# Of Resisting Temptation explained — The Imitation of Christ

> Chapter companion for The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

## What happens

This chapter discusses the inevitability of temptation in human life, its purpose in humbling and purifying the soul, and the proper response of watchfulness, prayer, humility, and endurance. It emphasizes that temptations reveal one's true spiritual state and that victory comes through patient reliance on God rather than self-will.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and the Cross

Temptations and trials are presented as a necessary part of the Christian life, purifying and strengthening the soul.

### Humility and Self-Denial

Endurance and true humility are emphasized as the means to overcome temptations, rather than self-reliance.

### Grace and Divine Dependence

The chapter urges crying out to God for help and trusting in His provision of a way of escape.

## Character check-ins

### The Disciple

The narrator addresses the reader directly, offering counsel on resisting temptation and enduring trials.

### Jesus Christ

Implied as the source of grace and the one to whom the tempted should cry for help.

### God the Father

Referenced as the one who orders temptations wisely and saves the humble.

### St. Paul

Quoted regarding God providing a way of escape with temptation.

### David

Implicitly referenced through the quotation from Job about life as a trial.

## Key lines

> The life of man upon the earth is a trial.

Human existence on earth is a continuous test.

_Quoted from Job, establishing the inevitability of temptation._

> Check the beginnings; once thou might’st have cured, But now ’tis past thy skill, too long hath it endured.

Stop temptations at their first appearance; delay makes them incurable.

_A proverb emphasizing early resistance to temptation._

> He will, as St. Paul saith, 'with the temptation make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it.'

God will provide a way out of every temptation so that we can endure it.

_Reference to 1 Corinthians 10:13, assuring divine assistance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters