How do we earn the Lord's protection against temptation?
How do we strengthen our spiritual defenses? (These will turn into green light behaviors.)
How do we weaken our spiritual defenses? (These will turn into yellow and red light behaviors)
Here is a scripture that sums up my experiences with temptation perfectly.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and said unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
~Matthew 26:40-41
This is often why we succumb to temptation. I am willing to obey the Lord's commandment, but the natural man's urging overcomes my resistance, and I transgress. My flesh is weak.
Nephi experienced this mortal tendency towards transgression. He lamented,
Why should I yield to sin because of my felsh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
~2nd Nephi 4:27
The flesh is fallen, and will always be weak. There will always be a pull towards laziness, impurity, and apathy. It is through strengthening the spirit that we gain power to do what is right.
Perhaps the best way to get spiritual strength is to ask for it. In D&C 62:1, we read that Jesus Christ is "your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted."
How do we strengthen our spiritual defenses? (These will turn into green light behaviors.)
How do we weaken our spiritual defenses? (These will turn into yellow and red light behaviors)
Here is a scripture that sums up my experiences with temptation perfectly.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and said unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
~Matthew 26:40-41
This is often why we succumb to temptation. I am willing to obey the Lord's commandment, but the natural man's urging overcomes my resistance, and I transgress. My flesh is weak.
Nephi experienced this mortal tendency towards transgression. He lamented,
Why should I yield to sin because of my felsh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
~2nd Nephi 4:27
The flesh is fallen, and will always be weak. There will always be a pull towards laziness, impurity, and apathy. It is through strengthening the spirit that we gain power to do what is right.
Perhaps the best way to get spiritual strength is to ask for it. In D&C 62:1, we read that Jesus Christ is "your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted."
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