33 (9-11-23) More Holiness Give Me

 33- (9-11-23) More Holiness Give Me

More Holiness Give Me

I have been reading President Packer’s book “That All May Be Edified” and there was a section from a talk he gave that I wanted to share that has been in line with my recent scripture study and also with some of the stake conference messages this past weekend in our stake. These thoughts center around our desire to increase the purity of our lives. Purity encompasses so much, but keeping ourselves morally clean is a very big part of it. None of us are exempt from this powerful tool of the adversary in this crazy world we live in. So below is a message I wanted to share from President Packer.

“You must learn this: Overcoming moral temptation is a very private battle, an internal battle.” There are many around you who want to help and who can help, parents, a bishop, a marriage partner… But this is an individual battle.

“You have the God-given right to be free and to choose. In speaking about ridding ourselves of immoral thoughts or habits he said: “Do not try merely to discard a bad habit or a bad thought. Replace it. When you try to eliminate a bad habit, if the spot where it used to be is left open it will sneak back and crawl again into that empty space. It grew there; it will struggle to stay there. When you discard it, fill up the spot where it was. Replace it with something good. Replace it with unselfish thoughts, with unselfish acts. Then, if an evil habit or addiction tries to return, it will have to fight for attention. Sometimes it may win. Bad thoughts often have to be evicted a hundred times, or a thousand. But if they have to be evicted ten thousand times, never surrender to them. You are in charge of you. I repeat, it is very, very difficult to eliminate a bad habit just by trying to discard it. Replace it.” Then he shared this scripture in Mathew.

Mathew 12:43-45

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Our prophet has taught us that increased purity is part of the sacred combination that unlocks personal revelation in our lives. The invitation I would like to extend to all of us this week is to evaluate our individual purity. What are steps we could take to increase this purity? Let us replace what ever the Spirit prompts us to change with something more holy and worthy of our attention. 

As we prayerfully consider where we can make inspired changes may I suggest we read the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns. It always brings a powerful spirit of humility to my heart and I hear these words:

Lyrics

1. More holiness give me,
More strivings within,
More patience in suff’ring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of his care,
More joy in his service,
More purpose in prayer.

2. More gratitude give me,
More trust in the Lord,
More pride in his glory,
More hope in his word,
More tears for his sorrows,
More pain at his grief,
More meekness in trial,
More praise for relief.

3. More purity give me,
More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be,
More blessed and holy—
More, Savior, like thee.

My personal testimony is that through the Holy Ghost He will purify our desires and hearts as we turn to him in prayer, pleading for His help, willing to submit our natural selves to our spiritual nature, and to His will.

You may tire of hearing it, but your Mama and I love you more than you know. We lay in bed at night talking about each one of you, and we marvel at your goodness. We are so blessed to have you as our children, our forever family!