The scripture teach that we are all influenced by “the Spirit/spirit”, but which one? Maybe this should be called the dichotomy of the spirit. Here is an example from the scriptures:
…the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit which was not of the LORD troubled him. 1 Samuel 16:14 JST
Saul, who was the Lords’ choice for king, when the children of Israel were determined to have a king, lost the Spirit of the Lord and acquired an evil spirit instead. How did this happen to Saul? The short answer is he stopped listening to the Lord’s prophet.
Nephi’s teachings about prayer also points out the dichotomy of the spirit we experience in mortality:
…For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. 2 Nephi 32:8
If we listen to the prophet Nephi and pray as we should, then we will be harkening to the Spirit of the Lord, and resisting the evil spirit.
Where do evil spirit reside? A scripture in Mosiah provides one answer:
And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men. Mosiah 3:6
How do we avoid evil spirits?
…that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils… seek ye earnestly the best gifts… they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do… D&C 46:7-9
Spiritual gifts are the key to avoiding evil spirits.
Conclusion:
To be in tune with the Spirit of the Lord:
1. Follow the Lord’s living prophets
2. Pray Earnestly
3. Seek the gifts of the Spirit
Tim Malone
Posted on 28th June, 2008
A thoughtful post, Jared. The footnote for 1 Sam 16:14 points out that the evil spirit was not of the Lord but your point is valid - Saul stopped listening to the prophet. He hardened his heart and did not hearken to Samuel’s counsel. Following a prophet’s counsel brings a prophet’s reward.
I am so glad you used Mosiah 3:6 in your post. In my opinion, this is one of the most overlooked scriptures when discussions on identifying evil spirits takes place. This scripture clearly defines devils as evil spirits that can dwell in us. Take a survey and find out how many people really believe this.
The question is, are those pre-mortal or post-mortal evil spirits? The pre-mortal evil spirits are those who never had and never will receive a physical body. Post-mortal evil spirits are the wicked who have died and are still hanging around trying to use the bodies of mortals for their sins.
Coincidentally, I used Section 46 in my spiritual thought in Bishopric meeting last week. Your point that seeking, obtaining and using spiritual gifts being the key to avoiding evil spirits is the exact same one I made last Sunday. What a coincidence. Do we earnestly seek spiritual gifts?
To answer your last question, I hope it is the spirit of the Lord that dwells in my heart. I can tell when it is some other spirit if I feel angry or offended or fearful. Those feelings are not from the Lord. That’s the real challenge to life - controlling what spirit we allow to influence us.
Jared
Posted on 29th June, 2008
Hi Tim, I inserted the JST for 1 Samuel 16:14 that I originally missed. Thanks for pointing this out.
Whenever I read about Saul and David I feel concerned. If men like them can be moved out of their places then I had better be extra watchful.
I think it was Hugh Nibley who said that he prayed the Lord would never give him more than he could handle. I echo this sentiment.
The more I understand about gifts of the Spirit the more I realize how important it is for followers of Christ to obtain them, but always remembering they are “gifts” and beware of pride.
Wow! The battle goes on. I agree with your thoughts about angry, being offended, and fearful. I have struggled with angry most of my life and as I get older I realize how foolish I’ve been, and still am, but to a lesser degree than when I was younger. With Joseph Smith’s revision of Matt 5:22 the Lord doesn’t leave any wiggle room for anger. I was enthralled by Daniel K Judd’s presentation on this verse at the Sperry Symposium, “Adding and Taking Away Without a Cause”. It is available at:
http://www.byub.org/findatalk/
Time for church. Thanks for coming by.
Stephen
Posted on 1st July, 2008
I have seen a spirit at four separate times throughout my life. Once I saw two standing together. That doesn’t necessarily make me an expert but, I think we might have overlooked a good point in Mosiah 3: 6 & 2 Nephi 32: 8, so far.
“The evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men,” and, “the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray,” seems more like a reference to us, and not some sinister evil spirit that slips into your heart, though I know these spirits exist. Anger and Fear that are two emotions that drive the Holy Spirit away, which is to say, we sever ourselves from the Unity we should have with God through following Christ’s example and is expressed through the Holy Ghost.
Sin isn’t just acting against the will of God, it is spiritual death and spiritual death is pain. When the spirit is, “evil,” or has done things to feel the pain of that spiritual death, it does not want to pray. The thought of praying, getting close to God, causes even greater pain while in the way with him, even though true supplication would bring healing.
That is just one perspective.
In any case, love the thoughts and words.
Jared
Posted on 1st July, 2008
Stephen–thanks for your comment. I agree with your point. My understanding and experience with these things leads me to believe that we are influenced like Mosiah 3:6 teaches and then we are at times allowed to experience evil spirits on a level far more intimidating. I think of what happened to Joseph Smith when he started to pray in the Sacred Grove, and to Moses. They were certainly dealing with more than an evil influence, as you stated.
Thanks for coming by.
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