Essentials Of The Faith / Midweek Devotional

Thomas A. Kempis

Excerpts from 'Devotional Classics' edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith
Thomas A Kempis (1380-1471)

Introduction to the Author

     In 1399 at the age of 19, Thomas a Kempis became a monk at the Augustinian monastery where he would spend the rest of his life. He was made subprior in 1429, but his outer life was not very eventful; he lived and died a simple monk. His inner life, however, was deep and rich, filled with a genuine devotion to Christ. The lasting achievement of his life came in 1441 when he edited Gerhard Groote's diary.
     The following passage comes from The Imitation of Christ, the classic that some believe was written by Groote (1340-1384) and edited by Thomas. Although the books tone is somber and it's prescriptions demanding, it continues to bless countless Christians because of its clarity and insight into the human spirit. In the eyes of many, The Imitation of Christ ranks second only to the Bible in its impact on the worldwide Christian community. The selection that follows addresses a single struggle that we all have: temptation. May it give you insight and encouragement as you deal with the various temptations that you must face.
Excerpts from 'The Imitation of Christ'

1. Be on the watch
     As long as we live in the world we cannot escape temptations and tribulations. As it is written in Job 'Our life on this earth is warfare'. For this reason we must be careful and concerned about our own temptations. We must be watchful in prayer lest the devil be given an opportunity to deceive us. Remember that no one is so holy that he or she does not have to deal with temptations. We can never be free of them.

2. The usefulness of temptations
     And yet, temptations can be useful to us even though they seem to cause us nothing but pain. They are useful because they can make us humble, they can cleanse us and they can teach us. All of the saints passed through times of temptation and tribulation and they used them to make progress in the spiritual life. those who did not deal with temptation successfully fell by the wayside.

3. The source of temptations: Why can't we run away
     No one is free of temptation because their source is in ourselves. We will always have temptation because we are sinners who lost our original innocence in the Garden. We can not win the battle by running away alone; the key to victory is true humility and patience; in them we overcome the enemy.
     If we turn away from temptation outwardly and do not strike at the root, we will make very little progress. In fact, you will find that the temptations will return more quickly and powerfully and you will feel even worse. Little by little, through patient endurance of spirit (with the help of God) you will win a better victory than by your own determination.

4. Temptations reveal who we are
     The beginning of all evil temptations is an unstable mind and a small trust in God. Just as a ship without a helm is tossed about by the waves, so a person who lacks resolution and certainty is tossed about by temptations. Temptations reveal our instability and our lack of trust in God; temptations reveal who we are. this is why we must pay attention to them.

5. How temptations enter and overcome us
     Temptations are more easily overcome if the never are allowed to enter our minds. Meet them at the door as soon as they knock and so not let them in. Just one simple thought can enter the mind and start the process. The process works like this. First, the thought is allowed to enter into our minds. Second, the imagination is sparked by the thought. Third, we feel a sense of pleasure at the fantasy, and we entertain it. Fourth, and finally we engage in the evil action, assenting to its urges. The longer we let them overcome us, the weaker we become and the stronger the enemy against us.

6. Never despair: God is with you
     We must not despair when we are tempted but, instead, seek God more fervently, asking for His help in this time of tribulation. Remember Paul's words of assurance 'God will make a way of escape from every temptation so that we may be able to bear it.' Let us therefore, humble ourselves before God and take shelter beneath His hand. God will lift up all who have a humble spirit and save them.
     Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will never be without strife and grief. thus, we should not strive for a peace that is without temptation or for a life that never feels adversity. Peace is not found by escaping temptations but by being tried by them. We will have discovered peace when we have been tried and come through the trial of temptation.

7. The pains of temptations
     But, you say, what about those who find such pleasure and delight when they give into temptations? To be sure, there is pleasure for them, but how long does it last? It is like smoke that vanishes quickly. Soon even the memory of the joy is gone. they will never find rest and they will live in bitterness and weariness and fear.
     The very thing they think will bring them joy will bring them sorrow; that which they think will bring them pleasure will bring them only pain. Because of their blindness and numbness they may never feel  or see how miserable they really are. They may not even know that their soul is slowly dying.

8. The way to true delight
     But, if you want to have true delight; here is the way: have contempt for all worldly things and all lower delights and rich consolation will be given to you. In proportion as you withdraw yourself from the love of these things, so you will find consolation from God much more sweet and potent.
     At first this will be difficult. Long standing habits will resist, but they will be vanquished, in time, by a better habit - if you persevere! The flesh will cry out, but it will be restrained by the Spirit. the devil will try to stir you up and provoke you, but he will run away the moment you begin to pray. And above all, try to engage in useful work. In doing so, the devil is prevented from having access to you.

9. Lay the axe to the root
     If we made an effort to stand firmly and courageously in the struggle, doubtless we should see the help of our Lord from heaven, for He us ready to help those who trust in His grace; He gives us occasions to fight that we may win. Let us lay the axe to the root, so that being purged of unruly passions we may have peace of mind.

10. Defeating old habits
     It is hard to give up old habits, but it is even harder to go against one's own will. Yet, if you cannot overcome small, trivial things, when will you overcome difficult ones? Fight the urge when it starts, and break off bad habits, lest perhaps, little by little, they lead you into greater trouble.

11. The temptation to gossip
     I wonder why we are so eager to chatter and gossip with each other, since we seldom return to the quiet of our own hearts without a damaged conscience? the reason is that by idle chit-chat we seek comfort from one another and we hope to lighten our distracted hearts.
     What a mistake! This outside comfort is no small detriment to the inner comfort that comes from God. therefore, we must watch and pray that we do not waste time. If it is proper to speak, speak of what will benefit others spiritually. Bad habits and neglect of our spiritual progress contribute much to our endless chatter.

12. Our need for God
 When a person of good will is troubled or tempted or vexed by evil thoughts, then he better understand his need for God, without whom he can do nothing at all.

13. Four sources of peace
     I want to teach you the way of peace and true liberty. First, strive to do another's will rather than your own. Second, choose always to have less than more. Third, seek the lower places in life, dying to the need to be recognized and important. Fourth, always and in everything desire that the will of God may be completely fulfilled in you. the person who tries this will be treading the frontiers of peace and rest.

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Reflection
1. According to Thomas a Kempis, can we ever escape temptations? Of what value are temptations in our spiritual life?

2. Temptations, Thomas says, reveal who we are. How have temptations revealed who you are?

3. Sin. Thomas admits, does bring pleasure, but the pleasure vanishes quickly and we are left with bitterness, weariness and fear. The very thing they think will bring them joy will bring them sorrow, Thomas writes. What things have you sought, thinking they would bring you pleasure, only to find sorrow as their end?

4. Thomas talks of laying the axe to the root of temptation. Which temptation would you most like to lay the axe to?

5. According to 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 what happens when we think we are standing firm?

6. Gossip and idle chatter, says Thomas, are entered into because we think they will lighten our distracted hearts. But they do not. this week, replace gossip and idle chatter with speech that will benefit others spiritually.

7. In section 5 Thomas describes four steps by which temptation becomes sin. Write them out on a piece of paper and carry it with you. Keep tabs on your own temptations, comparing your experience with Thomas's.

8. Not the 4 keys to peace in section 13. Try them out for a week. Keep track of what happens as you make them a part of your life.