Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about the blasphemous speech given by Rab-shakeh in which he asks Jerusalem to surrender to the Assyrians. He tells them that the gods of other nations were not able to save them from the Assyrians so why should they think that their God would be able to deliver them? He tells them not to listen to Hezekiah who was telling them to trust in the Lord. The people did not answer him a word. 2 Kgs. 18: 28-36 "Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."

In the D&C I read that Satan stirs up the hearts of people to contend with one another over points of doctrine, causing them to err and wrest the scriptures, which they don't understand. Have you ever gotten into a heated scripture bashing session with someone whose beliefs were different from your own? Was the Spirit present? Did anyone become convinced that the other person was right in their interpretations of the scriptures? My experience has been that these kind of contentious interactions do not convert anyone because in order for true conversion to take place, the Spirit needs to be present. And contention drives the Spirit away. I think Satan is delighted when people with opposing religious views argue and fight with each other over points of doctrine--it's a great way to lose the Spirit in our lives. D&C 10: 63 "And this I do that I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to hold fast to our faith without wavering and encourage others to love and good works. Heb. 10: 23-24 "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"



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