Does the principality of evil really exist
as power or influence, as a system, a principle, or an embodying force which struggles
for the souls of men. Many of us are "scientific" in our viewpoint on
life. We say to ourselves, "Oh,
there is no such thing as spirits, demons, or the like”.
Permit me to show you that there is. Intellectually, I think, I have already presented
a good argument for the existence of such a power by describing the techniques
which are utilized by everyone in "his" service. If you can admit that you have been tempted
to make a mistake, then you must also see that the power that we know as temptation
contains a kind of influence - also a knowledge of your weaknesses. It is to those weaknesses that this power
calls.
To admit that you erred, is to admit that
you have been tempted or deceived. To
admit that you have been conquered in this way, is to admit also that there is
a force or an intelligence that knows the weaknesses that exist within you -
and knows how to subjugate them. We do not recognize, or see, the power which
is moving in us until we are shifted from the protection of what is true within
ourselves. We then fall under the kingdom
of this strange power. We do not admit
to an allegiance to this force, because it is too horrible to see
Pride refuses to admit being conquered, or
else it must admit to the existence of what is higher than itself. Then it could not be "proud" and
would suffer the hopeless existence. We all make mistakes; yet, we will rarely
admit those mistakes. We draw upon a
power to justify those compulsions. As long as we proudly justify that weakness,
to cover our shame, and not repent of that weakness, we continue to be controlled
and unfold from evil. Yet, as we unfold,
we must not see the controlling principality.
