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Divisive Demons

  • SAINT TERESA OF ÁVILA

God deliver you from the peace of many kinds that worldly people have.  


gargoyle4 May he never allow us to try it, for it brings perpetual war.

When such persons of the world remain quiet, while going about in serious sin, and so tranquil about their vices, for their consciences don't feel remorseful about anything, their peace, you have read, is a sign that they and the devil are friends.  While they live, the devil does not wage war against them.  For bad as they are they would then return to God somewhat, not out of love for him but so as to flee from this war.

Those who would act in such a way would never persevere in serving God.  Soon, since the devil understands this, he would again give them delight in their pleasure and they would return to their friendship with him, until he has them in that place where he shows them how false their peace was.  There is no reason to speak of these persons here; let them worry about it, for I hope in the Lord that so much evil will not be found among you.  But the devil could begin to offer you another peace in small things, and always, while we live,...we must fear.  

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dividertop

Acknowledgement

Saint Teresa of Ávila. "Divisive Demons." Meditations on the Song of Songs, cited in The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. II, Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D., and Otilio Ridriguez, O.C.D. Trs. (Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1985).

Reprinted with permission of the publisher.

This excerpt appeared in the October 2015 issue of Magnificat.

The Author

avilaavila1 Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), also called Saint Teresa of Jesus was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Doctor of the Church, Carmelite nun, author during the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. She was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross. She is the author of Interior Castle, The Way of Perfection, and Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila.  Her collected works can be bought here, here, and here

Copyright © 1985 ICS Publications