Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:7-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Galatians 1:7-9

"Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

Due to a recent conversation with someone I pondered all night why some members of the Church or Christians can be so easily deceived, accept false doctrine, and apostatize? Why would someone entertain listening to false doctrine while another will not touch it? Interesting how the scriptures I read later rehearse these same thoughts. The conclusion I came to was due to pride. The one tool Satan has to destroy those that are righteous. The only way he can crack the armor around them, even to the convincing that due to their righteousness they are better or more elect than others. It is pride that will cause a man to seek for doctrines that will put them above others. Why would you follow a false prophet? Because somehow false teachers made you feel special if you do. It is the loss of humility when pride overcomes you. It's hard to describe all my thoughts but I could clearly see the difference in the mindset, on how one person will follow a false prophet over a prophet of God. Last night I decided I would listen to President Benson talk on Pride. This was my opportunity to do so, and so much stood out to me

"Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.

Another major portion of this very prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen. We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them.

The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” (Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan, 1952, pp. 109–10.)

(Ezra Taft Benson, "Beware of Pride", Apr 1989 General Conference)

If President Benson's warning against pride is not enough, we are told in the scriptures how great a fall is coming from the pride of the world.

"And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

(1 Nephi 11:36)

Day 3251