Chapter 06
When Good Intentions Go Too Far
Of imperfections with respect to spiritual gluttony. With respect to the fourth sin, which is spiritual gluttony, there is much to be said, for there is scarce one of these beginners who does not fall into some of these many imperfections. Many of these persons, lured by the sweetness and pleasure which they find therein, strive more after spiritual sweetness than after spiritual purity and discretion, which is that which God regards and accepts throughout the spiritual journey. Therefore, besides the imperfection of seeking after these consolations, the pleasure which they find in them causes them many other imperfections. For…
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Key Quotes & Analysis
"Many of these persons, lured by the sweetness and pleasure which they find therein, strive more after spiritual sweetness than after spiritual purity and discretion, which is that which God regards and accepts throughout the spiritual journey."
Context: John defines spiritual gluttony as craving consolation over purity
Sweetness becomes the goal instead of discretion. God values balanced purity, not emotional highs.
In Today's Words:
John says beginners chase spiritual sweetness instead of purity and discretion, which God accepts on the whole journey. Feeling holy replaces becoming holy. When practice feels good, ask whether you want consolation or the slower work of character. Juan the hospital chaplain sees the same pattern when consolation ends and the soul must learn patience
"they set their own opinion before obedience, which is that which God regards and values more than all offerings and sacrifices"
Context: Describing how gluttons hide extreme penances from superiors
Private excess proves pride. Obedience outranks dramatic sacrifice.
In Today's Words:
John says they prefer their own judgment to obedience, which God values above offerings and sacrifices. Hidden heroics are rebellion in pious dress. Before you escalate fasting or penance, submit your plan to someone with authority to say no. John maps this for beginners who mistake dryness for failure instead of purgation ordered toward union
"they kill themselves with penances, and others weaken themselves with fasts, by performing more than their frailty can bear, without the permission of those who have power to command them"
Context: Describing self-destructive excess in spiritual exercises
Gluttony for sweetness drives bodies past frail limits without permission.
In Today's Words:
John warns that some kill themselves with penances and others weaken with fasts beyond what frailty can bear, without permission from superiors. Intensity masquerades as devotion while harming the body. Match discipline to capacity and external counsel, not inner adrenaline. The line still applies when you want instant transformation but God works on a timeline
"they endeavor to conceal these penances from those persons, sometimes even from their own confessor."
Context: Closing description of unreasonable beginners
Secrecy signals addiction to the feeling of excess, not humble growth.
In Today's Words:
John says they hide extreme penances even from their confessor. Concealment means the practice feeds ego, not obedience. If you will not tell your mentor what you are doing, pause and ask what you are protecting. Notice where peevishness, pride, or attachment flares when old comforts are withdrawn; that is the night beginning its work.
Thematic Threads
Self-Deception
In This Chapter
Spiritual seekers convince themselves that extreme practices prove their dedication, when they're actually feeding their ego
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might tell yourself you're 'really committed' when you're actually just chasing the rush of feeling special or different.
Authority
In This Chapter
Beginners reject guidance from experienced mentors, preferring their own judgment and extreme methods
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might dismiss advice from people who've succeeded in areas where you're struggling, thinking your situation is different or special.
Addiction
In This Chapter
People become addicted to spiritual consolations and emotional highs rather than focusing on character development
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might find yourself chasing the feeling of progress rather than actually making progress in any area of growth.
Extremism
In This Chapter
Excessive fasting, extreme penances, and marathon spiritual practices that harm rather than help
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might swing to extremes in diet, exercise, work, or relationships, thinking more intensity equals better results.
Pride
In This Chapter
Hidden arrogance in thinking you know better than experienced guides, disguised as spiritual devotion
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might secretly believe you're more dedicated or insightful than others, even while appearing humble on the surface.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
This is not a test. Five prompts guide you through the chapter, from how it opens to how it closes, so you notice context and rhythm rather than facts to memorize. Sit with each question in your own words. When you see "One way to read it," treat it as a starting point, not the only answer.
- 1
What does John mean by spiritual gluttony in this chapter?
analysis • surfaceOne way to read it
Craving spiritual sweetness and pleasure more than purity, discretion, and obedience, leading to harmful excess.
- 2
Why does John condemn hiding penances from a confessor or superior?
analysis • mediumOne way to read it
Secrecy shows they set their own opinion before obedience, which God values more than dramatic sacrifices.
- 3
When have you intensified a good practice until it harmed you or others?
application • mediumOne way to read it
Name a season when emotional highs from growth work led you to ignore limits or counsel.
- 4
How does preferring sweetness over discretion corrupt beginners' motives?
application • deepOne way to read it
They judge less pleasurable disciplines as worthless and chase feeling holy instead of becoming humble.
- 5
What sustainable rhythm would replace your current urge to prove devotion through excess?
reflection • deepOne way to read it
Choose one practice, one rest day, and one person who can veto escalation when enthusiasm outruns frailty.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Gluttony Pattern
Think of a time when you started something new with great enthusiasm - a job, hobby, relationship, fitness routine, or personal goal. Write down what the early 'high' felt like, then trace how chasing that feeling led you off track. What warning signs did you ignore? What advice did you dismiss? How did the pursuit of intensity replace the work of consistency?
Consider:
- •Notice if you hid your extreme efforts from people who cared about you
- •Look for moments when you trusted your enthusiasm over experienced guidance
- •Identify what sustainable approach you wish you had taken instead
Journaling Prompt
Write about a current area of your life where you might be chasing the feeling of progress rather than building the foundation for real change. What would steady, humble work look like in this situation?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 7: When Spiritual Progress Breeds Jealousy
Having exposed the trap of spiritual gluttony, John will next examine another common pitfall that derails genuine seekers - the subtle ways our ego disguises itself as spiritual progress.
