Through much experience with spirits, I have learned that persuasion contrary to the feelings is of no avail whatsoever. For very often my heart has been moved by some feeling, and meanwhile, spirits as well as angels would coax, saying that this should be done, and not that; but as long as I was still gripped by that feeling, their coaxing could have no effect whatsoever, as I even told them in response on several occasions. Also this, that if the feeling shifted only a little, then at once my mind was changed, and I would yield to the persuasion. From this and from many actual experiences, I was enabled to learn that all persuasion contrary to one's loves can achieve absolutely nothing. This is the reason why those spirits who are demons, who operate through the passions, are the most dangerous. On the other hand, the angels' way of working is to bend minds toward good through the feelings, the Lord so directing. 1748, 5 February.