conscience.' Here the Gospel says, 'Come to an agreement with your 
adversary while you are on the way with him, lest he deliver you to the 
judge and the judge to the warders and they put you in chains. Truly, I say 
to you, you shall not leave the place until you have paid the last 
farthing' (Mt. 5:25-26). Why does he call conscience the adversary? It is 
called the adversary because it always opposes our evil desires and tells 
what we ought to do and we do not, or what we ought not to do and we do; 
and it accuses us, and so conscience is called our adversary, and our Lord 
admonishes, 'Come to an agreement with your adversary while you are on the 
way;' for the 'way' as St. Basil says, is this world."

St. Dorotheos of Gaza. 

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs 
is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:10

Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.