How to Discern the Spirits

What did St. Ignatius mean when he counseled followers to “discern the spirits”? How do we do this? In this episode of the “Word on Fire Show,” we unpack the “Spiritual Exercises” of St. Ignatius and offer practical tips on how to discern God’s will in your life. A listener asks how to discern whether God is calling him to marriage or the priesthood.

[gemum]

For anyone reading this: Do you find that some people provide a feast for the brain? I could follow people like that easily, just to hear what they are thinking. Bishop Barron is one of them.

It's not just the factoids he has or knowledge he presents it's how he interacts with stimuli around him, the points he makes. Even when he mentioned that he would be interested in visiting this person's office, even that struck my curiosity - "yeah, that would be interesting." Such a seemingly small thing opened up a lot more. There is so much around us that weaves into our awareness and connectedness.This plotting of awareness is no accident - it all fits together.

[THEBODYPRACTICE]

Don’t fall in love with the good feelings of God, fall in love with God himself! This is beautiful advice. Thank you Bishop B🙏🏻

[mommyseastar]

“What awakens greater love in you? That’s the path God wants you on.” What beautiful clarity!

[busterbeagle]

Bishop- I for one will never be bored hearing you talk about Aquinas.

[mommyseastar]

“A consolation is what is going to lead you to a deeper commitment to love of God and love of neighbor.” I love this.

[hrhmllc]

Prayers keeps us on track to the will of God. Total trust in God’s merciful love.

[annette]

Every talk with Bishop Barron makes me feel that greater love.

[elke]

I recall that in Gospel of John, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will remind us of things He has said. Also recently, I heard on Catholic Radio that the Holy Angels, our Guardian Angel will remind us of memories that lift us toward God, remind us of joyful times, blessings we've received from God and so on. The evil spirits will bring us memories of past sinful acts and make them look tempting again. When I am contemplating Jesus and I ask a question, a memory will come up as an answer! This can go on for several minutes, like a conversation. It ALWAYS uplifts my soul and draws me closer to Christ and increase my Love and Trust for Him. Always. I have gone through the dark, dry times too and I just keep the Faith, pray just as much, dive deeper. Later, I will have the experiences of God raining down consolations again. Praise God.

[normagrant]

Hello Bishop Barron, blessings to you Sir for the exceptional work that you do representing the Kingdom Of God. My background is Protestant, and although I have visited other churces, including the Catholic Church, on numerous occasions, I remain faithful to the Protestant denomination. I have been an ardent follower of some of the stalwarts of the Catholic faith through Telecare and EWTN for over 20 years. Fr. Benedict Grochel, Fr. John Corapi, Bishop Weurel and now you, are some whose teachings I have found priceless. I watched almost every episode of Catholicism; and I can't seem to get enough of WOF. I still watch Mother Angelic. I loved your Good Friday presentation of the seven words. I just wanted to let you know that you've been a favorite of mine for a long time. Blessings once again Sir.

[melissapatino]

I completed the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in a 10-week session with Fr. Broom, and it was life changing. The acronym B.U.T stayed with me; Be aware of the good spirit or bad spirit in each situation, Understand if you are being tempted to sin by the bad spirit, Take action and reject the bad spirit. This simple acronym has been so helpful in my daily life to avoid sin and the near occasion of sin.
Praise God, reverence God, and serve God.🙏🤲

[fservidad]

Discernment is a gift from the Holy Spirit, I believed that every Christian has the power to discern. God has given us this gift The Holy Spirit that we may be able to discern what is from the Holy Spirit and what is from the Evil.

[carolsquitieri]

Thank you Bishop Barron ! You always have a brilliant way of "teaching us " about the history of our church.

[guygeorgesvoet]

thank you for the patience in discerning the Spirit that let you to the priesthood, Bishop Barron.

[ncubemusics]

Yahweh is so great! Thanks a lot Bishop Barron for the divine consolation well explained and clarified. I have that experience now and I was wondering how I could handle it because the enormous increase in love for God and for neighbour is so overwhelming to the extent that I thought I was about go crazy but this video kinda open my eyes and make me realised that God has gotton hold of my heart and now I feel a relieved and comfortable with it now... No other feeling like that on earth and I love it. I basically pray thrice a day using breviary seeking God wholeheartedly, consequently the result is the spiritual consolation I now have, it makes me often cry when praying, when after receiving holy communion and when contemplating about God. To me God providentially designed this video for me. All glory and praise belong to Yahweh Saboath who lives for through Yeshua the Christ. Amen!👏 From Italy!

[madeinusa]

Brandon is a gem. So glad he's a part of this program.

[anne-mariewoloszyn]

Bishop Barron, I have made the 19th Annotation, the 30 week retreat twice in my adult life. Get over your fear and do it. God is a God of surprises. Let God surprise you through this retreat. It is a retreat that has formed many great saints. 🤓

[kussmannjv]

The discerning what's right and good and faithful I think it's really important to have a good spiritual director as I do

[rev.jon]

What I learned in spiritual discernment:
What's a library?
What is a book?
What isa a bike?
I really love both of you Bishop Barron and your tandem🤣🥰🤩

[_Gareath]

Many thanks Bishop Barron for sharing your knowledge through word on fire shows like this.

[priscillawright]

Listening to you has given me great joy and peace. As I perceive the consolations of God have faded in me, I do view myself as growing in the love of God and neighbor. Thank you, Monsignor!