In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor reflect on the immense power of the sacraments in the Christian battle. Far from being optional devotions or familiar religious routines, the sacraments are concrete channels of divine grace given to strengthen, heal, and protect the faithful. Dr. Thigpen explains how baptism delivers a soul from the kingdom of darkness and brings it into the kingdom of Christ, while reconciliation loosens the enemy’s grip through forgiveness and healing. The Eucharist places the believer at the heart of Christ’s victorious sacrifice, and confirmation deepens the power of the Holy Spirit within the soul for spiritual combat.

The conversation also highlights the grace of the anointing of the sick, matrimony, and holy orders, showing how each sacrament has a unique role in spiritual warfare. Whether strengthening the sick against fear and despair, fortifying marriage and family against division, or equipping priests and bishops to serve and protect the flock, the sacraments reveal that the Christian life is not lived alone or unarmed. Dr. Thigpen presents spiritual warfare not as a narrow subject limited to extraordinary experiences, but as a way of understanding the whole life of grace. This episode is a powerful reminder that the Church’s sacramental life is one of the greatest treasures given to believers in the struggle against evil.

A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer.

Dr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Chapter 4:

The weapon of the sacraments Christ has given the seven sacraments to His Church as channels of grace into our lives. That grace is powerful to transform us into the image of Christ and to see us safely home to heaven. No wonder, then, that the Devil hates the sacraments and tries to keep us from receiving them. They, too, are weapons of our warfare, each one with a special power to protect us and to send the demons away from us.

The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here

Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. 

Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges.

In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.

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In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Kris McGregor and Dr. Paul Thigpen shift the focus from the enemy to the great help God has given His people in the battle. Dr. Thigpen reflects on Jesus Christ as the victorious commander who has already conquered Satan through His Passion, death, and Resurrection. Because of Christ’s triumph, Christians do not fight from fear or uncertainty, but from hope and confidence. The conversation highlights the power of Sacred Scripture in spiritual warfare, especially the words of Christ and the witness of St. Paul and St. John, which strengthen the soul to resist accusation, doubt, and intimidation.

The episode also explores the heavenly and earthly comrades who accompany Christians in the struggle. Dr. Thigpen speaks beautifully about the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose humility crushes the pride of the ancient serpent, the saints who intercede as seasoned veterans of the spiritual battle, and the holy angels who guard and assist the faithful. He also gives needed attention to the support of fellow Christians, reminding listeners that no one is meant to fight alone. Through prayer, encouragement, wise counsel, and shared faith, the Body of Christ protects and strengthens its members. This is a deeply consoling episode that reminds us the battle is real, but so is the communion of help God has placed around us.

A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer.

The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here

Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. 

Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges.

In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.

The post POA5 – Know Your Commander and Comrades – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor turn to the subject of extraordinary demonic activity and the Church’s response to it. Dr. Thigpen explains the distinctions often made between infestation, oppression, obsession and possession, while carefully stressing that these realities are far less common than ordinary temptation and must never be approached in a sensational or reckless way. He emphasizes the wisdom of the Church in requiring discernment, medical evaluation when needed and the guidance of trained priests and appointed exorcists. This conversation helps listeners understand that knowledge of the battle is important, but curiosity or spiritual bravado can open the door to serious danger.

At the heart of the episode is a strong call to humility, order and trust in Christ’s authority working through His Church. Dr. Thigpen and Kris McGregor reflect on the difference between prayers that ask God for deliverance and those that directly address demonic powers, underscoring why authority matters in spiritual warfare. The discussion also highlights the strength given through baptismal identity, the sacraments, sacramentals, Scripture, prayer and the protection of the domestic church. The tone remains deeply hopeful throughout. Christians are not left helpless before evil. Christ has given His people real spiritual weapons and the Church stands ready to help those who suffer, always drawing them back toward healing, freedom and wholeness in Him.

A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer.

The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here

Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. 

Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges.

In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.

The post POA4 – Extraordinary Activity – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor continue their reflection on the Christian’s ongoing struggle with temptation. Even though Satan has already been decisively defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the spiritual battle continues in this present age as a time of testing, purification, and growth in holiness. Dr. Thigpen explains that temptation, in its most common form, is often subtle, ordinary, and persistent. Rather than dramatic manifestations, the enemy more often works through quiet suggestions, lies, doubts, distortions and discouragements meant to turn the soul away from trust in God.

A central focus of this conversation is the importance of vigilance over the mind and senses. Dr. Thigpen describes how images, memories, wounds, and inner accusations can be manipulated by the enemy through deception and misinterpretation. Drawing on St. Francis de Sales and St. Ignatius of Loyola, the episode highlights how so-called “little temptations” can gradually form habits that shape the soul toward either vice or virtue. Yet the tone remains deeply hopeful. Scripture, prayer, humility and devotion to Our Lady remain powerful helps in resisting the enemy’s stealth and in strengthening the heart for faithful perseverance. Listeners are reminded that the battle is real, but so is the grace that leads to victory.

A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer.

The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here

Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. 

Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges.

In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.

The post POA3 – Temptation – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor deepen the conversation by reflecting on St. Paul’s call in Ephesians to “put on the armor of God.” Dr. Thigpen explains that spiritual warfare is not reduced to a few prayers or techniques, but is bound up with the whole Christian life. Growth in holiness, communion with God, and the cultivation of virtue form the true armor of the disciple. Faith, hope, love, humility, and wisdom are not abstract ideals. They are concrete protections that help the soul resist the lies, temptations, and assaults of the enemy. The closer one draws to God, the less power deception has over the heart.

The episode also takes up the difficult but necessary question of why God allows the devil to tempt and afflict human beings. Drawing from Scripture, St. Augustine, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Vianney, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Dr. Thigpen shows that God permits temptation not for our destruction but for our strengthening, purification, and deeper reliance on grace. Listeners are encouraged to use the Word of God as Christ did in the desert, to persevere in prayer, and to take refuge in Our Lady, whose obedience and maternal aid remain powerful in the spiritual battle. This conversation is sober but filled with hope, reminding us that the enemy is real, but Christ has conquered, and the faithful are never left defenseless

A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer.

The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here

Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. 

Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges.

In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.

The post POA2 – Why does God allow evil? – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this opening conversation of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Kris McGregor and Dr. Paul Thigpen begin by addressing a truth too often ignored in modern Christian life: the reality of spiritual warfare. Dr. Thigpen explains that many people live unaware that a battle for the soul is taking place, even while Sacred Scripture clearly warns the faithful to remain sober, watchful, and steadfast against the attacks of the devil. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and his own experience, he speaks candidly about the danger of dismissing the existence of Satan and the demons, especially when Jesus Himself confronted and cast out demonic powers during His earthly ministry.

This episode also lays an important foundation for understanding the difference between ordinary temptation and more extraordinary forms of demonic activity. Dr. Thigpen explains who demons are, how they work through deception and temptation, and why discernment, virtue, and fidelity to Christ are essential in resisting them. The conversation is both sober and hopeful. While the enemy is real, the greater truth is that Christ has already won the victory. For the Christian, spiritual warfare is never about fear but about living under the authority of Jesus Christ, using the weapons God has given His Church and trusting that “greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.”

A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer.

The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here

Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. 

Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges.

In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.

The post POA1 – Know Your Enemy – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Thigpen offers insights into the Manual for Spiritual Warfare Chapter 1:

God is infinitely more powerful than the Devil and his hosts. So why doesn’t God prevent them from their evildoing on planet earth? We could ask a similar question about why God doesn’t stop human beings from committing wicked deeds. Evil’s continuing presence among us is a mystery we can’t fully figure out in this life.

The post POA2 – Why Does God Allow Evil? – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare Chapter 1:

Like it or not, you are at war.

No matter who you are — whether or not you know it — you have a mortal enemy who wants to destroy you, not just in this life, but in the next.

No matter where you live on this planet — whether or not you can see it — you live on a hotly contested battlefield, and you can’t escape the conflict.

It’s a spiritual war with crucial consequences in your everyday life. And the outcome of that war will determine your eternal destiny.

The first rule of any type of warfare is to know your enemy. How can you fight an adversary you can’t identify? Worse yet, how can you avoid being a casualty in a battle going on all around you if you don’t even recognize that you’re in danger?

The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here.

Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., is the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul has published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. 

Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977 summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with Distinction in the Major of Religious Studies. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993 he was named as a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges.

In 2008 Paul was appointed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to their National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He has served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.

The post POA1 – Know Your Enemy – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hears Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts, Dr. Matthew Breuninger examines the nature and causes of our wounds. Finding Freedom in Christ outlines a six-step model to help readers identify and remove the barriers to God’s healing grace—making deeper conversion possible. Ultimately, the goal of this healing model is to free individuals to love and serve God and one another.

You can find the book here.

From the book description:

We all have wounds. We all experience the emotional suffering that arises when we’re prevented from receiving or giving love as we were created to. As we orchestrate our lives to hide our wounds and avoid the discomfort of having them irritated, we end up creating anxiety, unhappiness, exhaustion, anger, and a sense of meaninglessness. The good news is that God wants to heal us!

The post IP#482 Dr. Matthew Breuninger – Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts, Dr. Matthew Breuninger examines the nature and causes of our wounds. Finding Freedom in Christ outlines a six-step model to help readers identify and remove the barriers to God’s healing grace—making deeper conversion possible. Ultimately, the goal of this healing model is to free individuals to love and serve God and one another.

You can find the book here.

From the book description:

We all have wounds. We all experience the emotional suffering that arises when we’re prevented from receiving or giving love as we were created to. As we orchestrate our lives to hide our wounds and avoid the discomfort of having them irritated, we end up creating anxiety, unhappiness, exhaustion, anger, and a sense of meaninglessness. The good news is that God wants to heal us!

The post IP#481 Dr. Matthew Breuninger – Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.