President George Q. Cannon spoke a… warning voice to the Saints: “We… do not sufficiently realize the importance of keeping guard upon ourselves, and upon our feelings, and of resisting the influences that surround us… There are influences in the atmosphere that are invisible to us that, while we are here upon the earth, we ought to resist with all our might, mind, and strength… influences that are opposed to the Spirit of God…. If our eyes were opened to see the spirit world around us, we should feel differently on this subject than we do: we would not be so unguarded and careless, and so indifferent whether we had the spirit and power of God with us or not; but we would be continually watchful and prayerful to our heavenly Father for His Holy Spirit and His holy angels to be around about us to strengthen us to overcome every evil influence.” (Journal of Discourses 11:29-30) see also 1 Peter 5:8-9
No one likes to admit that the ‘devil made me do it’. In reality he only has that power with me as I let him!… another reason to make Christ my master under all circumstances. My choices can increasingly be in favor of Christ’s teachings, his purposes through me. President Canon spoke of temptations that can seem, at times, ‘uncontrollable’ to me, such as controlling my tongue (and/or driving) under all circumstances. He speaks of unseen influences perpetrated upon me. They come from the one third of the hosts of heaven who were cast down to the earth because of their rebellion against God and Jesus Christ [i] Revelation 12:7-9 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/12.7-9?lang=eng#6). I see around me many who adopt those worldly ways that deny the discipline and thus blessings that Christ can enrich into their lives.
I shut down the influence from above through the company I keep, the noise against my spirit which I choose to listen to, the idle pastimes taken to excess, careless or deliberate choice to do what ‘feels good’ short term, instead of what is good for my eternal spirit, nature, and opportunity. kdm
