Even When The Devil Lies

Even When The Devil Lies or How To Overcome Addiction.

My comments are written as though I am writing to my grandchildren and I will quote many scriptures that are not in the Bible as well as many scriptures from the Bible. The other scriptures come from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, two books of scripture that come from God and are accepted as Standard Works, with the Bible, by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They can be found at lds.org.

Lucifer and one-third of the hosts of Heaven were cast down to this Earth (Revelation 12:4, 7-9). They remember everything that happened in the Premortal life while we come to earth with a veil of forgetfulness. They remember you (many were your friends) and like it says in my brother Rex’s patriarchal blessing* they know your weaknesses and will do everything in their power to destroy you. Their only joy, since following Lucifer, is to make you as miserable as they are. For Lucifer and his spirits the War in Heaven is still raging, only the battleground has changed – he is still fighting for control, but now he wants to control you and me. He and his spirits have a powerful weapon – it is ADDICTION. C. S. Lewis described this as “An ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure … to get the man’s soul and give him nothing in return” (The Screwtape Letters [New York: Bantum, 1995] p. 26).

ADDICTIONS come in many different forms: chemical, psychological, behavioral or a combination. They include: eating disorders, alcohol abuse, tobacco, coffee and tea, illicit and prescription drugs, gambling, pornography, and sexual addiction including homosexuality. Some people can be addicted on their first exposure. Addictions are designed by the adversary to take away our agency and bind us to him, so he can tell us there is no hope. Addicts begin by supposing they are more free than the rest of us and often they taunt us, trying to make us as miserable as they are. One day they will all discover they do not have the freedom they were preaching, instead they experience misery, weakness, doubt and pain.

Regardless of the Devil’s Lies and regardless of the power he exerts over many individuals on this Earth who choose evil rather than good, he will not win. He lost in the Pre-mortal battle and he will lose when Earth life is completed. Our Savior is the victor – all who use their agency to follow Him will have the power to choose good rather than evil. Robert L Simpson, a former General Authority for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints, once said, “sooner or later we all learn that it is easier to do good than to do evil”. I believe that statement is true because of the consequences that come from poor choices. Being good enough is not good enough anymore, today it is necessary to put on the full armor of God:

Let’s talk about that Armor, Paul speaks of it in Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 through 18, and Jesus speaks of it in the Doctrine and Covenants section 27, verses 15 through 18. Our first element of that Armor is: Faith in Jesus Christ – The Shield that quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked
Book of Mormon, Alma 37:33 “Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Faith in Jesus Christ removes doubt and brings confidence. You do not have to wonder if God is there for you – He has been there for your parents, your grandparents, and your great-grandparents. Listen to His own words: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Our Savior is always standing at our door, but he can only knock and speak quietly – we must open the door, we must invite Him in. If we never invite Him in, we could even think He is not there knocking and speaking, but I promise you He is. One of the easiest ways to invite Him into our lives is through daily scripture study with the purpose of learning of Him.

This shield of faith is not merely a piece of metal to be strapped to one arm, I envision it to be like a force field that surrounds our entire body deflecting all the fiery darts of the wicked: “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88)

Our second element is: Salvation – The Helmet that focuses our thoughts on our Savior
Book of Mormon, 2 Ne 25:26 “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins … 29 … Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out. 2 Ne 9:41… Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there;…for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.”

Isn’t it marvelous that each week the sacrament prayer reminds us that we willingly take upon us “the name of [the] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us]”(D&C 20:77). What a wonderful opportunity to focus our hearts and minds on our Savior, “the only name whereby salvation cometh” (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 5:8). Notice though, we are required to direct our minds and hearts to Him; again a use of agency on our part is required. If we will not direct our attention toward Him, we will never realize the blessing: “to always have His spirit to be with us”.

Imagine every time you place a cap on your head inviting your Savior to be with you. In fact, you could have a cap

sitting next to your bed and each morning and evening let that cap remind you to always remember your Savior and invite Him into your life.

Our third element is: The Sword of His Spirit
D&C 27:18 “And take… the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, … and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also.” D&C 20:77″… that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” 1 Cor 6:19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

The Spirit conveys all truth, without it we would be subject to the lies the Devil and his minions continue to whisper in our minds. We invite the Holy Ghost to direct us, with prayer: “I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:4&5) Prayer is the action required here. Each morning and evening invite Heavenly Father to send His Spirit to protect and teach you, then develop the ability to listen for the promptings of the Holy Ghost and learn to quickly follow the ‘still small voice’.

Our fourth element is: Having Your Loins Girt About With Truth
D&C 27:15 “Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.”

Since we don’t use the word loins very often, just think of your body from your waist to your ankles. Also as you put on your Sunday skirt or pants, think of putting on Truth; a shabby pair of pants (or skirt) could represent Lies not Truth. Knowing the difference between our best pair of pants and our shabbiest pair of pants is quite easy, but sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between Truth and Lies. Listen to what the Lord says: If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31 & 32)

Recognizing Truth requires continuing in the word – actions like keeping the commandments, obeying parents, church leaders and Prophets. “He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. .. Light and truth forsake that evil one… And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.” (D&C 93:28-40) When you hear of someone who has decided the Gospel isn’t true, pay attention to how they are living; you will find they have quit saying their prayers night and morning, they have quit reading the scriptures, or they are breaking other commandments.

Our fifth element is: Having on the Breastplate of Righteousness
Book of Mormon, Alma 5:16 “I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?” 1 Ne 22:26 “And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.”

Obedience to the commandments constitutes righteousness. Though verse 26 above is speaking of the Millennium it is still true that Satan has no power over those who dwell in righteousness, who obey the commandments. Imagine therefore, each day as you put on your shirt (breastplate), saying “today I will be obedient to every commandment and I will quickly obey my parents”. This action would help us to become like our Savior, to always remember Him – He was always obedient.

Our sixth and final element is: Having our Feet Shod With the Preparation of The Gospel of Peace
D&C 27:16 … and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

The Gospel of Peace brings happiness. Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27) Peace from addiction requires planning. In D&C 121:45 it says “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God”. What could be more peaceful than that, what could bring greater happiness? The key is to prepare for peace by letting virtue garnish your thoughts always – that means you must establish a habit that keeps you morally clean, maybe even two habits. One of Satan’s most powerful addictions in our day is pornography – it is all around you everyday. It is on TV, it is on the Internet, it is in the grocery store (magazine covers), it is so addicting that it is even in your own mind if you merely see an improper picture for a moment and dwell on it. So what is the habit that will save you from this addiction – It is TURN AWAY AND TURN IT OFF. Decide right now when the TV or the Computer presents anything that would offend the Spirit – TURN AWAY AND TURN IT OFF. Notice the order, TURN AWAY first, because the brain only has 3 seconds before it loses agency – 3 seconds is not enough time to try to TURN IT OFF if it is on the computer, since evil men have programmed those sites to go deeper into the pornography by doing the normal things to turn it off. Wicked people want you to stay watching longer than it takes for the brain to lose agency.

The other need is to have a place for your mind to go that is safe and emotionally satisfying. Select a hymn that inspires you and takes you into the presence of your Savior. My favorite hymn does that. It is A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, the last verse says, “then in a moment to my view the stranger started from disguise, the tokens in his hands I knew, the Savior stood before mine eyes, [I knelt] and my poor name He named, of me thou hast not been ashamed …” It speaks of being in the presence of the Lord as He calls you by name.

Daily Actions that Help You Keep Your Armor in place to overcome Satan’s Constant Attacks
-Read the Scriptures to develop and strengthen your Shield of Faith in Jesus Christ.
-Always Remember Him, this places firmly on your head the Helmet of Salvation, like a cap.
-Fervently Pray, many times each day, inviting the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, the Words of Christ, to guide and inspire you to treat your body as a Temple (modest and clean).
-When you put on your pants imagine putting into your heart Truth and Light, forsaking the Evil One.
-When you put on your shirt commit to Heavenly Father, “I will keep the commandments (be righteous) and quickly obey my Parents.”
-When you put on your shoes plan never to touch or view evil (to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint, D&C 89:18-21), and hum your favorite Hymn, thinking or singing the words.

Victory Over Addictions
Addictions are difficult to overcome, it is far easier never to start; never to touch a cigarette, or alcohol, or coffee or tea, or drugs, or gamble and never to view pornography. Decide right now never to touch any of these things: cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, tea, drugs, gamble or view pornography. When you once decide never to touch evil you have won; it only takes one decision that is firm and unwavering.

The people who end up with addictions are those who never make the decision not to touch those evils, who rationalize that it won’t hurt just once. But it does. Sometimes once is all it takes to become addicted. The only way for them to overcome is through Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember, He descended below all things so He would know how to succor His children. He is the only one who really knows and understands the suffering an addict endures. To get to where Christ can lift the burden, addicts often need help from others (even Professionals) – parents and Bishops can help find the necessary assistance when it is needed. Ultimately deliverance comes as a gift from our Savior, when an addict comes to understand the Love Jesus offers him (her) and gives their burden to Him, trusting in His Redeeming Love, willingly giving their will to him, holding nothing back, knowing without Him they can never be free. Often this deliverance comes only after an addict exerts all their powers to call upon God for that deliverance and only when they are ready to sink into despair and abandon themselves to destruction. But that submission opens the heart to deliverance.

More on addiction with examples can be found in Anne Osborn Poelman’s book, The Amulek Alternative, Deseret Book, 1997, chapter four.
*A Patriarchal Blessing is a blessing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints receive from an ordained Patriarch, an Evangelist.

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