--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The second cause whence these rebellions…" description: "\"“The second cause whence these rebellions sometimes proceed is the devil, who, in order to disquiet and disturb the soul, at times when it is at prayer..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/juan-de-la-cruz-44354_christianity_the-second-cause-whence-these-rebellions_2162790.jpg" --- # The second cause whence these rebellions sometimes proceed… ![“The second cause whence these rebellions sometimes proceed is the devil, who, in order to disquiet and disturb the soul, at times when it is at prayer or is striving to pray, contrives to stir up these motions of impurity in its nature; and if the soul gives heed to any of these, they cause it…” quote by Juan de la Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/juan-de-la-cruz-44354_christianity_the-second-cause-whence-these-rebellions_2162790.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/juan-de-la-cruz-44354_christianity_the-second-cause-whence-these-rebellions_2162790.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/juan-de-la-cruz-44354_christianity_the-second-cause-whence-these-rebellions_2162790.jpg) > ““The second cause whence these rebellions sometimes proceed is the devil, who, in order to disquiet and disturb the soul, at times when it is at prayer or is striving to pray, contrives to stir up these motions of impurity in its nature; and if the soul gives heed to any of these, they cause it great harm. For through fear of these not only do persons become lax in prayer—which is the aim of the devil when he begins to strive with them—but some give up prayer altogether, because they think that these things attack them more during that exercise than apart from it, which is true, since the devil attacks them then more than at other times, so that they may give up spiritual exercises.”” [Juan de la Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-de-la-cruz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The devil distracts the soul during prayer, causing fear and neglect of spiritual practice. **In simple terms:** Distractions harm spiritual focus. Key Takeaway Guard against mental disturbances in prayer. Themes spirituality temptation discipline Mood reflective serene Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal meditation - religious study - spiritual retreats - daily prayer Key Concepts devil fear prayer inner conflict Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize subtle distractions? - What practices strengthen focus? A Different Perspective Overcoming distraction requires conscious awareness and perseverance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cause Rebellions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cause-rebellions-4596456/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Devil Attacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil-attacks-4596457/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Prayer Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-aim-1052511/) [Prayer Striving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-striving-4596458/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Spiritual disciplines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-disciplines/) [Spiritual warfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-warfare/) [Spiritual-exercises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-exercises-175798/) [Striving Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/striving-pray-4596459/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) [The devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-devil/) ## Related quotes > [“I swear to you, you're missing the whole point of the Jesus Prayer. 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