This week, we've been working pretty hard. At first, we were just snooping around, looking for random individuals who might look interested in a message. It goes by pretty slow. However, another Elder had the idea to ask different Groups if anyone wanted to have Bible Studies with him. And afterwards, if they enjoy the Bible study, invite them to take the missionary lessons. I thought hm, maybe I'll try that. So I joined several Christian groups, and asked if anyone wanted to study the Bible? And OH MY MACARONI NOODLES. SO many people. I was completely overwhelmed and just slightly stressed. But we've been working one by one, and man, I've never worked with so many people from the Philippines.
Anyhow. Again, I've kept studying about trials, and this time, I'm going to focus on the temptations of the Natural Man.
We all have appetites. We all experience impulses and desires. We all want to eat. We all want to be popular. We all want to love and be loved. And none of these appetites are bad. But if you look closely, you'll find that Sin is just a lack of understanding, control, or disregard over these (Natural) tendencies. Pride? A desire to be great, taken to extreme measures. Laziness? A desire to enjoy the simple things of life. Etc.
The struggle comes, and our purpose in life, is to learn to become masters over these appetites. Bridle our passions. Sin comes from the indulgence of our Natural Man tendencies. Gluttony? The appreciation of good food. Not a bad trait. But once we surrender and indulge, it becomes a vice and sin. The solution? Learn to control your hunger. Don't go and eat every little time you feel tempted to. Don't make food your top priority.
How intriguing! The world wants to indulge the Natural man. Do you? We live in a world full of ease, convenience, and immediate gratification. Becoming a master of ourselves can be hard when everything is so accessible. But part of a divine and celestial life means complete acceptance of personal responsibility and accountability. To "put off the Natural man."
Thanks! I love you all!
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Aaron Hyrum Goss
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