The Savior didn’t debate temptation—he dismissed it. When we do the same, his strength will help us overcome our weakness.
In our world today, we are surrounded by distractions and worldly pleasures that seek to turn us away from the covenant path. One of the proverbs of Solomon teaches a simple but powerful principle: “Enter not into the path of the wicked.… Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Proverbs 4:14–15). His counsel warns of the dangers of lingering in temptation’s power.
Of course, this is easier said than done. But Elder Lynn G. Robbins explains in his BYU devotional “Avoid It” that “avoiding temptation should be our first line of defense.” Where possible, this approach can help safeguard us against many dangers in our daily lives and relationships.
I learned this principle in a small but meaningful way through a phone game I used to mindlessly play. I started out each day with good intentions—I set goals, planned to work on homework, and promised myself I would go to bed early. But after a long day of school, I often opened the app, telling myself that I could play just one game. One game turned into twenty. Homework was pushed off until the last minute, and once again my sleep was sacrificed.
Eventually, I realized that this wasn’t working. So I deleted the app. It wasn’t easy, and I was tempted to replace it with another game, but I reminded myself that I didn’t want to keep wasting my time. Avoiding the temptation proved far easier than resisting it.
Elder Robbins observes that this same principle applies to more serious temptations, especially in dating and marriage. When boundaries are crossed or doors are left open, temptation can slip in and weaken the trust between a couple and the Lord. Once a door has been opened, it is difficult to close.
In Doctrine and Covenants 62:1, we learn that the Savior “knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted.” Our Father in Heaven knows that we all make mistakes; that is why he provided a Savior for us. With his redeeming power, we can learn from our struggles and gain the strength to shut the door on temptation. It may take several attempts, but if we seek for the Lord’s power in our lives, he will help us not only resist temptation, but avoid it.
Read more about avoiding temptation in Elder Lynn G. Robbins’s BYU devotional “Avoid It.”
Source: BYU Speeches
—Janna Miller, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY PATRICK FORE
Find more insights
For more help with recognizing and avoiding temptation, take a look at Elder Scott D. Whiting’s general conference talk “Beware the Second Temptation.”
Read Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk “Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul” to learn more about safeguarding our soul against temptation.