Lesson #10 in the Spencer W. Kimball manual this year was “Fortifying Ourselves against Evil Influences.” What a timely message – I truly believe each of these lessons was inspired for our day.
The lesson begins with a quote from President Kimball, in regard to our fight against Satan, which “is not a little skirmish with a half-willed antagonist, but a battle royal with an enemy so powerful, entrenched and organized that we are likely to be vanquished if we are not strong, well-trained, and watchful.”
This military-type vocabulary really brought it home to me that, yes, this is a war, and it’s very real.
We head into the lesson with President Kimball’s affirmation that the devil is very real. The world would have us view him as a legend, but this is not the case. He is an individual spirit being who desires to seal each of us his, just as our Heavenly Father desires us to return to His kingdom. The devil is alert, looking for those who are unwary, careless, or rebellious.
We are taught that even the very elect may be deceived. I notice that President Kimball used the word “careless.” Even if we are trying to be righteous, we can slip in our diligence and be led off onto treacherous paths. Satan uses justification and employs many shades of gray. He camouflages his designs, his cunning ploys to lead us astray. He uses all five senses, luring us with things that look good, taste good, and feel good.
Another direct quote: “The adversary is subtle. He is cunning. He knows that he cannot induce good men and women to do major evils immediately, so he moves slyly, whispering half-truths until he has his intended captives following him.”
How can we withstand this spiritual attack?
We must have the help of the Savior Himself. The one sure way to be safe from Satan’s plan is to heed the teachings of the Gospel. This does not mean we won’t be tempted – this means we’ll be better able to withstand it. As we put on the whole armor of God and prepare to fight the battle that is laid before us, we can depend on the Holy Ghost to guide us so we might know the truth.
We must not yield to enticement, even the smallest temptations. We don’t leap into sin, we edge into it, one step at a time, as we justify ourselves. “This one little bit won’t hurt.” But soon we’re in over our heads. The devil cannot open a locked door. But if we let him in just a little bit, soon he will take over completely.
Jesus Christ never rationalized. He did not allow sin in the slightest. While tempted on the mountain, He told Satan to get hence, not listening to any of the enticement. This is the pattern we must follow if we are to remain free, and we must make the decision now that we will never succumb to that which would destroy us. If we make the decision today, when we are tested tomorrow, we won’t have to stop and weigh the options. We’ll already know what we are going to do.
Satan is very real, but so is our Savior, Jesus Christ, and He will help us to overcome any temptation, trial, and tragedy.
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Jesus Christ: My Savior, My Lord