AC 9974 & 9978 - merit and fighting the hells

AC 9974
Those who believe that they merit heaven by the good which they do,
do goods from themselves, and not from the Lord.

AC 9978
Those who place merit in works
cannot fight against the evils which are from the hells,
for no one can do this from himself;
but the Lord fights and conquers
for those who do not place merit in works.