ACC ~ Matthew 4 v11

THE PERMISSION TO TEMPT

ANONYMOUS: He did not say, “The angels descended and ministered to him,” so he might show that the angels were always on earth to minister to him. Rather at the Lord’s behest they withdrew from him so that the devil might have room to work against Christ. If the devil were to see angels around him, he might not approach him. In this same way the devil comes invisibly to tempt the faithful. There are two permanent angels with each one of us—a good angel and a bad one. As long as the good angel is with us, the bad angel can never lead us into temptation. According to God’s dispensation, however, the good angel may draw back somewhat. Well, he does not exactly draw back but hides himself, making himself invisible to the devil. For unless the good angel wishes to be recognized, he is not seen by the devil. He therefore withdraws, that he might give the devil an open space in which to tempt, and then he waits for the temptation to transpire. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 5. [1]

[1] PG 56:671.