Discernment of Spirits for Beginners
Learning to Hear God and Defeat the Lies of the Enemy
by Dan Burke, Mary Ruth Hackett
Ignorance does not protect against evil. Maintaining a basic understanding of the spiritual life can, and it will help you attain greater overall well-being. In this practical battle plan for spiritual awareness and strength, experts Dan Burke and Mary Ruth Hackett guide you in recognizing, understanding, and responding to the spiritual forces working for and against you.
You are engaged in a spiritual struggle whether you recognize it or not. The enemy seeks to distract, disorient, and isolate you. But have no fear: St. Ignatius of Loyola—the great soldier saint—is there at your side. Through his 14 Rules of Discernment, you will discover how to be ever on guard against spiritual attacks. He will assist you in understanding the role that your emotions play in the spiritual life so that you may put on the armor of God and not be undermined by them. He will also enlighten you on the concepts of spiritual consolation and desolation and sharpen your skills of discernment to better navigate life’s choppy waters.
These empowering pages will help you revive your soul, flex your spiritual muscles, and stay on course to Heaven. As you become increasingly alert to the spiritual world, you will find:
- The keys to staying “awake” and on the right path
- How to recognize a spiritual attack when it happens
- Tools to respond confidently and effectively to spiritual attack
- How to respond to negative self-talk with the grace and power of God
- Ways to steer clear from things and behaviors that invite trouble
- Strategies for overcoming evil around you through the Precious Blood of Christ
Burke and Hackett present scenarios to help you see how evil spirits try to confuse, tempt, and discourage souls to give up. They also offer short, simple prayers of renunciation to help you to reject the enemy’s lies.
Spiritual discernment is not just for the saints—it is foundational for all of us to see clearly, embrace the truth, and, by God’s grace, be victorious.
Endorsements
“Dan Burke and Mary Ruth Hackett summon the reader to a spiritual battle against the devil. Rooted in Scripture and the supernatural virtues, and drawing from the wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola, Burke and Hackett point the way to freedom, peace, and joy, showing how truth and faith in Christ drive out lies in a perverted culture fascinated with the occult and sorcery and lead to a communion of love with Jesus. Without any hesitation, I recommend this book, particularly to teens, young adults, and their parents.”
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Phoenix
“Burke and Hackett treat the spiritual life as it is: a daily battleground of competing spirits. With pastoral clarity and practical steps, they teach readers to discern God’s voice, silence accusation and confusion, and choose steady, faithful freedom.”
Drago Dimitrov, CEO, Holy Habits
“Spiritually nourishing and challenging, this book offers young people a road map to God and their own vocation.”
Fr. John Bonavitacola V.F., Pastor, St. Bridget Roman Catholic Parish, Mesa, Arizona
“This book’s strength lies in its straightforward approach to a complex topic. Burke and Hackett don’t shy away from the reality of spiritual warfare, presenting it as a constant battle that we’re all a part of. The authors make the profound concept of discerning spirits accessible and understandable to a younger audience.”
Fr. Robert Seraph Aliunzi, Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Tempe, Arizona
“This book gently invites us to rest our hearts in God through prayerful discernment. It reminds us that true freedom comes from aligning our wills with His, ordering our desires in His love, and letting Him tenderly guide and parent our hearts. Enjoy the read and don’t forget to share this book with a loved one.”
Fr. Teilo M. Lwande A.J., Pastor, St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Chandler, Arizona
“I truly believe that this book will equip all of us to live with greater peace, joy, and freedom in Christ. If you’ve ever longed to hear God’s voice more clearly and resist the lies that weigh you down, this is the perfect book for you.”
Jenna Guizar, Founder and Creative Director, Blessed Is She
“This book is a timely manual for our age, offering practical and powerful tools to resist evil and embrace God. In a generation marked by loneliness, it calls us back to the strength of community and equips us to fight the good fight with confidence and conviction. Readers will be relieved and grateful to discover how to ground themselves in faith, hope, and love. Truly, a treasure for today.”
Jennifer Baugh, Founder, Young Catholic Professionals (YCP)
“In Discernment of Spirits for Beginners, the authors handle an often-misunderstood or undiscussed topic with great pastoral care. Walking young people through timeless wisdom drawn from the Scriptures and Church teaching, they give practical steps not only in recognizing common spiritual battles but also in functioning and thriving within them. The pedagogical progression of thought and clarity of the message make this an accessible and easy read for teens and young adults (and parents!) who are new to the battles raging around or within them. This little book will serve as a valuable resource for young souls to grow in holiness, self-awareness, and peace for years to come.”
Mark Hart, CIO, Life Teen International
“Discernment of spirits doesn’t have to be overly mysterious or intimidating. In this practical and approachable book, young adults can begin to discover how to recognize God’s promptings, resist confusion, and grow in spiritual maturity. With real-life examples, clear explanations, and encouragement tailored for young believers, this book equips readers to navigate the road ahead and to plunge more deeply into the spiritual life and struggle with holy optimism.”
Noelle Mering, Author, Awake, Not Woke; Coauthor, Theology of Home
