Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 189
with his thought, like other spirits, but enter into his body, and
occupy all his senses, and speak through his mouth, and act
through his members, believing at the time that all things of
the man are theirs. These are the spirits that obsess man. But
such spirits have been cast into hell by the Lord, and thus
wholly removed; and in consequence such obsessions are not
possible at the present time. 182
182. External or bodily obsessions are not permitted at the present time,
as they were formerly (n. 1983).
But at present internal obsessions, which pertain to the mind, are
permitted more than formerly (n. 1983, 4793).
Man is inwardly obsessed when he has filthy and scandalous thoughts
about God and the neighbor, and is withheld from making them known only
by external considerations, which are fear of the loss of reputation, honor,
gain and fear of the law and of loss of life (n. 5990).
Of the devilish spirits who chiefly obsess the interiors of man (n. 4793).
Of the devilish spirits who long to obsess the exteriors of man; that such
are shut up in hell (n. 2752, 5990).