Discerning of spirits

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Discerning (or Discernment) of spirits is an aspect of several different Catholic spiritualities. A major part of Ignatian, or Jesuit, spirituality, it is also important for Charismatics and Pentecostals.

Contents 1 Scriptural Basis 2 Ignatian View 3 Charismatic View 4 External links

[edit] Scriptural Basis

The scriptural basis for the discernment of spirits can be found in Galatians 5:16-24. Following the will of the spirit leads to holiness and following the will of the flesh leads to sin. This also opens the door to the dark or evil spirits / the workers of Satan. The will of the flesh is easy to be fooled and/or leads to rationalizations of conduct that our hearts know better and to idolize of the things of this world.

[edit] Ignatian View

For St. Ignatius of Loyola, the discernment of spirits is part of everyone's spiritual journey. No one who is trying to make spiritual progress should attempt to do so alone - a spiritual director is required. A director assists a Christian in examining the motives, desires, consolations, and desolations in one's life. Objectively, one can know what is right from looking at the Ten Commandments and the Seven Deadly Sins in a thorough examination of conscience. But the broader picture of one's life is often not so clear. A Christian should, according to St. Ignatius, share everything with a director who can see things objectively, without being swayed by the emotions and passions of the Christian seeking advice. Discerning whether the good spirit (the influence of God, the Church, one's soul) or the bad spirit (the influence of Satan, the world, the flesh) is at work requires calm, rational reflection. The good spirit brings us to peaceful, joyful decisions. The bad spirit often brings us to make quick, emotional, conflicted decisions. A spiritual director can assist both by personal experience, listening with care, and giving an objective analysis.

[edit] Charismatic View

Charismatics consider it to be a charism or spiritual gift that supernaturally enables a Christian believer to distinguish between holy and unholy spirits through the power of the Holy Spirit. This gift is thought to be especially necessary in instances when individuals may need to be delivered or healed of Demonic possession. In today's world, people are led astray by complacency and temptation to live only for and in this world (my casket has no pockets because all I have is God's on loan to me to use and build up for His use and glory {see MATTHEW 25:29}). Again, most do not realize the spiritual warfare going on all around and within them. Also look at Ephesians 6: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”(NIV) The truth here seems to say we fight against spriritual evil not against each other although the evil spirits love to confuse us to war against each other... divide and win an easy victory.

[edit] External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia article on this topic