Following the Savior’s Example of Resisting Temptation
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Jesus is tempted by the devil to change rocks into bread - ch.11-2
In this lesson you can continue studying how the Savior resisted temptations. This lesson can help you follow His example and recall truths from the scriptures to help you resist temptation in your life.
Resisting temptation
Imagine that your friend Jacob confides in you that he is having a hard time resisting temptation. He explains that he really wants to resist but that he has a difficult time knowing what to do when temptation comes.
What would you share with him, and why?
Recall the Savior’s experience as recorded in Matthew 4:1–11, when the Savior faced and resisted Satan’s temptations. One of the ways He did this was by exemplifying this principle: recalling and applying truths from the scriptures can help us draw on the Lord’s power to resist temptation. Study Matthew 4:1–11. Focus on verses 4, 7, and 10, looking for how the Savior applied this principle. Note that when Jesus said, “It is written,” He was referring to words written in the scriptures.
How do the scripture passages the Savior quoted relate to the temptations He overcame?
Spend a few minutes writing down your thoughts about why you need help resisting temptation. Then respond to the following questions:
How often do you turn to the Lord through the scriptures to help you resist temptation? Why?
What experiences have you had with turning to the Lord through the scriptures to help you resist temptation?
1. Complete the following activities in your study journal:
Identify and list a few temptations that youth your age commonly face.
Identify and list scripture passages that can help with each of these temptations, along with a brief explanation of how each passage might help.
For example, you may find that the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 18:15 can help you see that you need to be constantly aware and pray diligently as you strive to resist temptation. If you have difficulty finding helpful scriptures, you can search the doctrinal mastery passages, or you can search references in the Guide to the Scriptures under “Tempt, Temptation,” “Endure,” or another topic related to temptation or a specific temptation.
Consider marking these scripture passages distinctly and making a list of them in your scriptures or study journal where you can easily find them. If you are using electronic scriptures, consider creating a tag and adding the passages to it. If you need to learn how to do this, go to the Gospel Library User Guide (Android) or Gospel Library User Guide (iOS) on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Select Marking content under the “Learning More” heading.
There are a variety of ways you can follow the Savior’s example and receive strength from the scriptures. Choose to do activity A or B to help you follow the Savior’s example in resisting temptation. Seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost as you decide which activity will be most helpful to you.
2. Choose one of the following activities to complete in your study journal.
Activity A: Memorize
Choose a scripture reference from those you identified, and memorize a key phrase from it or the entire passage. Here are some methods that may help:
Read it several times to yourself, looking at the scripture less and less each time.
Write down the passage or phrase. Erase or cross out words as you memorize them, and repeat until all the words are erased or crossed out and you can repeat the whole thing from memory.
Import the scripture into the Doctrinal Mastery app, and use the memorization tools in the app.
Activity B: Ponder and write
Ponder how regular scripture study can help you resist temptation in your life or what changes you could make to increase the blessings available to you through increased efforts to study the scriptures regularly. Write a social media or blog post that could help others increase their desire to study the scriptures. Write in a way that could help them seek the Lord’s power to help them resist temptation. Include at least one scripture reference you identified today. You could also share an experience you have had with the scriptures that increased your ability to resist temptation, without sharing any details about the temptation.
Personal reflection
To conclude, reflect on what you learned today, and ponder your answers to the following questions:
How might building on what you did today (studying, memorizing, and recalling scriptures) help you become more like Jesus Christ?
What do you feel you need to start doing, stop doing, or continue doing?
Optional: Want to Learn More?
How can studying the scriptures help me?
President Russell M. Nelson explained how regularly studying the Book of Mormon can give us power to resist temptation:
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Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018
My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.
Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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Final official portrait of Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2004. Passed away 22 September 2015.
Be wise in how you embrace technology. Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need.
(Richard G. Scott, “For Peace at Home,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 30)