Against Heresies: Book V

THUS: the Lord clearly shows that it was the true Lord and the one God who had been revealed by the law; for the one whom the law proclaimed as God, Christ identified as the Father, whom the disciples of Christ alone should serve. Through the statements of the law, He completely confounded our adversary; and the law instructs us to praise God the Creator, and to serve Him alone. Because of this, we must not look for another Father besides Him, or above Him, since there is one God who justifies the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.

For if there were any other perfect Father above Him, Christ would not have defeated Satan by means of His words and commandments. One ignorance cannot be eliminated by another ignorance, just as one defect cannot be corrected by another defect. If, therefore, the law results from ignorance and defect, how could the statements within it nullify the ignorance of the devil and conquer the strong man? For a strong man can be defeated neither by an inferior nor by an equal, but only by one with greater power.

But the Word of God is superior above all, as loudly proclaimed in the law: “Hear, O Israel, your God is one God;” and, “You shall love your God with all your heart;” and, “Him shall you adore, and Him alone shall you serve.” Then in the Gospel, overturning the apostasy with these expressions, He both overcame the strong man by His Father’s voice, and He acknowledges the commandment of the law to express His own thoughts, when He says, “You shall not tempt your God.” For He did not confuse the adversary by citing anyone else, but by using the words of His own Father, and thus overcame the strong man.

HE TAUGHT BY HIS COMMANDMENT THAT WE WHO HAVE BEEN SET FREE SHOULD: when hungry, take the food given by God; and that when placed in the exalted position of every grace that can be received, we should not be lifted up with pride either by trusting in works of righteousness or by being adorned with super-eminent gifts of service, nor should we test God, but should feel humility in all things, and remember the saying, "You shall not test your God." As the apostle also taught, saying, "Do not concern yourselves with high things, but be content with lowly things," we should not be ensnared by riches, worldly glory, or present desires, but should understand that we must "worship your God, and serve Him alone," and ignore him who falsely promises things not his own, when he says, "All these will I give you, if, falling down, you will worship me." For he himself admits that to adore him and do his will is to fall from the glory of God.

And in what thing either pleasant or good can that person who has fallen take part in? Or what else can such a person hope for or expect, except death? For death is the closest companion to him who has fallen. Hence it follows that he will not give what he has promised. For how can he make grants to him who has fallen? Moreover, since God rules over men and him too, and without the will of our Father in heaven not even a sparrow falls to the ground, it follows that his claim, "All these things are delivered to me, and to whomsoever I will I give them," comes from him when puffed up with pride.

For creation is not subjected to his power, since he is himself just one among created things. Nor will he give away the rule over men to men; but all other things and all human affairs are arranged according to God the Father’s will. Besides, the Lord declares that "the devil is a liar from the beginning, and the truth is not in him." If then he is a liar and the truth is not in him, he certainly did not speak the truth, but a lie, when he said, "For all these things are delivered to me, and to whomsoever I will I give them."