ACC ~ Mark 3 v11

THE ABSENCE OF CHARITY IN DEMONIC CONFESSION

AUGUSTINE: Both the devils and the faithful confessed Christ. “Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God,” [1] said Peter. “We know who thou art. Thou art the Son of God,” [2] said the devils. I hear a similar confession, but I do not find a similar charity. In one there is love, in another fear. He is lovely to those who are sons. He is terrible to those who are not sons. ON THE PSALMS 50.2. [3]

[1] Mt 16:16.

[2] Mk 3:11; Lk 4:41.

[3] Cetedoc 0283, 38.49.2.40; NPNF 1 8:178. Even when beholding and confessing Christ, the demonic powers lacked charity. The devils may believe and tremble, but they do not respond in love.

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE

AUGUSTINE: The “faith that works by love,” [1] is not the same faith that demons have. “For the devils also believe and tremble,” [2] but do they love? If they had not believed, [3] they would not have said: “You are the holy one of God” or “You are the Son of God.” [4] But if they had loved, they would not have said: “What have we to do with you?” [5] LETTER 194, TO SIXTUS. [6]

[1] Gal 5:6.

[2] Jas 2:19.

[3] The demons believed in the sense that they believed that he was Son of God, yet not so as to trust in his grace.

[4] Mk 3:11-12; Lk 4:34, 41.

[5] Mt 8:29; Mk 5:7; Lk 8:28.

[6] Cetedoc 0262, 194.57.3.185.5; FC 30:308-9*.