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Learn about what sin is and how to overcome it so we can feel of the love of God.
Jesus taught about how to defend against sin in the Bible. Go to our Bible quiz page to learn more about the Bible.
Sin is when we disobey the commandments of God or choose not to follow His will. Satan tempts us to commit sin so we will be miserable like he is. If a temptation or bad thought enters our minds, if we get rid of it quickly, we have not sinned. If we dwell on bad thoughts or act on them, then we commit sin.
Sin causes us to lose the Spirit of the Lord in our lives. It distances us from God spiritually. If we don't repent, soon we can find ourselves on a slippery slope downward. Many people justify their thoughts or actions by saying, "It's just a little sin, what does it really matter?" Here's the fallacy in that thinking—if we commit even a little sin, we lose the Spirit of the Lord and then it becomes easier to commit more and gradually larger sins.
When we commit sins—which all of us will do since we're human (1 John 1:8, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6)—it's essential to repent and make every effort not to commit that sin again. If we are penitent (have a repentant heart) as much as possible throughout our lives, the sacrifice Christ made for us can take effect in our lives and we can return to live with God again.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
This scripture is a wonderful metaphor about how to overcome sin and the devil. Some of the key points it talks about are praying, obtaining truth (in the scriptures) and gaining faith.
John 14:6 states, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
A prophet in ancient America, around 74 B.C., told his people, "teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Alma 37:33). (Click the link to learn more about this book of scriptures.)
Through modern scriptures received in 1831, Jesus said, "BEHOLD, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted" (Doctrine and Covenants 62:1).
As we trust in Jesus, he will help us overcome temptations.