The Devil Changes his Clothes

Elpidio Pezzella
Aug 3
3 min read

“ If God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

2 Timothy 2:25-26 NKJV

The medieval image of the devil with horns and a tail, armed with a pitchfork and dressed in red is a distant memory that still finds a home in minds out of step with the times, prey to popular imagination and overly trusting of those who embody a dangerous referential religiosity. We readers of the Bible, believers who have left spiritual milk and moved on to solid food, are called to discern a diabolical and infernal presence elsewhere, despite all the sadness we may feel when it manifests itself even in those who wear religious garb. We will never cease to be scandalized, it is true, because beyond the biblical warnings we remain confident in human beings in general, and as such we find it extremely difficult to conceive of the possibility of certain behaviors. Yet we must take into account the possibility that some will end up “in the devil's snare,” as Paul points out to the young Timothy, and be vigilant beyond any illusory presumption of a spiritual nature. If it happened to the disciples twice, in the persons of Peter and Judas, why could it not happen again? It would suffice to devote a little time to the historical events of the Church to change one's mind.

I would be indignant, as well as disappointed and mortified as a believer, spiritual guide, parent, and citizen, for all those events that drive many away from the faith, those who have not yet put down roots. Yet the same events can strengthen the faith and increase the discernment of the more mature, who are capable of conceiving that the devil can sneak in anywhere, even among religious people. I hope I will not be misunderstood, and for this reason I prefer to avoid possible details. The world news speaks for itself. I will limit myself to pointing out that the devil and his emissaries, “the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12), constantly renew their wardrobe, skillfully adapting it to countries and circumstances. This explains how he can take on the guise of the “religious man of the moment,” who extorts sex in the name of exorcism, offering his flesh to free the oppressed spirit, or presents himself as a repressed, dissatisfied man ready for anything. My God liberates, never deprives or oppresses! Elsewhere, the devil wears the clothes of a trusted acquaintance who turns into an executioner, who abuses and rapes. Not to mention the head of state who does not disdain bombing defenseless people, spilling innocent blood mercilessly in the streets. In every way, he is “a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). Where there is deception or attempted deception, he is always there, being “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Faced with this hellish ability to change his clothes and manage to be where one would not expect him to be, many choose to be blind, out of shame or convenience, out of fear or simply indifference, ignoring his actions to the detriment of many. Who knows if today the blind Bartimaeus would still ask to regain his sight? I consider the condition of those who have eyes to see and close them or turn away to be similar to that of Jesus' interlocutors: “Why do you not understand what I say? Because you cannot hear my words. You are children of the devil, who is your father, and you want to carry out your father's desires” (John 8:43). I try to raise my feeble voice for someone who is losing the light of faith, losing the sure guidance of Scripture, and becoming a beggar for the meaning of existence. The warning of the parable of the sower is raised for us, lest we forget that “then comes the devil and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12). For this reason, we must intensify our sowing, without growing weary or distracted. The Lord gave his disciples the power to cast out unclean spirits and, in sending them out, he told them not to take two tunics (Matthew 10:10). Let our clothing be recognizable and honorable, not worn for convenience or necessity, because although the habit does not make the monk, it is by the habit that he is recognized.