The Devil's Role in the Spiritual Life: St. John of the Cross' Teaching on Satan's Involvement in Every Stage of Spiritual Growth

by Cliff Ermatinger

Roaring Lion or Angel of LightThus Saints Peter and Paul described the enemy of human nature - Satan.Whether as a threatening adversary or coddling manipulator, how the devil works on us towards his ends depends, in great part, on where we are in the spiritual life. The great mystic and authority on all things spiritual, St. John of the Cross, is our guide and coach in this volume based on his writings.St. John of the Cross lays out the entire spiritual trajectory, punctuated throughout with the red flags along the journey. He reveals not only everything Satan is capable of doing to to us, but also his If the devil can read your mind or knows the future.-How to distinguish between divinely inspired visions and those inspired by the devil.-Common pitfalls for beginners in the spiritual life - as well as those of the most advanced.-How to grow in prayer.-What are the most effective weapons in combatting the devil - as well as those the devil use against you to halt your progress.

Genres: Catholic

187 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2017

Reviews

[booklady]

In the title it says, "St. John of the Cross' Teaching on Satan's Involvement in Every Stage of Spiritual Growth" but I was very happy to read that the author is including St. Teresa as well. They just go together to form a very complete spirituality.

[Dominic · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 The content is solid, but better formatting would make the book more accessible. I found myself stumbling sometimes and trying to figure out who was speaking -- the author or one of the mystics -- and sometimes the formatting errors could make that difficult.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very insightful and easy to read, regardless where you are on your walk in the spiritual life it helps to know the ways in which the flesh, the world, and the devil are used in tandem to hurt us on the path.

Yet this book is not a book of despair rather it is a book of hope for others have come and gone before us who know the tricks and go on to become saints. This book offers insights into the tactics but also the ways to defend yourself from the Adversary tooo, and the book gives a description of gifts that God gives to those along the way and definitions to help us know what is from God and what is not.

Of course, even within the book there is clear insight that one should not just depend on whats in the book but should seek out spiritual direction and if St. John of the Cross proposes this for those souls who are advanced how much than for those who are just starting out? Likewise, if the Mystical Doctor said that back in relatively more Catholic times and culture, how much more than in our anti-Catholic times and culture?

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

I learned so much about spiritual warfare. This will definitely be one of my go-to, must re-read books. Loved it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated PG-13 (my personal opinion based on content)