The Demonic Powers of Man

authored by Juliet on ldsfreedomforum.com 
https://ldsfreedomforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=69743

I got a revelation this morning while I was processing the trauma of signing up for a therapy phone call, and having put in the wrong phone number; I missed a $250 appointment. This was an online thing, and I hope I get it resolved; but so far I have gotten no assurance about it.

As I was doing the healing work on my triggered feelings, feeling stupid... feeling the loss of money, feeling used, all that... And this is the second time in 3 days I have made a stupid mistake that caused me to feel such feelings of anguish. So when things happen back to back like that, I know there is some lesson in that to be learned. Actually, I truly loved Elder Bednar's talk about how life can give us real living parables...because I find this principle to be true in my own life. I actually think it's one of the major reasons why we come to earth to get a body....because only in the living flesh can we experience things in a physical material sense, that drive the truth and reality of the principles that balance Creation home...

I got this revelation.

When we make mistakes, we come under the "demonic powers of man". We legally and spiritually have done wrong. No matter what the intent of our heart was; we are in trouble. If people want to harm us; they can. They have the reasons and justifications for it. If this woman wants to take my money, she can, because in her view, I didn't show up for the appointment. She has the legal right to harm me by taking my money and not providing the appointment; because I made a stupid mistake. In order to rectify this; she will have to go out of her way to fix it; and so far she shows no intention of doing so (having not replied to my emails). Often times these mistakes leave us feeling crippled by the loss, and then there is the self hatred and shame that come next...if only we had been less stupid!

The principle I learned is that we must be protected from our mistakes. The idea comes to mind... Who requires us to be perfect? It isn't God... it is Man. Now don't get me wrong.... making mistakes causes consequences, it causes confusion, disorder, and more mistakes to happen. But how do we treat each other when such mistakes are made? The way we should treat each other is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to see each other the way we would want others to see us.

So in response to the thread that was opened yesterday... how do we expose the sins of others? Well, who says other people are not supposed to sin? Of course, reason states it. Sin causes problems for everyone. So if we understand this, that the sinner has already acted unreasonably; then how do we respond? Well how does the Lord respond? Does He not clothe us in garments of His righteousness and ask those who were put out by our sin to forgive us so they too can inherit the same Kingdom God has freely given us? Is this not the gospel of good news?

And what Does God ask a husband to do for his wife.... let's say she is imperfect in keeping the commandments? Should he beat her or punish her or force her to do something she doesn't feel safe doing? Or is it a husband's job to clothe, provide, and protect his wife, to love her so her heart can open safely. To protect her from the demonic powers of man that would destroy not only her; but also her children if she and/or they make a mistake without him being there to protect her/them and house them safely so as to shelter them from such storms that occur in the world...

There truly are 2 forces that govern the universe. A strong force and a weak force. The strong forces give energy to the weak forces. Like a husband to a wife, like a parent to a child, like a skilled laborer to an inexperienced laborer, like a teacher to a student, like a spiritually faithful person such as a prophet; to the person who has not seen, and therefore has not believed.

There will always be sin, powerful and plenty; according to the eyes and definitions of man. But in God's eyes; the real sin; and perhaps the ONLY sin; is when we fail to love one another. And why does this occur? Because of our imperfections. Because we transgress and err; and when we do so; put ourselves under the demonic powers of man. And what are these powers? The power to accuse, hurt, belittle, betray, make fun of, despise, exile, and even kill other human beings because of their sins; because of their mistakes; because of their weakness. This is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are the demonic powers of man. They are allowed because they are legal. When we make a mistake, God does not force mankind to forgive, cherish, love, resolve, and take care of one another. Only those who are "set apart" or "called of God" will do this; and when they do; they become 'ministers" to others.

The demonic powers are legally operating according to the principles of Creation. But we are supposed to overcome these powers... as Jesus "overcame the world" and became "a husband" to the world. We cannot punish nature for allowing demonic principalities. Any more than we can punish a mother for letting her children cause a raucus. To protect their future lives, a husband or father figure is needed to protect the wife and children REGARDLESS of their sins. Hence the covenant of marriage was meant to be eternal. Not for a day in the future when we are all perfect. For a day HERE AND NOW when we are imperfect, as a means of "overcoming the flesh" and restoring us to eternal life.