Temptation

As the Apostle Paul prophesied, the last days are “perilous
times” (2 Timothy 3:1). The influence of the adversary is
widespread and seductive. But you can defeat Satan and
overcome his temptations. Heavenly Father has given you
the gift of agency—the power to choose good over evil. You
can “humble [yourself] before the Lord, and call on his holy
name, and watch and pray continually, that [you] may not be
tempted above that which [you] can bear” (Alma 13:28). As
you willingly obey the commandments, your Heavenly
Father will strengthen you to withstand temptation.
The following counsel will help you overcome temptation:
Center your life on the Savior. The prophet Helaman counseled
his sons, “Remember, remember that it is upon the rock
of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must
build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth
his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when
all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall
have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of
are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon
if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).
Pray for strength. When the resurrected Savior came to the
Nephites, He taught the multitude: “Ye must watch and pray
always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to
have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must
always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:18–19).
In the latter days He has given similar counsel: “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).
Study the scriptures daily. As you study gospel truths and
apply them in your life, the Lord will bless you with power
to withstand temptation. Nephi taught, “Whoso would
hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it,
they would never perish; neither could the temptations and
the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness,
to lead them away to destruction” (1 Nephi 15:24; see
also Helaman 3:29–30).
Fill your life with goodness. You have so much good to
choose from that you do not need to partake of evil. When
you fill your life with goodness, you leave no room for anything
else.
Avoid tempting places and situations. You cannot avoid
temptation completely, but you can avoid places or situations
where you are likely to be tempted. You can also avoid inappropriate
material in magazines, books, television, movies,
and music and on the Internet.
Strive to influence others for good. Just before He suffered
in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior prayed for His disciples:
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the
world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify
them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent
me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the
world” ( John 17:14–18). As a latter-day disciple of Jesus
Christ, you can be in the world but “not of the world.” In
addition to avoiding temptation yourself, you can influence
others to live good and wholesome lives. You can set a righteous
example, be a good friend, participate in community
service, and, as appropriate, let your voice be heard in
defense of moral values.
Never hesitate in your decisions to withstand temptation.
Strive to follow the example of the Savior, who “suffered
temptations but gave no heed unto them” (D&C 20:22).
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, the Lord never
wavered. His answer was quick and firm: “Get thee behind
me, Satan” (Luke 4:8). Through your righteous thoughts,
words, and actions, you can answer the temptations of the
adversary with the same conviction. “Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh
to you” ( James 4:7–8).
Additional references: Romans 12:21; Ephesians 6:11–17; James 1:12, footnote
b; D&C 23:1; 31:12; Moses 1:12–22
See also Agency; Conscience; Fasting and Fast Offerings; Holy Ghost;
Light of Christ; Repentance; Satan