A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion/Chapter 26
XXVI. Temptations.
THE removal of evils, together with the pleasures and delights attending them, in consequence of their being deeply implanted in the human mind, cannot be effected without interior pain, distress, and anxiety. Such interior pain is called temptation; and if the objects which occasion it be spiritual, the temptation is then spiritual; but if the objects which occasion it be worldly, the temptation is then merely natural, and is more properly called anxiety. In spiritual temptation there is a conflict or combat between the heavenly kingdom and the infernal kingdom in man, that is, between good and evil, with an endeavour on the part of each to gain the dominion over the other. This conflict is carried on by evil spirits on the one hand, who excite and cherish in man his evil affections, and by good spirits on the other hand, who excite and cherish in him his good affections: during which conflict the Lord fights for man, and also gives him the power of co-operating with him, and thus of resisting evil as of himself, while still he acknowledges, that all his help is from the Lord alone.
In this way a check is given to self-love, and the love of the world, which are the two sources, from which all evil and falsehood take their rise. Hereby also man is more distinctly taught the difference between good and evil; and, by the relation subsisting between these two opposite principles, he learns to know, that of himself he is nothing but evil, and that all the good he possesses is the gift of the Lord with him. But as it is impossible for him to support the conflict that takes place between good and evil, in a state of temptation, without the means provided for that purpose by the Lord, which are the truths of faith derived from the Word, therefore no one is admitted into this spiritual warfare, until he is initiated into the knowledges of truth and good, and has thereby acquired some degree of heavenly life. Consequently no man is admitted into spiritual temptations, until he is arrived at years of maturity, and by the exercise of his own free judgment capable of resisting evil as of himself. This was represented in the Israelitish church by the males from twenty years old and upward being ordered to go forth to war, but not those who were under that age; man, about this period of life, being generally capable of exercising his own judgment and determination, but not before. (See Numb. i. 2, 3, 18, &c. Chap. xxvi. 2, 4.)
The effect of temptation is, that the dominion of good over evil, and of truth over falsehood, is established in the human mind; truth also is confirmed, and united with good; the external man is brought under subjection to the internal man; the power of selfish and worldly love is reduced; and the concupiscences thence derived are kept in continual restraint. When these purposes are accomplished, a superior degree of illumination takes place, together with a sensible increase of benevolence in the disposition, and man daily advances in understanding, wisdom, and love.
