This scripture hit me in a new way today:
15 There
is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can adefile him: but the things which come out of him,
those are they that bdefile the man.
Usually I see this as saying that food can't stop our spiritual progression, but our words and deeds can.
But today, my view was broadened...
I don't know about you, but I often find myself worrying about the trials I go through. Sometimes I'm even tempted to think that they make me less of a person. For example, if I have a negative thought come into my head about someone or something, it's easy to berate myself for having that thought, and/or fearing that I'm a bad person because of it.
[photo from the Mormon.org Facebook page]
But, no. That's not true--nor is it right.
Those thoughts are just as much "from without" as any germ or bacteria that could make me medically sick. No onslaught of temptations, trials, negative thoughts, etc. could ever compromise my spiritual progression, unless I choose them over God...
And the same goes for you.
No matter what you're going through--financial troubles, loneliness, abuse, negative thoughts, addictions, divorce, doubts, bullying, illness, disability--whatever you're currently struggling with, it cannot destroy you without your permission.
The things that "come out of" you--your own decisions right now--words, deeds, etc.--those are what have the potential to destroy you.
But remember, they are also what can allow you to be saved.
The saving itself, that's done by the Savior.
As we choose to let Him, by using His atonement.
It's our choice.
And even as we make mistakes--and do choose to defile ourselves with our choices (which, being human, we inevitably will)--we can always turn back. We can always elect to return, ready to change, to the Savior. No matter how far gone and hopeless we think we may be.
And He will cleanse us. Completely, wholly, infinitely...
beautifully.
Peace
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