Overcoming the Battles within Ourselves
Whatever temptations you might be facing, Heavenly Father can help you overcome them.
Elder Melvin J. Ballard (1873–1939) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once taught that “the greatest conflict that any man or woman will ever have … will be the battle that is had with self.”1
Each one of us knows the personal weaknesses, temptations, and challenges that we have to face internally day by day. But we might not even notice sometimes the adversary’s intentions or sneaky attacks that can make overcoming those weaknesses more difficult for us.
Luckily, stories from the Book of Mormon can empower us to overcome our weaknesses or temptations by giving us more insight into the enemy’s intentions. For example, viewing the Lamanite military leader Zarahemnah as a representation of Satan, in Alma 43:8 we read, “For behold, [Satan’s] designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.”
Since the adversary doesn’t have the blessing of a body, he wants us to abuse ours. Just as he tempted the Lamanites to act in anger, he tempts us with things like alcohol, pornography, drugs, and infidelity. Those things cause us to misuse our sacred gifts and lessen our freedom and capacity for joy.
The adversary has no chance for redemption and seeks for all of us to be “miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). And he wants us to remain in a fallen state, shut out of God’s presence for eternity. President Russell M. Nelson recently said, “Many, if not most, of the temptations [the adversary] puts in our path cause us to abuse our bodies or the bodies of others. Because Satan is miserable without a body, he wants us to be miserable because of ours.”2
So, taking this into account, what can we do to win against Satan when he throws temptations our way?
We can find guidance in Elder Ballard’s words: “The man or woman who is taking neither spiritual food nor spiritual exercise will presently become a spiritual weakling, and the flesh will be master. Whoever therefore is obtaining both spiritual food and exercise will be in control over this body and will keep it subject unto the will of God.”3
To win that “fight for our soul,” we have to nourish and strengthen our spirit so it will always be stronger than the weaknesses of the flesh. And as we increase in love, understanding, peace, fidelity, purity, faith, and the capacity to hear the voice of the Lord, we will be more prepared for the temptations Satan throws at us (see Alma 43:21; 1 Nephi 14:14)—we will have a protection that he and his armies do not.
To win this battle over our souls with Satan, we need Heavenly Father’s guidance that comes through the voice of His Spirit, who can speak to our minds and hearts (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3). Elder Larry Y. Wilson of the Seventy taught:
“Nephi’s powerful promise is that ‘whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and … hold fast unto it … would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.
“… We cannot just do and think what others are doing and thinking; we must live a guided life. We must each have our own hand on the iron rod. Then we may go to the Lord with humble confidence, knowing that He ‘shall lead [us] by the hand, and give [us] answer to [our] prayers’” (emphasis added).4
Heavenly Father’s arm is extended to all of us. Sometimes when we struggle, it can seem like the adversary is winning the battle and we’ll never be able to control or overcome our weaknesses or temptations. But as we seek the Lord’s guidance and learn to hear and recognize His voice and influence—as we continue to turn to Him, even with our imperfections—He will help us find the light and prevail.
It’s just like when the Nephites found themselves losing a battle before their enemies. They “cried unto the Lord” (see Alma 43:49–50), and He heard their prayers and helped them find victory in battle.
As we constantly seek His help, no matter how strong those darts of the enemy are or how intense the temptations he sends, they won’t have any power over us as we rely on the voice of the Spirit, and we too will win the battle—the battle inside ourselves to choose God and to keep His commandments (see Helaman 5:12).