The devil doesn’t guess. He watches. Learns. Waits. And when he finds your weakest point, he attacks.

In this final episode of our Ignatian Discernment series, Dan and Jordan unpack Rule 14 — a chilling but liberating truth: the enemy studies your life like a general preparing to breach a fortress. Your wounds, your past, your patterns — all are potential entry points. But once you know them, you can fight back.

This episode gets deeply personal as Dan and Jordan share stories of past trauma, addiction, and relational wounds — and how the enemy used them as open doors. But they also offer hope: practical steps, spiritual disciplines, and encouragement for building a life the enemy can’t conquer.

You’ll learn:

• How demons exploit your wounds and vices

• Why unresolved trauma becomes spiritual vulnerability

• The difference between clubs and true Catholic community

• How to fortify your soul through self-knowledge, mental prayer, and sacramental grace

• What comes after Rule 14

This is the end of the series — but not the war. Whether you’ve followed from Rule 1 or just discovered this episode, this conversation will help you close the door to the enemy and walk freely in the grace of God.

“The devil may be in the details—but God is on the throne.”

And for those who have read this far down - Our next series will be on The Devil in The Castle!

Demons thrive in the dark. That’s why St. Ignatius’ 13th Rule of Discernment urges us to expose their lies — fast.

In this episode, Dan and Jordan dive into one of the most underrated spiritual warfare tactics: calling out the devil’s schemes and sharing them with others. You’ll hear stories from police work, deliverance ministry, and personal battles with desolation that reveal how the enemy loses power the moment we bring his plans into the light.

They discuss:

•The spiritual and psychological power of naming desolation

•Why texting “I’m in desolation” can shift everything

•The importance of holy friendships and spiritual accountability

•How demons act like cowards — and why exposure makes them flee

Timestamp Summary:

00:00 Rule 13: Exposing the Enemy's Efforts

05:19 Practical Steps to Combat Desolation

06:13 The Power of Writing and Confession

08:09 Spiritual Direction and Confession

10:30 Analogies and Real-Life Examples

17:49 The Gift of Fear and Ignoring Intuition

18:50 Recognizing and Responding to Threats

19:57 Spiritual Awareness and the Enemy

24:58 Levels of Response to Desolation

29:48 The Importance of Reaching Out for Help

30:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of The Devil is in the Details, Jordan and Dan Burke react to a video raising a serious question: Should Catholics ever receive spiritual direction from someone who isn’t Catholic?With honesty and charity, they unpack the theological and practical problems with this scenario—covering sacramental life, moral theology, Church teaching, and the dangers of syncretism. Along the way, they explore how true spiritual direction is meant to work, why it requires a shared foundation in the Catholic faith, and the risks of ignoring that reality.This conversation is both a cautionary tale and a call to charity—urging Catholics to lead others to the fullness of the truth in Christ and His Church.Resources Mentioned: •Spiritual Direction School: AvilaInstitute.org •Find a Faithful Catholic Spiritual Director: SeekDirection.app •Book: Navigating the Interior Life by Dan Burke

What do you do when evil stands between you and the chapel? In this raw and practical episode, Dan and Jordan unpack Rule 12 from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Discernment of Spirits—a hard-hitting rule about spiritual warfare, temptation, and the tactics of the enemy. They explore real-life stories involving demonic presence, a dog named Max, mountain lions, and the fight against habitual sin.

You’ll learn:

• Why the enemy is like an aggressive dog

• How delay makes desolation worse

• The role of music, noise, and distractions in spiritual warfare

• What “fast and fierce” resistance really looks like in the battle against sin

This is a no-fluff, boots-on-the-ground conversation for anyone serious about becoming spiritually dangerous.

God humbles us in consolation so we can fight better in desolation. Rule 11 of St. Ignatius’ Discernment of Spirits teaches how humility protects us from pride—and prepares us for battle.

Timestamp Summary:

00:00 Opening

00:36 Understanding Rule 11: Humility in Consolation and Desolation

01:06 Practical Applications of Humility

03:18 Personal Experiences and Reflections

06:08 Strategies for Overcoming Desolation

12:19 Balancing Rest and Effort

22:08 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

Some demons won’t leave until you heal.In this episode, Dan and Jordan take a bold look at the real connection between emotional wounds, therapy, and spiritual warfare. Can inner healing make exorcisms more effective? Why are so many Catholics resistant to therapy? And how do wounds become spiritual entry points for the enemy?Drawing from real-world cases, Church teaching, and personal experience, this episode uncovers the hidden barriers to deliverance and how grace works through both spiritual direction and psychology. What You’ll Learn: •How wounds can open the door to demonic oppression •The difference between spiritual direction and therapy •Why rejecting psychology can be a spiritual blind spot •What faithful Catholic therapy actually looks likeReferenced in this episode: •The Exorcism Files by Fr. Carlos Martins •CatholicTherapists.com •Fr. Ripperger’s work on Thomistic psychology •Jordans Article: Vineyard: https://onvineyard.com/dotheharderthing/the-intersection-of-exorcism-and-emotional-healing-2098or on substack: https://dotheharderthing.substack.com/p/the-intersection-of-exorcism-and?r=3076lt====================🔥You know that there are battles all around us. But did you know about the battle in - and for - your mind? Learn how to fight, and win, with this free video course! ➡️ https://bit.ly/3U9qOjqPlease visit the Spotify Podcast page for links to all the other resources mentioned in the show!====================Subscribe to our Podcast: Spotify ➡ https://open.spotify.com/show/4klx2Ao6HQFXQYhJ7lPpuw?si=74cae2f132cd4b49Apple ➡ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-devil-is-in-the-details/id1763882809====================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"====================⏰ Timecodes ⏰0:00 The Intersection of Exorcism, Emotional Healing, and Therapy6:32 Debating the Misuse of Psychology and Religious Practices9:13 Finding Truth Through Science and Faith11:17 The Interplay of Spirituality and Psychology in Personal Growth13:54 The Importance of Addressing Emotional Wounds in Exorcism#spiritualwarfare #catholic #discernmentofspirits #catholicpodcast #catholicspirituality #mentalprayer #danburke #jordanburke #devilinthedetails

Dan and Jordan Burke unpack Rule 10 of St. Ignatius’ Discernment of Spirits—how to prepare during times of peace for future spiritual battles. They share personal stories of suffering, grit, and grace, revealing why storing up consolation is vital for hope and perseverance. Learn to love the fight, not just the victory.

If you’re practicing mental prayer and still feel spiritually dry, Rule 9 explains why—and what God may be trying to show you.

Why does God allow desolation even when you’re doing everything right? In this episode, we break down Rule 9 from St. Ignatius’ 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits. We dive into the three core reasons God permits spiritual dryness: our own negligence, a test of our love, and a deep reminder that we are not the source of consolation—He is. We also get practical about how to recognize desolation, track your progress, and build a concrete Rule of Life that will anchor you in the battle. Whether you’re new to Ignatian discernment or well into your spiritual journey, this one will challenge and encourage you.

Timestamp Summary:

00:00 The Importance of Mental Prayer

01:24 Introduction to Spiritual Warfare and Discernment

02:06 Exploring the First Rule of Discernment

03:02 The Role of Dopamine and Temptation

04:18 The Importance of Spiritual Commitments

07:08 Principle Causes of Desolation

16:34 Creating a Rule of Life

18:37 Practical Tips for Maintaining Spiritual Health

27:43 Using Technology to Support Spiritual Practices

28:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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"