Divine Truths to Help You Live by the Spirit II, Continuing from a previous writings by Richard G. Scott (deceased:)
There is a vast difference between how Satan works and how the Lord works. If you understand these very simple things, you won’t have any difficulty facing the challenges that come into your life.
Satan says there is no absolute truth. You make decisions on the basis of circumstances. That pattern of rationalization—that is, taking something that is not true and twisting it so that appears true—is his way to destroy you. The Lord says there is absolute truth. It is unchanging. You can count on it. You live your life on that foundation and you will not have any difficulty.
Satan says “there is no God. No one is going to help you. Reach out and get all that you can for yourself. That’s the only way to really make it in this life.” The Lord says, “Serve others. There is a God.” I witness that he lives.
“Through repentance, we can correct even the most serious transgressions.” He has said, “He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this you may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold he will confess them and forsake them” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:42-43).
Satan will attempt to reach you at your weakest point. Resist that temptation, and you will gain strength. Then he will try to tempt you at another point. Resist him, and you will gain strength, and he will become weaker. Then you can say, “Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Luke 4:8).
What happens when we overcome challenges? We grow in strength. Now, that doesn’t mean that we ought to go out and seek to be tempted. We ought to avoid temptation. But when we can’t avoid it, we ought to overcome it. Let me give you some examples of what I mean.
In college I was given the privilege of joining a very elect honorary engineering society. As I attended the initiatory activities, everyone was drinking. I asked for a soft drink and was given a glass. As I raised it to my lips I could smell alcohol. I looked around the room. All eyes were on me. These were professionals who had just given me a great honor. Should I pretend to drink so as not to offend? No, I set the glass down and noticed three other inductees also set their glass aside. Do what is right and the others will follow your example. Every time you make the right choice in the face of potential criticism, you build strength that makes it easier the next time. The reverse is also true. Satan counts on that. (Continued. . . ~~~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” Deseret Book , Salt Lake City. 21 Principles pg. 86-88 continued
