Satan's Cynical Pathway

A friend related to us a sad tale this week. After many years of faithfulness in the gospel, her husband of many years has become disillusioned and cynical. Despite raising 10 children together faithfully in the church, most of whom have served missions and have families of their own, he has allowed himself to slip into complete inactivity. His wife remains true to her faith, but is lonely and distraught. Further details reveal that his inactivity began with subtle cynicism through the reading of faith-eroding material on the internet. The activity final took its toll. He is now suspicious of members and their friendliness, and discounts the miracles that he has witnessed in his past. Each of us is potentially susceptible to this. Satan's tool of cynicism towards religion is a subtle one. To ensure an ever-vibrant testimony as we endure life, The Book of Mormon repeatedly warns of the need for regular prayer and supplication before the Lord. It also documents the risks if we instead heed the cynical pathways provided by Satan.

 3 Nephi 2:1 And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—
 2 Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.

LESSON LEARNED: Daily nurturing of the Spirit is necessary to ensure our testimonies stay strong and vibrant. To stray and listen to the cynical voice of Satan will erode faith.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU EVER FOUND YOURSELF OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW STRAYING FROM THEIR FAITH AS THEY CHOSE TO HEED THE CYNICAL MESSAGES OF SATAN INSTEAD OF THE SPIRIT?