compunction of heart

"if you want to make any progress in godliness, keppy yourself in the fear of God (prov 19:23) and do not desire too much freedom. keep all your senses under control by severe discipline, and do not indulge in foolish merriment. yield yourself to compunction of heart, and you will thereby increase greatly in inward devotion to God. Compunction opens to way to much good, which lack of moral restrain quickly destroys. it is a wonder that any of us who seriously consider and mediatate upon our state of exile and the many perils that surround our soul can ever perfectly rejoice in this life. through lightness of heart and little concern for our failings, we become insensitive to the real sorrows of our souls, and often indulge in foolish liaughter when we have valid reasons to weep (james 4:8-9). there is no true freedom or genuine joy except when the fear of God is accompanied by a good conscience. Happy are those who can rid themselves of every distracting thing that impedes their progress, and can dedicate themselves to the desired result of holy compunction. Happy is the one who can abandon all that may defile or burden the conscience. Resist courageously, one habit overcomes another."

- Thomas Kempis