Discernment of Spirits: Rule 1
This week, Dan and Melissa discuss the first rule of the discernment of spirits by Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
Topics/Questions covered in the show:
- Rule 1 – “In the persons who go from mortal sin to mortal sin, the enemy will propose apparent pleasures, making them imagine sensual delights and pleasures in order to enslave them
more and make them grow in their vices and sins. In these persons, the good spirit uses a contrary method, pricking them and disturbing their consciences through the process of reason and moral judgment.” - The devil will work to convince someone with a poorly formed conscience or who might be new to the spiritual life that peace obtained through sinful behavior is from God. However, this is a false sense of peace.
- God will “prick us” to disturb the conscience through the process of reason and moral judgment. He will cause an uneasiness within us to bring us back to living a virtuous life.
- Knowing how the enemy works and how the flesh works can help you fight sinful inclinations.
- The life of Saint Augustine is a good example of overcoming habitual, mortal sin through the grace of God.
Resources:
- EWTN Global Catholic Radio
- SpiritualDirection.com – website
- Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
- Introduction to Discernment of Spirits — Last week’s show
- Dogmatic Constitution on the Church in the Modern World – Lumen Gentium – Chapter V discusses the Universal Call to Holiness
- EWTN Religious Catalogue – online
The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Father Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. (Oblates of the Virgin Mary)- Forty Weeks by Father William Watson
- Confessions of Saint Augustine
- Acts 7:54-8:3 – The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen – USCCB Bible link (click at bottom of page to go to chapter 8)
- Acts 9:1-19 – The Conversion of Saint Paul – USCCB Bible link
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – USCCB Bible link
- Questions? Send an e-mail to Questions@myavila.com or call 818-646-7729. Please leave your name, location, and question(s).
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