The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Of Compunction of Heart explained
The chapter emphasizes the necessity of compunction of heart—a sorrowful awareness of one's sins and the miseries of life—as essential for spiritual progress.
What happens
The chapter emphasizes the necessity of compunction of heart—a sorrowful awareness of one's sins and the miseries of life—as essential for spiritual progress. It warns against worldly distractions and comforts, urging the reader to embrace discipline, self-examination, and the fear of God to attain true devotion and liberty.
Themes in this chapter
Contempt for the World
The chapter teaches that perfect compunction makes the whole world burdensome and bitter, urging detachment from worldly comforts.
Suffering and the Cross
Emphasizes embracing tribulation and discipline as necessary for spiritual growth and true joy in God.
Characters to notice
- The Disciple
The narrator speaks as a devout soul seeking compunction and urging self-discipline.
- God the Father
Implored to grant the spirit of compunction and tears of repentance.
- David
Quoted as the prophet who prayed for bread of tears and plenteousness of tears to drink.
Key passages
“If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God, and long not to be too free, but restrain all thy senses under discipline and give not thyself up to senseless mirth.”
To advance spiritually, remain in reverent awe of God, avoid excessive freedom, discipline your senses, and reject foolish amusement.
The foundation of compunction is the fear of God and self-restraint.
“It is wonderful that any man can ever rejoice heartily in this life who considereth and weigheth his banishment, and the manifold dangers which beset his soul.”
It is astonishing that anyone can truly be joyful in this life when they reflect on their exile from heaven and the many perils threatening their soul.
True joy is incompatible with a superficial view of life's spiritual dangers.
“Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation, and worthy rather of much tribulation.”
Recognize that you do not deserve God's comfort, but instead deserve great suffering.
Humility and self-knowledge are prerequisites for receiving grace.
“If thou thoughtest upon thy death more often than how long thy life should be, thou wouldest doubtless strive more earnestly to improve.”
If you meditated on your death more than on the length of your life, you would certainly work harder to reform yourself.
The thought of death is a powerful motivator for compunction and amendment of life.
“Pray therefore humbly unto the Lord that He will give thee the spirit of compunction and say in the language of the prophet, 'Feed me, O Lord, with bread of tears, and give me plenteousness of tears to drink.'”
So pray humbly to God for the spirit of heartfelt sorrow, using the prophet's words: 'Lord, nourish me with tears and give me an abundance of tears to drink.'
Compunction is a gift from God, sought through humble prayer and scriptural petition.