14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth a deceiving the nations—
15 Wherefore he that (1)prayeth, whose (2)spirit is a contrite, the same is b accepted of me if he (3)obey mine c ordinances.
16 He that (4)a speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose (5)language is meek and b edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances.
17 And again, he that (6)trembleth under my power shall be madea strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and b wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.
18 And again, he that is overcome and a bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.
19 Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall a know the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens.
PATTERN OUTLINE:
1. Pray -
Communicate with Heavenly Father and turn to our Savior regularly and honestly. Remaining checked in with God is most powerful in keeping Satan checked out.
Communicate with Heavenly Father and turn to our Savior regularly and honestly. Remaining checked in with God is most powerful in keeping Satan checked out.
2. Contrite Spirit -
Having a recognition of our desperate need for what only the Lord can give, relying on Him and letting Him in even when sometimes we don't want to. Otherwise Satan has room to tell us to rely on ourselves, or to use other tools that will only hurt us.
Having a recognition of our desperate need for what only the Lord can give, relying on Him and letting Him in even when sometimes we don't want to. Otherwise Satan has room to tell us to rely on ourselves, or to use other tools that will only hurt us.
3. Obey Ordinances -
Pick out the commandments you don't strive to keep and begin striving. (me: regular scripture study.... service.... regular temple attendance.... putting the Lord first before fb/email/blogging/friends/movies/books....) Obedience brings a large measure of the spirit to us, which is like a huge auto-shield of protection from Satan.
Pick out the commandments you don't strive to keep and begin striving. (me: regular scripture study.... service.... regular temple attendance.... putting the Lord first before fb/email/blogging/friends/movies/books....) Obedience brings a large measure of the spirit to us, which is like a huge auto-shield of protection from Satan.
4. Speaketh -
To me this is honesty. Saying how we feel, sharing our own truth, let our thoughts feelings and our reality come out of the cold dark isolation where Satan can otherwise deceive. By keeping a contrite spirit as we share, the spirit can guide our words and we can recognize verbally with our friends our need for a Savior in our lives.
To me this is honesty. Saying how we feel, sharing our own truth, let our thoughts feelings and our reality come out of the cold dark isolation where Satan can otherwise deceive. By keeping a contrite spirit as we share, the spirit can guide our words and we can recognize verbally with our friends our need for a Savior in our lives.
5. Language is Meek and Edifieth -
To me, this refers to more than swearing and dirty jokes. To me this is more like missionary work, or even a step 12 ish type of thing. How many of us have shared and edified another when we only began step 1? Probably all of us. :) Let us also recognize that no matter how awful we feel, we must not speak to others in a hurtful or degrading way. This is contrary to the pattern. Let us seek to edify and recognize our need for the Lord in all things.
To me, this refers to more than swearing and dirty jokes. To me this is more like missionary work, or even a step 12 ish type of thing. How many of us have shared and edified another when we only began step 1? Probably all of us. :) Let us also recognize that no matter how awful we feel, we must not speak to others in a hurtful or degrading way. This is contrary to the pattern. Let us seek to edify and recognize our need for the Lord in all things.
6. Tremble under God's Power -
How much better to tremble under God's power than to tremble under Satan's or man's power? If we "fear" the Lord first, we will be made strong before Satan and man. Let us be so aware and grateful for the great Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power God can extend that we recognize that in comparison to God, we are simply of the dust.
How much better to tremble under God's power than to tremble under Satan's or man's power? If we "fear" the Lord first, we will be made strong before Satan and man. Let us be so aware and grateful for the great Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power God can extend that we recognize that in comparison to God, we are simply of the dust.
Promised blessings if follow pattern:
- Acceptance of God
- Become like Him
- Be made strong
- Bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom
- Know the spirits in all cases under the whole Heavens
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