The Assaults of Bad Angels on Men

To tempt means one of two things: (a) to make a test or trial; thus “God tempted Abraham” (Gen. 22:1); (b) to invite, incite, or allure someone to sin. It is in the second sense of the word that the fallen angels tempt human beings. God permits this assault of the demons upon men, and turns it into a human opportunity and benefit; God gives to men all requisite aid tore pulse the assaults of demons, and to advance in grace and merit by resisting temptation.

To the devil (who is the fallen Lucifer, now Satan)belong exclusively the plan and campaign of the demons’assaults upon mankind.

In one way the devil is the cause of every human sin;he tempted Adam and thus contributed to the fall which renders men prone to sin. But, in a strict sense, diabolical influence does not enter into every sin of man. Some sins come of the weakness ofhuman nature and from inordinateness of appetites which the sinnerfreely allows to prevail.

Angels cannot perform miracles; therefore demons cannot. But demons can do astonishing things, and can occasion realhavoc.

When the assault of demons is repulsed, the devil isnot rendered incapable of further attack. But it seems that he cannot return immediately to the assault, but only after the lapse of a definite time. God’s mercy as well as the shrewdness ofthe tempter, seems to promise so much.