Putting off Darkness

"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"

~Galatians 4:9

When speaking to the Galatians Paul brings up a good point: Why in life do we continue to turn our backs on the light we have received and turn back towards the darkness? Why can't we remain true to the light we have received and put off the natural man on the very first attempt? It's not that easy though. Even those who we revere as great men had to work at overcoming the natural man. The prophet Nephi had these same struggles:

"Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

"I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

"And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins;

                                                                ...

"O then, if I have seen so great things ... why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

"And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?"

~2 Nephi 4:17-19, 26-27

Change is a process, not a one time event. The key is where our heart is and where our sights are set to. As we climb the mountain of life we will fall at times. We'll get cut and scratched up, but if we keep going up the mountain our strength will increase and we will not fall as low. Our mistakes and sins will move on from being sins of commission to sins of omission. The light in our eyes and character will increase as we come closer and closer to the Son, and further and further away from the Prince of Darkness. 

And as we come closer to the light let us head the words of Paul to the Galatians:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

~Galatians 5:1

And exclaim with Nephi:

"Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

"Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

"O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

"May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

"O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way--but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

"O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

"Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."

~2 Nephi 4:28-35