Purpose
To help class members put on the full armor of God to protect them in the battle against evil.Preparation
- Read The Following Scriptures:
Discussion and Application
1. Put on the whole armor of God.
- Read D&C 76:25–28 and Moses 4:3. Who were the leaders of the two forces involved in the War in Heaven, and what were their objectives? How are we involved in a similar conflict on the earth today? (See D&C 76:29; Moses 4:4.)
- The Lord has not left us unprotected in the battle against evil. Read D&C 27:15–18. What is the Lord's armor described in these verses?
- What can we do to put on the "whole armor" of God? How have you felt added protection from temptation as you have prayed? studied the scriptures? kept the Sabbath day holy? gone to the temple? honored the priesthood?
- What might be the consequences of wearing only part of the Lord's armor or neglecting to wear it for even a brief time?
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve warned that Satan "seeks to find any chink in the armor of each person. He knows our weaknesses and knows how to exploit them if we allow him to do so. We can defend ourselves against his attacks and deceptions only by understanding the commandments and by fortifying ourselves each day through praying, studying the scriptures, and following the counsel of the Lord's anointed" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 44; or Ensign, Nov. 1988, 35).
This lesson will focus on three areas in which Satan is trying to exploit weaknesses in our armor today: chastity, honesty, and language.
2. Live the law of chastity.
- What is the Lord's law of chastity? (See D&C 42:22–24; 59:6; 63:16; and the following quotations.)
The First Presidency stated: "The Lord's law of moral conduct is abstinence outside of lawful marriage and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between husband and wife appropriately expressed within the bonds of marriage. Any other sexual contact, including fornication, adultery, and homosexual and lesbian behavior, is sinful" (First Presidency letter, 14 Nov. 1991).
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: "Any sexual intimacy outside of the bonds of marriage—I mean any intentional contact with the sacred, private parts of another's body, with or without clothing—is a sin and is forbidden by God. It is also a transgression to intentionally stimulate these emotions within your own body" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 51; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 38).
- What are some consequences of violating the law of chastity? How does a person's violation of the law of chastity affect others?
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught: "One of the most pervasive deceptions in recent years is the notion that immorality is normal and acceptable and has no negative consequences. In truth, immorality is the underlying cause of much suffering and many other problems that are prevalent today, including rampant disease, abortion, broken families, families without fathers, and mothers who themselves are children" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 100; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 76).
- How are we blessed as we live the law of chastity? (See D&C 121:45–46) How might our obedience to the law of chastity affect others?
- How does Satan tempt people to violate the law of chastity? How do people try to rationalize violating this law?
President Gordon B. Hinckley warned: "You must not fool around with the Internet to find pornographic material. You must not dial a long-distance telephone number to listen to filth. You must not rent videos with pornography of any kind. This salacious stuff simply is not for you. Stay away from pornography as you would avoid a serious disease. It is destructive. It can become habitual, and those who indulge in it get so they cannot leave it alone. It is addictive" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 66–67; or Ensign, May 1998, 49).
- How can we protect ourselves from temptations to violate the law of chastity? What can we do in our homes to avoid immoral influences?
- The law of chastity includes purity of thought as well as action. How are we affected spiritually when our thoughts are unclean? (See D&C 63:16.) How can we dismiss unclean thoughts from our minds?
Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve counseled us to evict unworthy thoughts from our minds by putting "something edifying in their place" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 90; or Ensign,Nov. 1977, 60). Discuss how to follow this counsel. Suggestions include praying for strength, singing a favorite hymn or reciting a favorite scripture in our minds, or thinking about our love for family members.
3. Be honest.
- What does it mean to be honest?
President James E. Faust taught: "Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 57; or Ensign,Nov. 1996, 41).
- Read D&C 42:21, 51:9, and D&C 97:8. Why is it important to be honest in all aspects of our lives? What are the consequences of being dishonest? How are we blessed as we are honest?
- What are some ways we are tempted to be dishonest? How can giving in to small temptations to be dishonest make us more vulnerable to other temptations? How can we overcome temptations to be dishonest?
- What does it mean to be honest with the Lord?
- What does it mean to be honest with ourselves?
- How can we effectively teach honesty in our homes?
4. Use language that reverences God and is edifying.
- Read D&C 63:60–62 and D&C 136:21. What is the Lord's commandment concerning how we use His name? What are some ways that people take the Lord's name in vain?
- In addition to taking the Lord's name in vain, what other kinds of language should we avoid?
President Hinckley said: "Don't swear. Don't profane. Avoid so-called dirty jokes. Stay away from conversation that is sprinkled with foul and filthy words. You will be happier if you do so, and your example will give strength to others" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 59; or Ensign, Nov. 1987, 48).
- What are some consequences of using bad language?
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve said, "Profanity and vulgarity … are sins that separate us from God and cripple our spiritual defenses by causing the Holy Ghost to withdraw from us" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 69; or Ensign, May 1986, 52).
- How does Satan tempt people to use profane, vulgar, or obscene language? How can we overcome temptations to use bad language?
- Why is learning to control our words essential to our spiritual growth? How can controlling our words help us stay away from other temptations?
- How should we respond when we are around people who use bad language or when bad language is used in movies, television, or books?
- How can parents teach children not to use bad language?
- What kind of language would the Lord like us to use? (See D&C 52:16; 136:24; Ephesians 4:29.) In what ways can our words edify others? How can we encourage others to use language that reverences God and is edifying?
5. The armor of God includes weapons that we can wield
While serving in the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Harold B. Lee explained that the armor of God includes not only defensive protections but also weapons that we can actively wield:
"[The] armoured man hold[s] in his hand a shield and in his other hand a sword. … That shield was the shield of faith and the sword was the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. I can't think of any more powerful weapons than faith and a knowledge of the scriptures in … which are contained the Word of God. One so armoured and one so prepared with those weapons is prepared to go out against the enemy" ("Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [9 Nov. 1954], 7).
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