Lesson 05 The Natural Man

I’ve always loved the scripture that is found in Mosiah 3:19.  It says, “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”.  It tells us in a straightforward way how we can overcome the natural man.  When I first read this verse and it tell us to become as a child, I was confused.  I think about my own children and sometimes they drive me absolutely batty.  However, as I reviewed the attributes that are laid out in the scripture, I began to see my children in a new light.  To overcome the natural man, we must be patient and full of love.  In order to gain these attributes, we have to be humble enough to realize that we cannot do it on our own.  We must get on our knees and ask our Heavenly Father to help us progress and become better each day.  As I’ve had the opportunity to work on these attributes, I’ve realized that you also must have a good support group around you.  My wife is amazing and is quick to point out when I am regressing in these attributes.  For some, that may not work but someone to keep me honest and on track with my goals and eternal progression works perfect.