Discernment of Spirits – Part I: Introductory Concepts

Part I Of A Lecture Series Given By Fr. Ermatinger

The Temptation of Christ by the Devil, Felix Joseph Barrias, 1860

Part I

Outline

  • Introductory Prayers — 0:00-0:55
  • Books Offered — 0:55-5:20
  • Origin of this Talk — 5:20-6:15
  • Rules of Discernment Change Based on Spiritual State — 6:15-7:25
  • Fastest Way to Holiness: Fidelity to Grace and the Voice of the Good Shepherd — 7:25-8:30
  • Other Voices At Work — 10:12-10:58
    • Enemy Spirits
    • Human Spirit
    • Spirit of the World
  • The Disorder Doesn’t Have to Have the Last Word — 10:58-11
  • Definition of Discernment — 11:00-12:00
  • Notions of Consolation and Desolation — 12:00-14:36
      • Not to be Confused with Euphoric Feelings
    • Passions and Concupasance — 12:00-14:20
    • Consolation and Desolation are not Mere Feelings — 14:20-14:36
  • Who’s Speaking Book — 14:36-16:55
  • Consolation and Desolation: Definitions — 16:55-21:21
    • Experiences are not as Important as Principles — 19:40-20:20
    • Internal Cohesion Between Intellect and Will — 20:18-21:21
    • Uniting Subjective Experience with What is Objective Reality — 21:21-22:00
  • Certain Prerequisites to Discernment — 22:00-26:54
    • Having Habitual Mental Prayer — 22:25-22:25
    • Being Habitually Penatenant — 22:45-26:54
  • Structure of Temptation — 26:54-28:48
    • Sources of Temptation — 26:54-27:37
    • Every Temptation is an Opportunity to Give God Glory — 27:37-28:48
  • The Devil’s Approach — 28:48-38:03
    • Insulation -> Initial Response -> Proposition -> Delectation -> Idolatry — 28:48-36:55
    • Demonic Inversion: Passions Over Intellect and WIll — 36:55-37:20
    • Worship — 37:20-38:03
  • Temptations are Opportunities to Glorify God — 38:03-39:04
    • Turn Towards the Lord as the First Response: Turn Towards Our Lord

 

Discernment of Spirits Part II: Patterns of Demonic Behavior — Click Here!

Discernment of Spirits Part III: Consolation and Desolation — Click Here!