I think Ambrose’s analysis of the origin of evil does not take into account the powers and principalities that Scripture addresses. That notwithstanding, the good bishop reminds us to take seriously the evil that resides in each of us and to acknowledge our responsibility in allowing evil a pathway to manifest itself in God’s good world to corrupt and despoil it (and us). There is way too little of that acknowledgement going on in our culture today and it results in more disorder and chaos.

During this season of Lent with its emphasis on self-examination and repentance, we would be wise to reflect on what Ambrose has to say and ask the Lord to help us vanquish the evil that is in each of us by the power of his Holy Spirit. We must do our sweat equity, of course, but our sweat equity will be for nothing without help from the Lord (cf. Psalm 121.1-8). This is a worthy project for anyone who claims himself to be a Christian, both during Lent and every day of our life, because this work will take a lifetime. See what you think.

If evil is not something that has no principle from which it springs, as is the case of the uncreated Being; and if it is not something that God has made, where does it come from? For no wise person will deny the existence of evil in this world. We are all familiar with the evil of death. But from what we have said it is evident that evil is not a living substance. It is a pervasion of mind and spirit, swerving from the way of true virtue, which frequently overtakes the unwary.

We see also that the greater danger does not come from outside us. It comes from our very selves. The enemy is within us. Within us is the progenitor of our error; within us, I say, dwells our adversary. Hence, we must examine our aims, explore the habits of our minds, be watchful over our thoughts and over the desires of our heart.

You yourself are the cause of your wickedness. You yourself are the commander of your shameful acts, and the instigator of your crimes. Why blame another agent as an excuse for your own faults? Oh! that you would not incite yourself, that you would not rush heedlessly on, that you would not entangle yourself in immoderate endeavors, or in indignation and passionate desires, for these hold you captive as in nets.

Most certainly it belongs to us, and we are able to moderate our endeavors, to restrain our anger, to curb our desires. But we can also yield to wantonness, foster evil passions, inflame our anger or give ear to those who incite to anger, become puffed up with pride, or give in to fits of anger instead of humbly lowering ourselves and lovingly practicing gentleness.

Hence, why should we accuse “nature”? There are impediments in nature; there is old age and infirmity. But both have also advantages: old age brings more friendly manners, gives more useful counsels, inspires more readiness to accept death, and helps curb evil passions more easily. The weakness of the body too has as counterpart the sobriety of mind. Hence, the Apostle says: “When I am powerless, it is then I am strong.” Accordingly, he gloried in his infirmities, and not in his powers. And there came to him the luminous and salutary answer that “in weakness power is made perfect.”

Let us therefore not seek for causes outside ourselves nor blame others for them. Let us acknowledge our guilt. For we must willingly attribute to ourselves, not to others, whatever evil we can avoid doing when we so choose.

—Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (4th Century), The Six Days of Creation 1.31-32