One of Satan's favorite tricks is to constantly whisper bad things to my mind. He sends forth insidious suggestions, and then when I valiantly reject them time after time, he sends one more thought, more insidious than all the rest. My what a bad person you must be, he says, to be imagining such things!
Get out of town, Satan. I don't listen to you anymore. "It is an enticing, intriguing voice with dulcet tones. It is neither hard nor discordant. No one would listen to Satan’s voice if it sounded harsh or mean. If the devil’s voice were unpleasant, it would not entice people to listen to it." (James E. Faust, The Great Imitator)
The truth is, I'M NOT THE SOURCE OF THOSE THOUGHTS! Satan is the one constantly talking in one ear.
“For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil”
(Alma 5:40).
Being aware of the devil is so much better. He would like to operate in secret and have you think that all the gross stuff he suggests is YOU talking. Keep an eye on him. As Paul said, “lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11).
Satan tells you That YOU are naturally a fallen, perverted person who WANTS that sort of thing. The truth is the opposite! We are sons and daughters of God! I think the Lord is pleased with me, because I try hard to repent, and I keep His commandments.
It's refreshing that Satan is ALWAYS working on us, EVERY day. We can always expect there to be new tricks and traps. There's ALWAYS something to look out for.
So, what's to be done about these insidious, constant voices?
The great truth is, WE ARE IN CONTROL!
James E. Faust teaches that, "we need not become paralyzed with fear of Satan’s power. He can have no power over us unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will retreat."
Satan must grow frustrated if we persist in doing what's right, even in the face of powerful suggestions and temptations.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7)
Now, that's a comforting thought. Also comforting is James E. Faust's promise that "he cannot know our thoughts unless we speak them."
"The humble followers of the divine Master need not be deceived by the devil if they will be honest and true to their fellow men and women, go to the house of the Lord, receive the sacrament worthily, observe the Sabbath day, pay their tithes and offerings, offer contrite prayers, engage in the Lord’s work, and follow those who preside over them."
What are some strategies for keeping the devil at bay?
We can determine not to heed him. Satan, fortunately, is currently only the enemy of our souls. He cannot physically terrorize us, unless we allow him access to our bodies, or he enlists the aid of a mortal servant. But like Lehi pressing forward towards the tree, we can heed them not.
Notice what Nephi and the others were doing that gave them this option. They were partaking of the fruit of the tree! (the love of Jesus Christ.)
So, let's not spend the whole of our days FLEEING OMGOODNESS THE DEVIL WHAT IS HE UP TO NOW. Let us keep the Savior and our Father's Love firmly fixed in our minds. That will guide us through the mists of darkness which must surely arise.
Get out of town, Satan. I don't listen to you anymore. "It is an enticing, intriguing voice with dulcet tones. It is neither hard nor discordant. No one would listen to Satan’s voice if it sounded harsh or mean. If the devil’s voice were unpleasant, it would not entice people to listen to it." (James E. Faust, The Great Imitator)
The truth is, I'M NOT THE SOURCE OF THOSE THOUGHTS! Satan is the one constantly talking in one ear.
“For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil”
(Alma 5:40).
Being aware of the devil is so much better. He would like to operate in secret and have you think that all the gross stuff he suggests is YOU talking. Keep an eye on him. As Paul said, “lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11).
Satan tells you That YOU are naturally a fallen, perverted person who WANTS that sort of thing. The truth is the opposite! We are sons and daughters of God! I think the Lord is pleased with me, because I try hard to repent, and I keep His commandments.
It's refreshing that Satan is ALWAYS working on us, EVERY day. We can always expect there to be new tricks and traps. There's ALWAYS something to look out for.
So, what's to be done about these insidious, constant voices?
The great truth is, WE ARE IN CONTROL!
James E. Faust teaches that, "we need not become paralyzed with fear of Satan’s power. He can have no power over us unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will retreat."
Satan must grow frustrated if we persist in doing what's right, even in the face of powerful suggestions and temptations.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7)
Now, that's a comforting thought. Also comforting is James E. Faust's promise that "he cannot know our thoughts unless we speak them."
"The humble followers of the divine Master need not be deceived by the devil if they will be honest and true to their fellow men and women, go to the house of the Lord, receive the sacrament worthily, observe the Sabbath day, pay their tithes and offerings, offer contrite prayers, engage in the Lord’s work, and follow those who preside over them."
What are some strategies for keeping the devil at bay?
We can determine not to heed him. Satan, fortunately, is currently only the enemy of our souls. He cannot physically terrorize us, unless we allow him access to our bodies, or he enlists the aid of a mortal servant. But like Lehi pressing forward towards the tree, we can heed them not.
Notice what Nephi and the others were doing that gave them this option. They were partaking of the fruit of the tree! (the love of Jesus Christ.)
So, let's not spend the whole of our days FLEEING OMGOODNESS THE DEVIL WHAT IS HE UP TO NOW. Let us keep the Savior and our Father's Love firmly fixed in our minds. That will guide us through the mists of darkness which must surely arise.
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