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 judgement. 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: