The Natural Man - a Process Worth Pursuing

Mosiah 3

“The natural man is an enemy to God.”

This thought hits me hard today.  I know far too many who have trouble controlling their “natural”.  What does that look like?  To begin with, look at my post yesterday.  It starts by not attending to your duty, aka going to your meetings.  Why is that?  Because it is there we are exposed to others trying hard to overcome the natural man.  They relate experiences we may be having and how they struggled to overcome them.  We gain ideas.  We are strengthened by their courage and gain the courage to conquer the same battles.  We feel of the Spirit in these meetings as we hear testimonies born.  It is a natural process moving toward Heavenly Father – just like not attending our meetings creates within us a natural tendency to live unrighteous lives.  Why am I beating this drum so hard? 

How do I overcome the natural man?  King Benjamin spells it out very clearly:

• Yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit
• Become a saint through the atonement of Christ.
• Become as a child
• Submissive
• Meek
• Humble
• Patient
• Full of love
• Willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict

• What does submissive mean? To submit to others, namely our Heavenly Father.  Do those things He has asked us to do. 
• Meek?  Enduring injury with patience and without resentment; mild, not violent or strong, down-to-earth, humble, modest, unassuming, unpretentious.
• Humble?  Not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive
• Patient?  Bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint. To forbear when being provoked.   Not hasty.  Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity. 

These are all very self explanatory.  The bottom line is that we must keep our cool, even when things get hot.  Whether it be a relationship with a loved one, a co-worker or a stranger on our path.  I’ve observed my husband through the years and he seems to have mastered these traits beautifully.  He does not get rattled – ever!  It is not because he doesn’t care either.  As flames in the mountains are threatening our home, he calmly gathers his papers and irreplaceable things and puts them where he feels he can guard them.  He stands at the ready, but isn’t visibly anxious.  He knows the Lord is in charge and is willing to accept whatever that brings.  It is inspiring to see such control.  Even when I create some resistance to those things he is trying to do, he is full of love for me and only calmly tells me his goal is to protect those things that will provide for our needs.  As I look at the traits of the natural man, he has quite beautifully made these traits his own. 

Yes, we must overcome the natural man in order to be worthy of living with our Heavenly Father some day.  It is a process, but one worthy of pursuing.