%% #💡 #🟠 %% # rules for subtle discernment Ignatius’s second set of rules for [[discernment]] help us discern when decisions involve choices among two or more worthy options. 1. The work of the evil spirit is likely to be subtle and will usually take the form of doubts and dissatisfaction. 2. Feelings of [[consolation]] with no apparent cause are from God. **How to discern false consolation:** 3. Don’t assume that feelings of consolation with a cause are from God. 4. For someone seeking the good, evil is disguised as an angel of light. - For example, we can be deflected from the right course by irrelevant thoughts of some other good thing we might do. - Or we can be tempted to take pride in our accomplishments and good deeds, thinking that we alone are responsible for them. 5. Review a consolation carefully to determine whether it comes from God. 6. When you have been deceived by false consolation, learn from your mistakes. 7. Pay attention to the tone of consolation to determine its source. If it is gentle and leaves you feeling tranquil it's probably the good spirit. If it brings a sense of turmoil it's likely an evil spirit. 8. Don’t make a quick decision in the afterglow of a consolation from God. ## Sources ## Tags --- <small>*Created on:* 2022-06-25</small> <small>*Last modified on:* 2022-06-25</small>