The Spirit of God comes with gifts to INfuse
Which the spirit of evil would have me REfuse
Whose will I choose
For strength?

The Spirit of Jesus prefers to EXcuse (1)
While the spirit of “Satan” just loves to ACcuse (2)
Whose will I choose
For mercy?

The Spirit of Truth only truths will DIffuse
Which the spirit of lies will but twist to CONfuse
Whose will I choose
For clarity?

The Spirit of heav’n will unite and ENthuse
While the spirit of hell will divide and ABuse
Whose will I choose
For fellowship?

The first, like a drop on a “sponge”, sweet and gentle (3)
The second, a drop on a “rock”, sharp and loud
Whose will I choose
For direction?

God’s Life-giving Spirit will shake up the stray (4)

And sting so to bring to repent and amend

But the spirit of death will distract and delay

In hopes that his prey go astray in the end

Whose will I choose

Today?

*****
(1) “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do” -Lk 23:34
(2) “Satan” means “Accuser”
(3) “In those who are making progress in the spiritual life, from good to better, the good angel touches the soul gently, tenderly, and sweetly, as a drop of water entering a sponge, but the evil spirit touches it sharply, with noise and agitation, like a drop of water hitting upon a rock.” (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises)
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/the-sponge-and-the-rock/

(4) “For people who have closed themselves off from God’s grace, the good spirit disturbs and shakes up. It stirs feelings of remorse and discontent. The purpose is to make the person unhappy with a sinful way of life. On the other hand, the evil spirit wants such people to continue in their confusion and darkness. So the evil spirit tries to make them complacent, content, and satisfied with their distractions and pleasures”

From: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/introduction-to-discernment-of-spirits/

See St. Ignatius’ Rules for Discernment: https://sacred-texts.com/chr/seil/seil79.htm