Episode 67 -- Spiritual Combat c42.1 -- More Intense Demonic Delusions

As we begin to make greater progress, does the devil have more subtle tactics?

The third weapon of the spiritual combat is “spiritual exercises.” What Fr. Scupoli means, according to Fr. Robinson, by spiritual exercises is an organized campaign or strategy for building up the virtues and fighting our vices.

This long discussion of spiritual exercises (chapters 7-42) is coming to a close. Soon we will take up the fourth weapon: prayer. In this episode we look at his advice about the more subtle temptations of the devil when we really begin to serve the Lord. Earlier, Fr. Scupoli discussed the five standard tactics of the devil regarding those who are beginning to serve God (chapters 27-32). Then we have had a series of chapters on the right method of growing in virtues one at a time. Now Fr. Scupoli begins to warn us about a lack of moderation. The devil likes to urge us onto practices that we are not really able to do. He tries to make us think that we have reached a height of sanctity that we have not yet reached.

Like St. Philip Neri, St. Francis de Sales, and the Desert Fathers, Fr. Scupoli is stressing moderation/discretion/prudence! We saw last episode that we need great prudence in dealing with afflictions and vexations. We should seek ordinary remedies for pain, remedies that God has given us through the gift of human reason. By our reason, we share in the image of God. God wants us to think and figure things out. But when those ordinary remedies do not help us with our pains, we must with prudence surrender to the divine will. We must beg the Holy Spirit to save us from excessive desire to be free of our crosses.