Imitation of Christ: In Modern, Updated English

by Thomas à Kempis

The biggest obstacle and annoyance for you is your own undisciplined heart. A good and devout person plans their actions in their heart before carrying them out, so they don't get swayed by their desires or evil intentions, but instead follow their sound judgment. Who has a tougher battle to fight than someone striving for self-mastery? Our goal should be to master ourselves, becoming stronger than our own weaknesses each day, and continually working towards perfection.

a good conscience and a holy life are more important than anything else.

True inner peace comes from resisting temptation, not giving in to it. So, there is no peace in the heart of someone who is focused on physical desires or external things, but only in someone who is passionate about God and living a spiritual life.

Resist your desires from the start and unlearn bad habits, so they don't lead you into even more challenging situations. Oh, if only you knew the peace that living a holy life would bring to you and the joy it would bring to others, I think you would be more enthusiastic about pursuing spiritual growth.

No one is so perfect in holiness that they never face temptations, and we can never be completely free from them.

If you only resist outwardly and don't address the root cause, you won't gain much; in fact, temptations will come back to you more quickly and be even more intense. Gradually, through patience and perseverance, you'll overcome these challenges with God's help, rather than by force and your own willpower.

we must be vigilant, especially at the beginning of temptation, because that's when the enemy is most easily defeated - when we don't let them enter our minds and instead confront them as soon as they knock on the door.

The longer a person waits to resist, the weaker they become, and the stronger the enemy grows against them.

So, we shouldn't lose hope when we're tempted, but instead, we should passionately call out to God, asking Him to help us in all our struggles. As St. Paul says, God will provide a way out of the temptation so that we can endure it. Therefore, let's humble ourselves under God's powerful hand in every temptation and challenge, because He will save and lift up those with a humble spirit.

As Christians, our lives should be filled with all virtues, so that our inner selves reflect the image we present to others. In fact, our inner selves should be even better than what others see, because God knows our hearts, and we must honor Him with all our hearts wherever we are, living as purely in His presence as the angels do.

It's easier to be completely silent than to not speak too much.

And if you seriously considered the future pains of hell, I believe you would willingly endure toil or pain and not fear discipline.

You are miserable wherever you are, and wherever you turn, unless you turn to God.

The more someone desires to be spiritual, the more bitter their present life becomes, as they better understand and see the flaws of human corruption. For eating, drinking, staying awake, sleeping, resting, working, and being subject to other natural necessities is truly a great hardship and affliction for a devout person, who would rather be free from all sin.

We have good reason to be humble and not to think too highly of ourselves, given how weak and unstable we are.

It's better for you to avoid sin than to run from death.

Two things are particularly helpful for improving in holiness: determination to avoid the sin we are naturally drawn to, and a strong desire for the good we are most lacking.

The kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and it is not given to the wicked.

When you have Christ, you are wealthy and have everything you need.

You'll never find true rest unless you're closely connected to Christ within you.

Those who desire genuine and everlasting recognition don't concern themselves with temporary praise;

Blessed is the person who understands what it means to love Jesus and to put themselves aside for His sake.

It's better to have the whole world against you than to have Jesus offended with you.

So when you receive spiritual comfort from God, be grateful and recognize that it's a gift from Him, not something you've earned.

The devil never rests, and your physical desires are still alive; therefore, never stop preparing yourself for battle, as enemies surround you on both sides and never take a break.

Remember, everything relies on the Cross, and everything lies in dying; there is no other path to life and true inner peace except the path of the Holy Cross and daily self-discipline.

If you had the choice, you should prefer to face adversities for Christ rather than enjoy numerous comforts, because this would make you more like Christ and more in tune with all the saints.

I don't want to die without bearing any fruit, just being advised externally but not ignited within. I don't want to hear the word but not follow it, know it but not love it, believe it but not obey it, only for it to be used against me in judgment.

It's surprising how small the cause of a serious temptation can be, and while I think I'm safe for a moment, when I least expect it, I often find myself almost defeated by a slight breeze.

Look, O Lord, at my humility and my weakness, which You know all too well. Have mercy on me and "draw me out of the mire that I sink not", so I don't stay down forever.

Those who are wealthy, self-centered, and constantly seeking pleasure are enslaved. They focus on things that won't last instead of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In this Sacrament, spiritual grace is granted, and the lost virtue within the soul is restored, along with the beauty that was tarnished by sin. Sometimes, this grace is so immense that, due to the overwhelming devotion, not only does the mind feel it, but even the weak body feels a surge of strength.

For He Himself is our sanctification and redemption.

It's truly amazing and worthy of belief, beyond all human understanding, that You, O Lord my God, both fully God and fully human, give Yourself entirely to us in a small piece of bread and wine, and become our never-ending nourishment. You, O Lord of all, who have no need for anything, have chosen to dwell within us through Your Sacrament.

Every time you remember this mystery and receive Christ's body, you celebrate the work of your redemption and share in all of Christ's merits.

Christ's love never diminishes, and the power of His sacrifice is never depleted. Therefore, you should continually renew your spirit and prepare yourself for this great mystery of salvation, giving it your full attention and thought. It should feel as fresh, exciting, and joyful to you when you take communion as if Christ were becoming human for the first time today, descending into the Virgin's womb, or hanging on the cross, suffering and dying for the salvation of humanity.

Holy Communion, therefore, pulls us back from evil and strengthens us to do good.

This most exalted and glorious Sacrament is the source of health for both the soul and body, the remedy for all spiritual ailments. Through it, I am healed of my sins, my passions are controlled, temptations are overcome or weakened, more grace is given to me, virtues are enhanced, faith is solidified, hope is fortified, and love is ignited and expanded.

Even if you had the purity of an angel and the holiness of Saint John the Baptist, you would not be worthy to receive or administer this Sacrament. It is not through human merit that someone is able to consecrate and administer the Sacrament of Christ and partake in the bread of Angels.

The priest is indeed a minister of God, using the Word of God as commanded and instituted by God. However, God is the main Author and invisible Worker, to whom everything is subject and obedient to His commands.