All temptations appear to be evil because they are inner feelings of anxiety and distress, and of seeming condemnation. For at such times a person is thrown into a state involving their own evils, as a consequence of which they are in the midst of evil spirits who make accusations and thereby torment their conscience.

But the angels still protect us, that is, the Lord does so through the angels. The Lord preserves in us a sense of hope and trust, which are fighting strengths from within that enable us to offer resistance. The natural [self] is particularly subjected to temptations when it is to receive the spiritual, for in it [still] reside evils of life.  (Swedenborg, Secrets of Heaven 6907)

This led me to my favorite section of the Psalm 119:

Your Word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

I have sworn and confirmed

That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

I am afflicted very much;

Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word.  (Psalm 119: 105 - 107)

Have you ever wondered why the Word is first a lamp to our feet before it enlightens our path?  The light of the Word first has to shine on the condition of our natural life (feet) before it can offer hope of conversion to spiritual life.  I love the thought that the "natural self is particularly subjected to temptations when it is to receive the spiritual."  How comforting!  Yes, by it my iniquities are laid bare...but so that (with the help of the Lord and the angels) they might be identified, resisted, and ultimately overcome.  Which reminds me of another favorite:

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.  (Psalm 33: 22)

Love and Peace,

Ethan