The Catholic Book Blogger
St. Clement of Alexandria tells us that even the devil can speak the truth when it suits his purposes. It’s a hard thing to learn, but we have to judge the message by its content, not by the messenger.
It’s true that the main purpose of the pruning hook is pruning. But we also use it to separate twigs that have got tangled, and to cut the thorns that have grown along with the vines when they’re not very easy to reach. All these things have to do with pruning.
In the same way, we are made principally for the knowledge of God. But we also measure land, practice agriculture, and philosophize. The first promotes life, the second living well, and the third the study of things that can be demonstrated.
Now, let those who say that philosophy was invented by the devil know this, that the Scripture says the devil is transformed into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). What is he doing when he’s transformed into an angel of light? Plainly he’s about to prophesy. But if he prophesies as an angel of light, he will speak what is true. If he prophesies what is angelical, what belongs to the light, then he prophesies what does us good when he is transformed into an angel of light—even though he is not really an angel of light, but an apostate. How could he deceive anyone, unless he drew the lover of knowledge into fellowship with him, and then drew him into falsehood afterwards? We’ll find that he knows the truth—he may not understand it, but he is not ignorant of it.
So philosophy is not false, even if it is a thief and a liar who speaks the truth by changing the way he works. And we should not condemn what is said on ac- count of who says it (though we have to keep that in mind in the case of those who claim to be prophets now). We have to look at what is said to see whether it sticks to the truth. –St. Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, 6.8
IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
How easily do I accept the truth from someone I don’t like? How do I know how to recognize the truth even when it comes from the mouth of a demon?
CLOSING PRAYER
Remember, Lord, all who rightly interpret the Word of your truth. Send your angels to protect them from the deceit of the evil one.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In