“Imagine that leader of all the enemy,
in that great plain of Babylon,
sitting on a sort of throne of smoking flame,
a horrible and terrifying sight.
Watch him calling together countless devils,
to despatch them into different cities
till the whole world is covered,
forgetting no province or locality,
no class or single individual.”
Link (here)
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Now some basic rules, that over the years I’ve never tired repeating. They are based on St. Ignatius’ discernment, are bread and butter in Christian spirituality. We distinguish between how the good Spirit and how the evil spirit works on people who are virtuous, trying to do God’s will and those who are steeped in sin.
First the good Spirit; for those who are sincerely trying to do God’s will the good Spirit gives them peace. What else? How the good Spirit operates on those who are estranged from God and living in sin, just the opposite. Sins that would be casually called pangs of conscience wake them up. Maybe some dreadful illness, an accident, a near death tragedy, anything to wake the people up. Conversely, how the evil spirit operates, watch this, on those who are sincerely trying to do God’s will, just the opposite. Anxiety, worry, diffidence, maybe even to despair. One of the most basic laws of the spiritual life that for years I’ve been teaching my priests to teach those under their care. Anyone who sincerely wants to do God’s will should always, (comma) always consider anxiety or worry as a temptation from the evil spirit. And conversely, how the evil spirit deals with people who are in sin. Well, what else? Assures them, don’t worry, God is merciful. No problem, be at peace."
Servant of God John Hardon SJ
Now some basic rules, that over the years I’ve never tired repeating. They are based on St. Ignatius’ discernment, are bread and butter in Christian spirituality. We distinguish between how the good Spirit and how the evil spirit works on people who are virtuous, trying to do God’s will and those who are steeped in sin. First the good Spirit; for those who are sincerely trying to do God’s will the good Spirit gives them peace. What else? How the good Spirit operates on those who are estranged from God and living in sin, just the opposite. Sins that would be casually called pangs of conscience wake them up. Maybe some dreadful illness, an accident, a near death tragedy, anything to wake the people up. Conversely, how the evil spirit operates, watch this, on those who are sincerely trying to do God’s will, just the opposite. Anxiety, worry, diffidence, maybe even to despair. One of the most basic laws of the spiritual life that for years I’ve been teaching my priests to teach those under their care. Anyone who sincerely wants to do God’s will should always, (comma) always consider anxiety or worry as a temptation from the evil spirit. And conversely, how the evil spirit deals with people who are in sin. Well, what else? Assures them, don’t worry, God is merciful. No problem, be at peace." Servant of God John Hardon SJ
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