Moses showed us how to overcome Satan's insidious temptations. (1) Remember your true identity as a child of God. (2) Be persistent. (3) Rely upon the Savior; He has power over the devil.
No More Desire to Do Evil
It's wonderful to discipline ourselves to do what's right, but God has promised something better. He has promised to change our desires. As we draw closer to Jesus Christ, He fills our lives with light, and there is less and less room for darkness.
Traps and Snares
Amulek explained to the lawyers in Ammonihah that they were laying "traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God." The devil lays snares for us, preying on our feelings of inadequacy, imperfection, and guilt. We escape those snares by relying on God.
God Will Prepare a Way
God allows us to be tempted, but He also provides a way for us to overcome temptations. He gives us assignments, but He also prepares a way for us to fulfill them. The surprises in our lives don't surprise Him, and He's ready to help us through them.
Carnally Minded
Prophets have used the word “carnal” to describe a mindset that is unduly dominated by our physical appetites. We are first and foremost spiritual beings. Our carnal nature is not our true identity. We can govern it with God's help.
Sculpture of Lehi’s Dream
Three characters in my Uncle Paul's sculpture of Lehi's dream are particularly striking: the man on the left looking up with determination, the individual running toward the mocking crowd, and the woman lending a helping hand to a person in need.
Neither to the Right Hand nor to the Left
As Moses prepared his people to enter the promised land, he warned them multiple times not to turn "to the right hand or the left," but to stay focused on keeping God's commandments (Deuteronomy 5:32, 17:11, 20, 28:14). After Moses' departure, the Lord reiterated this charge to Joshua, who extended it again to the Israelites... Continue Reading →
Overcoming Temptation: Lessons from David and Corianton
We are all tempted. Lehi taught that there is a devil and that he "seeketh that all men might become miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). Alma identified Zeezrom's combativeness as "a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people" (Alma 12:6). And King Benjamin warned his people, "beware lest... Continue Reading →
“A Little Sin” – 2 Nephi 28:8
The prophet Nephi identified two common strategies the devil uses to tempt us: Strategy #1: Don't worry about the future. Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.2 Nephi 28:7 (See also Isaiah 22:13, Luke 12:16-21.) It is good... Continue Reading →
Wisdom > Cunning
During His visit to the American continent, the Savior quoted most of Isaiah 52, including this passage: Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:Isaiah 52:13-14 (See 3 Nephi 20:43-44.) In... Continue Reading →