Spiritual Inception

What do you think about in those quiet moments when there is nothing else in particular to think about? Video games? Food? Your favorite TV show? Your current hobby? Whatever it is, it is likely the same thing that gets a large amount of your time, attention, and energy. This is what you have given precedence in your life. I would propose that whatever has precedence has power in your life. This is the thing that you have most recently allowed to influence you for better or worse.  Have you given your time, attention, energy and thoughts to the right thing?  Have you chosen the best thing?

The scriptures tell us, “For as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). This means that it matters what we give precedence in our life, since that is what will occupy our thoughts and will in turn lead us to who we will become. Thus it is all the more important that we be deliberate and intentional and follow the spirit in our choices of how to spend our time.

I have learned recently just how subtle and sly the adversary really is. He really is smart. In the war in heaven I always imagined that Satan was fighting the whiteness of purity with the total blackness of sin. Instead, I am learning that he is more likely to battle whiteness with off-whiteness. He wants to taint our thinking and paradigms. If he can get us to accept just one error—just one idea that is slightly askew; perhaps a half truth or a twisted, corrupted piece of truth—He has succeeded in starting us down his path of spiritual destruction. 

This is what I have begun calling Spiritual Inception. If you've seen the movie, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, let me explain: the entire premise of the movie Inception is that an idea introduced and planted deep enough into your mind can completely overtake you. Likewise, if we are not watchful, as the scriptures advise us, we could inadvertently allow one little thought or idea take over our whole lives and ruin our peace and happiness.

Now, this sounds very alarmist, and I don't mean to be. I just want to impress upon our minds the seriousness of the battle that we undertake with the enemy. He wants us to be confused, deceived, misled... but he can succeed in his quest only if we allow him.  This is why it is imperative that we choose to fill our lives with things that inspire, edify, and uplift.  We must choose to let the gospel of Jesus Christ take precedence in our homes, and we must be ever wary of the adversary's attempts to get us off course.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him. . . . Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. ” (3 Nephi 18:15, 18)

Watch and pray always it repeats.  To watch means to have an increased alertness and an awareness of the danger at hand.  I believe that there are two ways that we can be more watchful.  One is to be more selective in how we spend our time (what we allow to influence us,) and the other is to weigh carefully the ideas and truths that are presented.  Do they fit into and mesh well with the truths that we already know?

As I have thought about those who have already let false ideas seep into their paradigms, I have been reminded of the story of Moses and the brass serpent.  When we sin, we are like the Israelites who were punished by being bitten by flying serpents.  These poisonous ideas can potentially kill us spiritually.  They destroy our peace and happiness.   We long for a cure.  How do those who have been led astray come back?  Additionally, how can those who might face the temptations of Satan stand strong?  The answer is the same for both questions, and it is simple--too simple some would argue.  In the story, Moses is instructed by God to raise up a brass serpent and all who would look on it would live.  But some would not.

41 And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished. (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapter 17)

Don't let the simple answers fool you.  They are powerful and essential.  Discarding them will be your downfall.  The brass serpent represents Christ.  We must look to Christ and live!  This is the simple answer.

How do we look to Christ? Pray, study the scriptures, ponder, keep journals, participate in church, go to the temple regularly, do family history work. Pay tithing, be charitable and obedient. Do family home evening, family prayer, family scripture study, family council and family meals. Create righteous rituals and routines, give service, magnify your callings, and find ways to go the extra mile in your devotion to God.

Too simple? No.  I have a testimony that these practices will help us to keep the spirit in our homes and help us to resist even the most subtle advances of the devil. They serve as constant reminders of reality, of the truths that we know, and of the things that are most important. They keep us busy with the best things so that we don't even have time to indulge in the less worthy things. Most of all, I know that these things bring me peace and joy and help me to feel confidence in God's presence.

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 121)