For anyone contemplating practising Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises, or doing one of the courses based on it that are run by the Catholic church, I have been researching his teachings, and wish to share these findings with you:
From page 192 of the authorised 1914 English edition of Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises, downloaded from the Internet Archive:
Thirteenth Rule. To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see is black, if the Hierarchical Church so decides it,
And this quote is from Ignatius’s Constitutions of the Jesuits:
Consequently, in all the things into which obedience can with charity be extended, we should be ready to receive its command just as if it were coming from Christ our Savior, since we are practicing the obedience [to one] in his place and because of love and reverence for him.
Therefore we should be ready to leave unfinished any letter or anything else of ours which we have begun, and in the Lord to bend our whole mind and energy so that holy obedience, in regard to the execution, the willing, and the understanding, may always be perfect in every detail as we perform with great alacrity, spiritual joy, and perseverance whatever has been commanded us, persuading ourselves that everything is just and renouncing with blind obedience any contrary opinion and judgment of our own in all things which the superior commands [and in which no species of sin can be judged to be present.]
And Pope Gregory XVI., in his Encyclical of Aug. 15, 1832, clarifies this:
“If the Holy Church so requires, let us sacrifice our own opinions, our knowledge, our intelligence, the splendid dreams of our imagination and the sublime attainments of human understanding.”
But this abject slavery is NOT what Jesus, and the Bible, teach:
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 1 Timothy 1:5
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 3:15-16
The Bible clearly teaches that we are not to stifle our conscience nor our intelligence, which are both gifts from God to guide us in our walk with Christ. And we are warned against those who want us to do so.
Jesus says:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7:13 to 17
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
“And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25 to 28
And his true Apostles say:
And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in, who came in by stealth, to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Galatians 2:4-5
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13 to 15
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves as slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6-7
Based on these quotes, Ignatius’s and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy’s ultimate aim is not to make you a better disciple of Christ, but rather to make you an utterly submissive slave of the Catholic hierarchy. (Read Revelation chapters 17 & 18 for God’s view of the Catholic Hierarchy).
Consider all this carefully. I do not want you cast into the Lake of Fire.
Please pray to Jehovah God in the name of Jesus to open your eyes, as I fear your eternal salvation may be at stake. Contrary to the pope’s claims, there is NO salvation in the Catholic organisation, as shown clearly at chcpublications.net.
Bruce Armstrong
Central Highlands Congregation of God
Released 16 February, 2023
1 The original text is perindi acsi cadaver esset, which literally translates as “just as if he were a corpse.” Only a person who is spiritually DEAD could allow someone to use them like this.