Dan and Jordan Burke reveal why new Catholics are prime targets for spiritual attack, expose the lies that endanger souls, the common tactics that the enemy uses against new converts, and share how to fight back with the truth of the Church.

Timestamp Summary:

0:00 The Devil's Influence and Catholic Responsibilities

3:05 Challenges and Importance of Authentic Discipleship for New Converts

7:46 Heaven and Hell: The Stakes of Faith and Salvation

17:00 The Importance of Understanding Sin and Salvation in Catholicism

22:23 Authentic Discipleship and the Consequences of Knowing Jesus

29:07 The Importance of Mental Prayer and Authentic Discipleship

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the significance of being an "authentic disciple" is critical for new Catholics, involving full adherence to Church teachings.
• Mortal sin is a fundamental rejection of God, and confession is crucial to maintain a state of grace.
• Spiritual practices, including regular mental prayer and sacramental participation like the Eucharist, are vital to deepening one's relationship with Jesus.
• Misconceptions such as "being a good person" is sufficient for salvation are highlighted as dangerous pitfalls.
• The episode stresses that church membership does not equate to automatic salvation, underscoring the higher responsibility and potential for strict judgment.

Connect with us!

Instagram:

Dan ➡ https://www.instagram.com/danburkeofficial/

Jordan ➡ https://www.instagram.com/dothe_harderthing/

Questions? - Leave them in the comments below, or send them over to "questions@myavila.com"

You’re not your sin, your disorder, or your struggle—you’re a child of God called to fight forward, overcome, and be free.

In this episode of The Devil is in the Details, we dive into Rule Eight of St. Ignatius’ discernment framework—perseverance in desolation. But this one hits deeper than you might expect. We talk identity lies, spiritual EMDR, and what it really means to refuse to be ruled by your lower nature. This isn’t just about staying patient in the storm—it’s about realizing you were never meant to identify with it. If you’ve ever said, “I’m just not a morning person” or “That’s just who I am,” this one’s for you. Get ready to fight forward—with clarity, with grit, and with grace.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

00:38 Rule Eight: Perseverance in Desolation

01:09 The Concept of Patience

02:16 Identity and Negative Cognitions

02:52 Personal Stories and Overcoming Challenges

05:51 The Importance of Positive Cognition

12:44 Desolation and Human Nature

16:57 Hospital Experiences and Finding Peace

17:57 A Painful Experience

18:12 Spiritual Conversations in the Ambulance

19:47 Finding Peace Amidst Pain

21:03 A Stressful Drive

22:53 Spiritual Warfare and Vigilance

24:15 The Battle of Life

31:39 Balancing Awareness and Paranoia

34:36 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

5 Key Takeaways from Rule 8: Perseverance in Desolation

1. You are not your disorder, sin, or struggle.

   One of the biggest lies the enemy tells is that your weakness is your identity. But in Christ, your identity is rooted in grace—not your passions, inclinations, or past failures.

2. Patience is not passive—it’s a choice.

   Rule 8 calls us to work to be patient in desolation. That means engaging your will, choosing to fight even when you feel nothing, and refusing to be dragged by your emotions.

3. Negative self-talk can be demonic bait.

   Repeating phrases like “I’m just not a morning person” or “I’ve always been like this” forms psychological and spiritual chains. These “negative cognitions” reinforce falsehoods that give the enemy a handle on your soul.

4. Victory comes through fidelity, not feelings.

   Desolation often feels like failure, but it’s not. By leaning into prayer, penance, and meditation (as taught in Rule 6), you’re choosing God even when He feels absent. That choice is the victory.

5. Spiritual warfare requires readiness, not paranoia.

   Like a cop prepared for a worst-case call, the Catholic must walk into each day ready for battle—not with fear, but with clarity and peace. “Fight forward” by staying vigilant, grounded in truth, and armed with the sacraments.

Even in desolation, God has not abandoned you. In this episode, Jordan and Dan Burke explore Rule 7 of St. Ignatius’ spiritual exercises, revealing how faith, prayer, and mental discipline can help you recognize God’s presence—even when He feels distant.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

0:01 Overcoming Desolation Through Adjusted Thinking and Spiritual Guidance

3:10 Spiritual Growth Amidst Mental Health Challenges

5:19 Embracing Trials to Achieve Virtue and Strength in Faith

9:31 Balancing Physical and Spiritual Strength Against Life's Challenges

12:50 Delayed Consequences and Human Decision-Making

15:26 Overcoming Sin and Building Virtue Through Divine Grace

18:25 Navigating Spiritual Growth Through Consolations and Desolations

21:42 Strategies for Resisting Desolation in Spiritual Practices

23:41 Renouncing Negative Thoughts Through Faith and Prayer

26:09 Harnessing Divine Help for Spiritual and Psychological Challenges

31:36 Overcoming Trauma Through Faith and Scripture

40:13 Combating Temptation Through Scripture and Spiritual Identity

Key Takeaways:

• Rule 7 of Ignatius’s guidelines provides strategies for overcoming spiritual desolation by recognizing and resisting negative influences with divine help.
• Feelings of weakness during desolation are opportunities to reinforce one's faith, leveraging God’s unwavering presence, even when it is not felt.
• Practical steps include using renunciations to counteract lies and distractions, replacing them with scripture-based truths and prayer to invite divine assistance.
• The episode highlights a robust interaction between faith and psychology, illustrating how spiritual teachings can support mental health and emotional well-being.
• Ignatian spirituality draws deeply from biblical teachings, offering time-tested strategies for personal and spiritual growth.