AC 2183 - When There Is Conflict Between Our Rational and the Natural

AC 2183 [2-4]

. . .  most people do not know
that every person possesses
an internal, a rational, and a natural,
and that these three
are quite distinct and separate from one another,
so distinct in fact that one can be at variance with another.
That is to say, the rational,
which is called the rational person,
can be at variance with the natural,
which is the natural person;
indeed the rational person is able to see and perceive
evil that is in the natural,
and if it is a genuine rational,
is able to correct it.
Before these two have been joined together
a person is unable to be whole
or to experience the serenity of peace,
since the one is in conflict with the other.
For the angels present with a person
govern his rational,
while the evil spirits present with him
govern his natural -
and this gives rise to conflict.

 If in this conflict the rational prevails,
the natural is placed in subjection,
and the person is thus endowed with conscience;
but if the natural prevails,
he is not able to receive any conscience at all.
If the rational prevails,
his natural becomes as though it too was rational;
but if the natural prevails,
the rational becomes as though it too was natural.
In addition, if the rational prevails,
angels draw nearer to that person,
implanting within him charity,
a celestial quality
which comes through the angels from the Lord;
and at the same time
the evil spirits move some distance away from him.
But if the natural prevails,
the angels move further away,
that is, more towards his interiors,
and the evil spirits draw nearer to the rational,
constantly attack it,
and fill the lower parts of his mind
with forms of hatred, revenge, deceit, and the like.
If the rational prevails,
the person enters into the serenity of peace,
and in the next life into the peace of heaven;
but if the natural prevails,
though during his lifetime he seems to experience serenity,
he enters in the next life into the unrest and torment of hell.

From these considerations
one may know the nature of a person's state
so far as his rational
 and so far as his natural are concerned.
There is nothing else
 that can bring him blessing and happiness
except the conformity of his natural to the rational
when both are joined together.
This is achieved solely by means of charity;
and charity originates wholly in the Lord.