Episode 47: Transcending Self Deception

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Self deception is real and being aware of it and where it comes from will help you transcend it. I am not talking about being deceived or confused by the ideas and actions of others. I am talking about your own self, deceiving you.

This type of self deception comes in the form of feeling inadequate, not being good enough, feeling overwhelmed, a need to be perfect, always needing to do more (never satisfied) and that your weaknesses disqualify you. That type of deception comes from within.

I would be willing to bet that you have experience that before because you are a human living in a fallen world.  That is part of the challenge of living here. Why is it that we are all experiencing this? Because opposition was placed inside of each of us at the fall of Adam and Eve so inevitably we will experience these types of thoughts.

Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit was part of the plan of salvation. They had to choose for themselves to start this world on the path of experiencing opposition. With that opposition came the blessing of agency.

Without opposition inside of us, we would not have a choice between good and evil. We would only know good. Adam and Eve needed to use agency to start agency. There had to be opposition in that choice as well. Hence, God told them to not partake of the fruit. Giving them the opportunity to use agency.

That opposition we all have inside of us is called the natural man. In the scriptures the natural man is referred to as the enemy to God. Simply meaning, the opposite of God.

The job of the natural man is to make you feel inadequate, not good enough, overwhelmed,  a need to be perfect, always needing to do more (never satisfied) and that your weaknesses disqualify you. Those are all the opposite of what God would tell you.

When we start believing what the natural man is telling us we open the door to Satan allowing him to work on us as well. Satan is desperate to convince us of something that is not true. Especially when it comes to our worth. 

Elder Holland gave an amazing talk called "Cast Not Therefore Away Your Confidence." I always love how beautifully Elder Holland puts things. I want to share with you some of his insights that will help you understand the adversary and opposition. A few of the things he stated are as follows.  

“Most of us do not need any more reminders, than we have already had, that there is one who personifies 'opposition in all things.'"

“This opposition turns up almost any place something good has happened.”

 "With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. 'Cast not away therefore your confidence.' Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you."

The goal is not to try and never experience the natural man. For that is impossible. The goal is to recognize WHEN you are and have the right tools to combat those thoughts. This will help you not allow Satan to convince you that opposition is truth.

In the October 2021 General Conference, Elder Kopischke said, “To combat such deception, it is important to remember that the Savior loves each of His Father’s children. He fully comprehends the pain and struggle that many experience as they live with a broad range of mental health challenges. He suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; … [taking] upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people’ Because He understands all afflictions, He knows how ‘to heal the brokenhearted.' Challenges often indicate a need for additional tools and support and are not a character defect."

I loved this when I heard it because it personifies exactly what I am trying to help women learn to do. Which is to recognize that self-deception is part of the experience you will have on this earth. The goal isn’t to avoid it, it’s to return to the Savior in those moments and experience His enabling power.

“We will experience stress and turmoil because we live in a fallen world with a fallen body."  ~ Elder Kopischke        

Unfortunately, simply understanding this doesn’t make it easier to experience opposition. We need to learn to combat it and learn to work with it. Elder Bednar said, ​“Understanding the intent of an enemy is vital to effective preparation for possible attacks.”

That is exactly what I teach you to do in my Removing Roadblocks to Revelation Group Coaching Program.  I teach you how to understand the intent of your internal enemy, the natural man. I use mental health skills to help you learn to remove these internal battles that the natural man creates. Thus helping you return to your true divine self so you can receive what God needs you to receive in this fallen world. 

“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

~President Nelson