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Objection 1: It would seem that we were not delivered from the power
of the devil through Christ's Passion. For he has no power over
others, who can do nothing to them without the sanction of another.
But without the Divine permission the devil could never do hurt to any
man, as is evident in the instance of Job (1,2), where, by
power received from God, the devil first injured him in his
possessions, and afterwards in his body. In like manner it is stated
(Mt. 8:31,32) that the devils could not enter into the swine
except with Christ's leave. Therefore the devil never had power over
men: and hence we are not delivered from his power through Christ's
Passion.
Objection 2: Further, the devil exercises his power over men by
tempting them and molesting their bodies. But even after the Passion
he continues to do the same to men. Therefore we are not delivered
from his power through Christ's Passion.
Objection 3: Further, the might of Christ's Passion endures for
ever, as, according to Heb. 10:14: "By one oblation He hath
perfected for ever them that are sanctified." But deliverance rom the
devil's power is not found everywhere, since there are still idolaters
in many regions of the world; nor will it endure for ever, because in
the time of Antichrist he will be especially active in using his power
to the hurt of men; because it is said of him (2 Thess. 2:9):
"Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power,
and signs, and lying wonders, and in all seduction of iniquity."
Consequently it seems that Christ's Passion is not the cause of the
human race being delivered from the power of the devil.
On the contrary, our Lord said (Jn. 12:31), when His
Passion was drawing nigh: "Now shall the prince of this world be
cast out; and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all
things to Myself." Now He was lifted up from the earth by His
Passion on the cross. Therefore by His Passion the devil was
deprived of his power over man.
I answer that, There are three things to be considered regarding the
power which the devil exercised over men previous to Christ's
Passion. The first is on man's own part, who by his sin deserved to
be delivered over to the devil's power, and was overcome by his
tempting. Another point is on God's part, whom man had offended by
sinning, and who with justice left man under the devil's power. The
third is on the devil's part, who out of his most wicked will hindered
man from securing his salvation.
As to the first point, by Christ's Passion man was delivered from
the devil's power, in so far as the Passion is the cause of the
forgiveness of sins, as stated above (Article 1). As to the
second, it must be said that Christ's Passion freed us from the
devil's power, inasmuch as it reconciled us with God, as shall be
shown later (Article 4). But as to the third, Christ's Passion
delivered us from the devil, inasmuch as in Christ's Passion he
exceeded the limit of power assigned him by God, by conspiring to
bring about Christ's death, Who, being sinless, did not deserve to
die. Hence Augustine says (De Trin. xiii, cap. xiv): "The
devil was vanquished by Christ's justice: because, while discovering
in Him nothing deserving of death, nevertheless he slew Him. And it
is certainly just that the debtors whom he held captive should be set at
liberty since they believed in Him whom the devil slew, though He was
no debtor."
Reply to Objection 1: The devil is said to have had such power over
men not as though he were able to injure them without God's sanction,
but because he was justly permitted to injure men whom by tempting he
had induced to give consent.
Reply to Objection 2: God so permitting it, the devil can still
tempt men's souls and harass their bodies: yet there is a remedy
provided for man through Christ's Passion, whereby he can safeguard
himself against the enemy's assaults, so as not to be dragged down
into the destruction of everlasting death. And all who resisted the
devil previous to the Passion were enabled to do so through faith in
the Passion, although it was not yet accomplished. Yet in one
respect no one was able to escape the devil's hands, i.e. so as not
to descend into hell. But after Christ's Passion, men can defend
themselves from this by its power.
Reply to Objection 3: God permits the devil to deceive men by
certain persons, and in times and places, according to the hidden
motive of His judgments; still, there is always a remedy provided
through Christ's Passion, for defending themselves against the
wicked snares of the demons, even in Antichrist's time. But if any
man neglect to make use of this remedy, it detracts nothing from the
efficacy of Christ's Passion.
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