246. [249.] 109. People who are caught up in the delight of a love of commanding cannot become spiritual. They become carnal for the reason that they immerse every element of their affection and consequent thought in their native character, which in itself is carnal and evil, to the point that they cannot be withdrawn from their native character. Everyone who in heart acknowledges God is elevated above his native character, for it is impossible for a person from his native self to look to God, acknowledging Him in his heart. Moreover, to one who cannot be elevated above his native character, heaven is closed; and because it is through it that intelligence flows in from the Lord, so it is that when heaven is closed, such people become stupid and virtual fools.