In the Book of Mormon we read that Nehor, the man we read about yesterday, established a church after the manner of his preaching and became quite wealthy and prideful, wearing costly clothing. Gideon, a man of God, withstood him in his false teachings, which made Nehor very angry. Nehor smote him with his sword. Because Gideon was elderly, he could not withstand his blows and was killed. Alma 1: 6-9 "And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching. And it came to pass as he was going, to preach to those who believed on his word, he met a man who belonged to the church of God, yea, even one of their teachers; and he began to contend with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the church; but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words of God. Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage. Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of God he was wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to smite him. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore he was not able to withstand his blows, therefore he was slain by the sword."
In the Old Testament we read about what happened to the Assyrians who thought they could so easily conquer the Israelites. They didn't realize that with the Lord on the side of the children of Israel, the Assyrians didn't stand a chance. We need to realize the same thing. If we have the Lord on our side, it doesn't matter what else seems to be stacked against us. Isaiah 37:33-38 "Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord. For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that whoever commits a sin becomes a servant to sin. But we don't need to stay in bondage. If we're willing to repent and turn to the Lord, we can be made free through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And when He makes us free, we are free indeed! John 8:34-36 "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
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