Tools to fight the Darkness

Everything has its opposite in this world. There would be no happiness if we didn't know what sadness was; there would be no excitement without the dull times; there would be no health without sickness and injury. The existance of many of these things brings sadness and heartache at times, but luckily we have a supreme being who is looking out for us who is ready to help us try and make the most out of life and find joy in our short existance here on this earth. The Hand of God can be found anywhere, anytime by those who take the time to look for it. Every single day, every single way that we can imagine, God is there, helping and protecting us and guiding us through our lives. But because of the reality of God and all of the absolute goodness, truth and light that he brings, there must also be an opposing force; one of evil, malice and darkness. We must acknowledge that if there is an absolute good, which is God, there must also be an absolute evil; Satan, or the Devil.

It is extremely important that we acknowledge his reality in our lives, and that we realize exactly what he can
do. Every minute of every day he is there, tempting us, telling us we are less than we truly are, trying to make us forget about our divine potential as sons and daughters of God. His sole purpose here in this world is to make every single one of us as miserable as he is and to drag us down to the depths of hell. Any time we tell a lie, make an ill-humored joke, make someone feel bad about themselves, steal, express anger or rage, or violate in any way any of the commandments of God, we are  losing control of ourselves and becoming his slaves by giving Satan power over us.

That's a pretty bleak picture I've just painted for you all; is all hope lost? No! God knows and acknowledges the existance of the devil as well, and he has given us the tools not only to know right from wrong, but to help us make the right choices as well. In the same way that turning a light on banishes the darkness, these resources God has given us to help us can cast out Satan where he is not welcome and help us return to the glorious light of the gospel.

The Scriptures

One of the best, most powerful weapons that we have in this fight against wickedness is the scriptures, God's revealed word to us through his holy prophets, both ancient and modern. God himself reveals countless ways over and over in which Satan will try to tempt or disuade us. Let's look at an example found in the book of Second Nephi, chapter 28 verses 20-22 in the Book of Mormon. This was once explained to me as kind of like Satan's gameplan, various ways which he will use to get us to not live up to our full potential:

 20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

One of the techniques Satan uses to get us to lose control of ourselves is anger. As natural people we anger so easily; every time anything doesn't go exactly the way we want we get angry. Roadrage when someone cuts us off; angry when someone leaves the dishes in the sink; angry when something costs more than we want; angry when people whistle or sing badly; angry when a coworker doesn't do something; angry when someone breaks something; angry when we feel we have been wronged in any way; the list goes on and on. What good comes of anger? I can't think of any. Anger is a tool that Satan uses to stir us up and make us become slaves to our passions and whims, losing control of who we really are. How much better would the world be if everyone chose to forgive instead of hold grudges? To smile instead of frown? To laugh instead of blame? To help instead of being annoyed? We don't need to be angry: God has taught us a better way, through his son Jesus Christ. Instead of being angry, we can be the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers.

 21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

When the Devil can't get us to sin outright, sometimes he changes tactics. Instead of "look at how good and awesome sin is!" it now becomes "you're so awesome, you're doing so good, you're such a spiritual person, you don't need to pray today... its pretty late to be reading the scriptures, why don't you go to bed instead... your church starts at 1:30? You're okay spiritually, you don't want to miss the football game!" Satan knows that for many of us, starting with the big sins is a mistake, as we will quickly realize that he is tempting us and turn away. Instead will get us to stop doing the things that have brought us this spiritual protection in the first place, giving him an opening over time. Satan is a very patient individual; he has our entire lives to wait for us (3 Nephi 18:18)
to mess up. We must be vigilant, and remember what Christ has taught us: "Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat."

22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

The classic philosophy and moral outlook of so many people these days: eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die! The thought that there are no consequences for our actions, that it doesn't matter what we do because there is no consequences for our bad actions. While on the surface this thought appears comforting, if we pause to think about it, this philosophy implies that there is nothing at all after this life, for if there is no Hell there is no Heaven either. There is nothing to look forward to, nothing better than this world, no reward awaiting the faithful. This philosophy that so many embrace nowadays is simply not true! The reality of the Devil and the fate that awaits all who choose to follow him instead of God are very real, as real as God and the reality of Heaven and the state of neverending happiness and bliss that awaits the faithful. Every action has a consequence, either for good or evil, eternal reward or eternal punishment.

Words of the Prophets

Another tool God gives us is modern day revelation. God has once again called living prophets and apostles to lead and guide his church here on the earth, the same as in days of old. Their words, when spoken under the influence of the spirit, are modern day scripture and of great worth to us all. Every 6 months members of the church gather from all over the world via television, radio, internet, and in person, to hear the words of living prophets and receive guidance in their lives in a special meeting called General Conference. In addition to this, every month their words are published in a church magazine known as the Ensign in English and the Liahona in all other languages. The counsel we receive is invaluable in our never-ending struggle against the forces of evil.

Prayer

On top of all that, there is always prayer. Prayer will never fail us in our times of need, and as we pray we Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work (D&C 10:5)." God will send his spirit to dwell with us and uplift and encourage us as we seek him diligently, shielding us from the fiery darts of the adversary. Prayer is also an invaluable way to seek personal revelation about how we need to live our lives, what we can improve on and how we can help others on their path to eternal life.
will receive additional strength to resist temptations and continue living in the light. God has said "


Although Satan is very real, he can only have as much power over us as we allow him to. God will do all he can to help us out and to guide us to the correct choices, but in the end it is up to us to "choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself (2 Nephi 2:27)."We have to make a conscious choice this day, who will we follow? In the words of a hymn by William C. Clegg:

Know this, that every soul is free

To choose his life and what he'll be,

For this eternal truth is given

That God will force no man to heaven.

He'll call, persuade, direct aright,

And bless with wisdom, love, and light,

In nameless ways be good and kind,

But never force the human mind.

               
No matter how strong the pull of the world and the thrill of sin and temptation may seem at times, don't give in! Pray unto God with all the energy of heart, and then choose to act and to shake off the power of the devil and be truly free. Come unto Christ and rejoice in his glorious gospel and find true freedom in his rest. He has said:


28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in eheart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28)

I know that as we gain more knowledge about God and also about the Devil through diligent prayer, scripture study and studying the words of modern day prophets, we will find true happiness and know which side of the conflict we are really on, in the name of Jesus Christ amen.