Discrimination of spirits

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Distinction between spirits is an expression from Pauline and Johannine theology ( 1 Corinthians 12:10 Luth ; 1 John 4: 1-6 Luth ) and describes the critical differentiation of thoughts, emotions and prophecies with regard to the question of the extent to which they are come from God or not. In the " Exercises " ("Spiritual Exercises") of Ignatius of Loyola , the differentiation of spirits is the central exercise:

"I assumed that there are three kinds of thoughts in me: those that are my own and arise solely from my freedom and my will, while the other two come from outside: one from the good, the other from the evil spirit."

- Ignatius of Loyola : retreats

The practitioner should gain experience in distinguishing in his own life what leads him to more love, more devotion to God or to greater service to people and what does not. The differentiation of spiritual influences is also of central importance in groups and communities for their positive development.

See also

literature

  • Michael Schneider: Differentiation of the spirits. The Ignatian Exercises as interpreted by E. Przywara, K. Rahner and G. Fessard (= Innsbrucker Studien , 11). Tyrolia, Innsbruck / Vienna 1983; 2nd edition 1987.
  • Ignatius von Loyola: The retreat , transmitted by Hans Urs von Balthasar . 11th edition. Johannes Verlag, Einsiedeln 1993, ISBN 978-3-89411-028-4
  • Hans Zollner: Consolation - Increase in hope, faith and love. On the theological ferment of the Ignatian "discernment of spirits" . Tyrolia, Innsbruck / Vienna 2004, ISBN 3-7022-2607-9 (IThS 68)
  • Marianne Schlosser (ed.): The gift of distinction. Texts from two millennia . Echter Verlag, Würzburg 2008. ISBN 978-3-429-02986-9
  • Josef Sudbrack : Differentiation of the spirits. In: Christian Schütz (Ed.): Practical Lexicon of Spirituality. Herder 1992, Freiburg i.Br. u. a., ISBN 3-451-22614-6 , Sp. 1328-1330

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Ignatius von Loyola: The Exercises. 13th edition, margin number 32. Johannes Verlag Einsiedeln, Freiburg 2005, ISBN 3-89411-028-7 .