AC 7122 - The Combat for Our Soul

AC 7122

. . . before truths and goods can appear,
and the person can then be associated
with those who are in heaven,
it is necessary that these evils and falsities be uncovered,
so that he may see them and know them,
and thus learn what is true and what is good.
This cannot possibly be done
without combat with the evils and falsities in himself;
which combat takes place actually,
the evil spirits exciting falsities and evils,
and the angels excusing if the end has been good,
and instilling truths.
This is perceived as if it were in himself,
as is the case with temptation in a person,
which is felt no otherwise than as being in him,
when yet it is
the combat of angels with evil spirits outside of him.