We are not speaking of a wholesome view of self-worth, which is best established by a close relationship with God. In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride. I recommend that every reader find this talk and read it in its entirety. President Ezra Taft Benson gave a marvelous, landmark talk, entitled “Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” on the things we need to eliminate from our lives, focusing especially on pride as the root of all other sins. As we inventory our lives, we begin to see how pride has played a major role. I have concluded that without pride there wouldn’t be any addicts! Pride is perhaps the most subtle and yet pervasive of our faults. Simpson made some very insightful comments about excuses and rationalization: I found how quickly I used my circumstances to excuse or rationalize acting out. For example, I noticed I repeatedly turned to pornography and/or masturbation for comfort or to escape from the emotional distress of a disagreement with my wife or a bad day at work. As I began to face my past, I found trends and patterns in my thoughts, as well as the resulting deeds. I knew I would have to admit how deeply my life had become entrenched in the violation of the laws of chastity. I was so bound up in the deceit of denial. I was so used to making excuses for myself. Letting Go of Excuses-Coming Out of Denial I wanted to get out all the garbage and allow the Savior to save me from it. I wasn’t sure if I could do it thoroughly enough, but I became willing to make a first stab at it. I wanted to get rid of my sins and secrets now and let the healing begin. I didn’t want to wait for someone else to reveal my sins against my will. Having come this far – having taken Steps One, Two, and Three – I was finally ready to get on with my Fourth Step inventory. It actually helped to review scriptures that testified that sooner or later, all men’s secrets will be known: My wounds must be opened to the air to be healed. To become free from the behaviors of sexual addiction, I must first acknowledge I have engaged in them. Still, I felt the witness of the truth to my heart and mind: In order to be cured of a disease, you must be willing to acknowledge that you have the disease, and then you must begin to pay strict attention to its symptoms. And, even more numerous were the times I had indulged in lust, letting my mind wander into unacceptable and sinful paths. First of all, there were all the times I had given in and indulged in viewing pornography and masturbating. The things causing me the most pain had to do with sexual addiction, of course. I’d messed up in a lot of ways for a lot of years. Save for those few who defect to perdition after having known a fulness, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no offense exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. The gospel teaches us that relief from torment and guilt can be earned through repentance. Even so, I find it wonderfully encouraging to hear reassurances like Elder Boyd K. Thinking about my own mistakes, my own sins, makes me pretty uncomfortable. And who hasn’t? I admit it’s much easier to talk about someone else’s tragic choices than my own. I can see the carpet along one whole end of the room, and I’m throwing away ten-year-old catalogs and Christmas cards! What a great principle the Fourth Step represents – a chance to reclaim our lives by sorting through our “stuff.”įacing the Truth about My Past Behaviors and Attitudes I’m not nearly finished clearing out my study yet, but you know what? Already, I feel fabulous. Maybe it was because I’ve been studying and praying about the Fourth Step process of inventorying that I finally felt willing to tackle the build-up. Well, my daughter moved away again months and months ago, but the displaced boxes and even more unfiled paperwork have remained undisturbed in my study – until last night. And since it looks more like a storeroom than a study, I couldn’t very well object when my daughter asked if she could stash some stuff from the upstairs bedroom in my study when she moved home for the summer. I allow half-finished projects to pile up along with unfiled papers, books, and other “important” things. At my house, my study is one of those places. Drawer or room, basement, garage, briefcase or purse – we all have someplace where we’ve stuffed things and forgotten them. Some people even have a “junk room” or two. (Alma 15:17 Mosiah 4:2 Jacob 4:6-7 Ether 12:27)(Heart t’ Heart scriptural version)ĭo you have a “junk” drawer? Most people do. Made a searching and fearless written inventory of our past in order to thoroughly examine ourselves as to our pride and other weaknesses with the intent of recognizing our own carnal state and our need for Christ’s Atonement. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
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