The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 73
The Four Ways of Satan’s Temptation
'Verily I say unto you, that if Satan shall try whether ye be friends of God—because no one assaileth his own cities,—if Satan should have his will over you he would suffer you to glide at your own pleasure; but because he knoweth that ye be enemies to him he will do every violence to make you perish. But fear not ye, for he will be against you as a dog that is chained, because God hath heard my prayer.'
John answered: 'O master, not only for us, but for them that shall believe the gospel, tell us how the ancient tempter layeth wait for man.'
Jesus answered: 'In four ways tempteth that wicked one. The first is when he tempteth by himself, with thoughts. The second is when he tempteth with words and deeds by means of his servants; the third is when he tempteth with false doctrine; the fourth is when he tempteth with false visions. Now how cautious ought men to be, and all the more according as he hath in his favour the flesh of man, which loveth sin as he who hath fever loveth water. Verily I say unto you, that if a man fear God he shall have victory over all, as saith David his prophet: "God shall give his angels charge over thee, who shall keep thy ways, so that the devil shall not cause thee to stumble. A thousand shall fall on thy left hand, and ten thousand on thy right hand, so that they shall not come nigh thee."'
'Furthermore, our God with great love promised to us by the same David to keep us, saying: "I give unto thee understanding, which shall teach thee; and in thy ways wherein thou shalt walk I will cause Mine eye to rest upon thee."'
'But what shall I say? He hath said by Isaiah: "Can a mother forget the child of her womb? But I say unto thee, that when he forget, I will not forget thee."'
'Tell me, then, who shall fear Satan, having for guard the angels and for protection the living God? Nevertheless, it is necessary, as saith the prophet Solomon, that "Thou, my son, that art come to fear the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptations." Verily I say unto you, that a man ought to do as the banker who examineth money, examining his thoughts, that he sin not against God his creator.'
'Truly, I tell you that Satan will test whether you are friends of God, for no one attacks his own cities. If Satan had his way with you, he would allow you to drift along at your pleasure. But because he knows that you are his enemies, he will use every violence to make you perish. Do not be afraid, however, for he will be like a chained dog against you, because God has heard my prayer.'
John answered: 'O master, for the sake not only of us but also of those who will believe the gospel, tell us how the ancient tempter lies in wait for man.'
Jesus answered: 'That wicked one tempts people in four ways. First, he tempts them directly through thoughts. Second, he tempts them through the words and deeds of his servants. Third, he tempts them with false doctrine; and fourth, with false visions. How cautious people must therefore be, especially since he has human flesh on his side, which loves sin as a feverish person loves water. Truly, I tell you that whoever fears God will overcome them all, as his prophet David says: "God will command his angels concerning you, and they will guard your ways so that the devil does not cause you to stumble. A thousand will fall at your left hand and ten thousand at your right, but they will not come near you."'
'Furthermore, through the same David our God lovingly promised to guard us, saying: "I will give you understanding to teach you, and I will keep my eye upon you in the paths where you walk."'
'But what can I say? He has said by Isaiah: "Can a mother forget the child of her womb? But I tell you that even if she forgets, I will not forget you."'
'Tell me, then, who should fear Satan when the angels are his guards and the living God his protector? Nevertheless, as the prophet Solomon says, "My son, when you come to fear the Lord, prepare your soul for temptations." Truly, I tell you that a person should examine his thoughts as a banker examines coins, so that he does not sin against God his Creator.'
'Verily I say unto you, that if Satan shall try whether ye be friends of God—because no one assaileth his own cities,—if Satan should have his will over you he would suffer you to glide at your own pleasure; but because he knoweth that ye be enemies to him he will do every violence to make you perish. But fear not ye, for he will be against you as a dog that is chained, because God hath heard my prayer.'
John answered: 'O master, not only for us, but for them that shall believe the gospel, tell us how the ancient tempter layeth wait for man.'
Jesus answered: 'In four ways tempteth that wicked one. The first is when he tempteth by himself, with thoughts. The second is when he tempteth with words and deeds by means of his servants; the third is when he tempteth with false doctrine; the fourth is when he tempteth with false visions. Now how cautious ought men to be, and all the more according as he hath in his favour the flesh of man, which loveth sin as he who hath fever loveth water. Verily I say unto you, that if a man fear God he shall have victory over all, as saith David his prophet: "God shall give his angels charge over thee, who shall keep thy ways, so that the devil shall not cause thee to stumble. A thousand shall fall on thy left hand, and ten thousand on thy right hand, so that they shall not come nigh thee."'
'Furthermore, our God with great love promised to us by the same David to keep us, saying: "I give unto thee understanding, which shall teach thee; and in thy ways wherein thou shalt walk I will cause Mine eye to rest upon thee."'
'But what shall I say? He hath said by Isaiah: "Can a mother forget the child of her womb? But I say unto thee, that when he forget, I will not forget thee."'
'Tell me, then, who shall fear Satan, having for guard the angels and for protection the living God? Nevertheless, it is necessary, as saith the prophet Solomon, that "Thou, my son, that art come to fear the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptations." Verily I say unto you, that a man ought to do as the banker who examineth money, examining his thoughts, that he sin not against God his creator.'