Episode 540: Spiritual Combat - Chapter I

In Chapter 1 of Spiritual Combat, Lorenzo Scupoli argues that true Christian perfection is not achieved through external rites—such as fasting, ascetic wear, long vigils, frequent prayers, or cloistered solitude—but through an inner transformation rooted in the knowledge of God’s infinite goodness and our own utter dependence on Him. He warns that relying solely on outward practices can foster pride, self‑deception, and vulnerability to the devil, leading believers to mistake ritual for virtue. Genuine perfection, he says, consists of recognizing our nothingness, cultivating a deep love for God and hatred of self, and wholly surrendering our will to His divine pleasure. This inner battle demands continual self‑mortification, humility, and reliance on four essential weapons: distrust of self, trust in God, disciplined spiritual exercises, and earnest prayer, all undertaken with God’s aid to win the ultimate victory in the spiritual combat.

From the book Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupoli

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