Shepherd of Hermas 33

1He says, “I commanded you in the first commandment to keep faith and fear and self-control.” “Yes, lord,” I say. “But now,” he says, “I also want to make known to you their powers, so that you may understand what power and activity each of them has. For their activities are twofold; so they are set over the righteous and the unrighteous. So you—trust the righteous, but do not trust the unrighteous; for righteousness has a straight path, but unrighteousness a crooked one. But you, walk on the straight [and level] path, and leave the crooked.

2For the crooked path has no tracks, but pathless places and many stumbling blocks; and it is rough and thorny. Therefore it is harmful. But hear also the works of the other way. First of all, if there should come upon you a quick temper or bitterness, know that he is in you. Then come desire for many activities, and extravagance in many foods and drinks, and many drunken sprees, and various luxuries, and things that are not fitting; and desire for women, and greed, and arrogance, and boastfulness, and whatever things are akin and similar to these. Therefore, whenever these things rise up in your heart, know that the angel of wickedness is with you.

3So when you recognize his works, withdraw from him and put no trust in him, because his works are wicked and harmful to God’s servants. You therefore have the activities of both angels; understand them, and trust the angel of righteousness. But withdraw from the angel of wickedness, because his teaching is wicked in every deed. For if someone is a faithful man, and the thought of this angel rises up in his heart, that man or woman must commit some sin. But if again some man or woman is very wicked, and the works of the angel of righteousness rise up in his or her heart, that person must of necessity do something good. You see then,” he says, “that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness, and to renounce the angel of wickedness. As to faith, this commandment makes it clear: that you should trust the works of the angel of righteousness, and, having done them, live to God. But believe that the works of the angel of wickedness are grievous; so by not doing them, you will live to God.”