Divine Truths to help you live by the Spirit
From Richard G. Scott (deceased) and his book: Divine Truths to Help You Live by the Spirit:
Satan’s temptations are as a two edged sword— we can be overcome by them or we can resist and gain enough strength until we can declare, “get thee behind me Satan.”
SATAN KNOWS THAT CORRECT PRINCIPLES, when observed consistently, will render an individual increasingly resistant to his temptations. He has developed a comprehensive plan to undermine or destroy each one of them. For example, to dispose of faith, Satan would plan and cultivate in us seeds of selfishness. He knows that left unchecked, these seeds will grow into a monster that can enslave the divine spirit of man. Selfishness is at the root of sin. It leads to unrighteous acts that can debauch and deprave the human soul. It reinforces destructive habits that produce a dependence on chemical and physical stimulants that destroy the mind and body. Satan’s program is based on immediate gratification of selfish desires. He urges us to participate now and pay later. However, the full, terrible consequences of payment are never revealed until it is tragically late. The Spirit of the Lord can overpower the stifling effect of selfishness. The cherished Spirit comes with faith, repentance, obedience, and service.
So that you will be forewarned, I will show you how Satan works. Let us imagine a boundary line, and assume on one side of this boundary are all the good things that can be done. They are arranged so that they are better and better as one moves farther from the boundary. On the other side are all the things that can be done. They go from bad to worse. At the boundary it is difficult to discern what is right and what is wrong. This is where Satan tries to tempt righteous people. It is a twilight zone where you cannot clearly discern between what is good and what is bad, so it is easy to become confused. Live well within the area of good, and you won’t have any problems with temptation.
I have never been sorry on any occasion when I stood for what is right—even against severe criticism. As you learn that truth, you will also discover that when you have taken a determined stand for right, when you have established personal standards, you will be reinforced and given strength beyond your own capacity if that is needed. Difficulty comes when you enter the battle of temptation without a fixed plan. That is what Satan desires, for then you are ripe for defeat. ~~~Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . .(deceased) . . . . from his book; “21 Principles, Divine Truths to Help You Live by the Spirit” (Continued)
