And the LORD said unto him,
By what means?
And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said,
You shall persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
Read Chapter 22
Caesarius of Arles
AD 542
Perhaps someone says, “How can it happen that one who sins in his flesh by dissipation possesses the devil in his soul?” What we have said, dearly beloved, we will prove with evidence from sacred Scripture. Listen to the Scriptures saying that the proud person is filled with the devil: “Everyone who exalts his own heart is unclean in the sight of God,” and “All pride is the beginning of falling off from God.” What does it mean to fall from God, except to depart from him? Moreover, if a person is separated from God, he is necessarily united to the devil. Furthermore, Scripture says that the envious person cannot be without a devil: “By the envy of the devil, death came into the world, and they follow him that are of his side.” The canonical writings attest no less that the fornicator is also enslaved by the devil, for the prophet says, “You have been deceived by the spirit of fornication.” The fact that no liar can be without an evil spirit is evidenced by Scripture, too: “You will dest...
Go forth, and do so. This was not a command, but a permission; for God never ordaineth lies, though he often permitteth the lying spirit to deceive those who love not the truth, 2 Thessalonians ii. 10. And in this sense it is said in the following verse, the Lord hath given a lying spirit in the mouth of all thy prophets. (Challoner)
What is translated in the imperative, denotes frequently what will come to pass, though it be displeasing to God. (Calmet)
He permits it, therefore, only by not exerting his power to prevent the execution. (Haydock)
The devils can do nothing without such a permission. Achab deserved to be deceived by the false prophets, as he would not hearken to a true one. (St. Augustine, contra Jul. v. 4., and q. 53. inter. 83.)
Go forth, and do so: This was not a command, but a permission: for God never ordaineth lies; though he often permitteth the lying spirit to deceive those who love not the truth. 2 Thess. 2. 10. And in this sense it is said in the following verse, The Lord hath given a lying spirit in the mouth of all thy prophets.
