The Battle With Satan

The Battle with Satan

President Gordon B. hinckley warned us that we have a greater challenge than we realize because we are battling the enemy (Ephesians 6:12). President Monson warned us that Satan is trying to snare us (April conference 2009). The Lord himself warned us that "Satan desireth to have you..." (3 Nephi 18:18). We know there has to be "opposition in all things" so we can and must use our agency and choose (2Nephi 2:11,26,27).

How can we overcome the temptations and incluence of Satan in our lives? President Wilword Woodruff said, "Men are only saved from the devil by the power of God." How can we access the power of God?

1. Righteousness (1 Nephi 22:26) --Satan has no power.

2. Praying Always (D&C 10:5) --conquer Satan and escape the hands of his servants.

3. Fasting and prayer (Matthew 17:21 [14-21] ) extra power

Isaiah 58:6 -loose the banks of wickedness

4. Study and use the scriptures (Helaman 3:29-30) -divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil (see also Matthew 4:1-11; Moses 1:12-22 examples of how Jesus and Moses used scriptures against Satan).

5. Follow the prophet (D&C 21:4-6) -gates of hell will not prevail against you; and the Lord will disperse the powers of darkness from before you.

6. Plead with all your strength for God's help (JS 1:16-17) -that is when the pillar of light descended and freed Joseph Smith.

7. Resist (James 4:7) and Satan will flee

Boyd K. Packer --all who have bodies have power over those who have not--Satan has no power over us unless we let him.

8. Have faith in Jesus Christ (Alma 37:33) -withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord, Jesus Christ (see also 1 Cor 10:13) -God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able...)

9. Build your foundation on Jesus Christ (Helaman 5:12) -Devil will have no power over you to drag you down.

10. Never give up (GBH, WWTB 10 Jan 2004, p.20) "We must not give up... not become disouraged. We must never surrender to the forces of evil."

11. We are on the willing team (D&C 19:3) Jesus Christ "retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world..."