Avoiding Temptation

Today we discussed how Satan tempted the Savior and how the Savior reacted. To help illustrate how Satan tempts us, we tried the object lesson suggested in the teacher's manual.

Do Oranges Float?
John Aguilar took our large, glass cookie jar and filled it with water. The class took a vote and 3 said the orange would float...the rest said it wouldn't. Here's what we found:

• With the peel: YES!

Nick Beidleman volunteered the peel the orange. Piece by piece, the peel came off....

• Without the peel: NO...IT SINKS!

So what?! Well the peel is likened unto things that "keep us afloat" spiritually.

• Scripture Study
• Prayer
• Family Home Evening
• Church Attendance
• Seminary Attendance
• Wholesome music
• Keeping the Commandments

When Satan tempts us, it's seldom with something so extreme as "GO STEAL THAT CAR" or "GO ROB THAT BANK". No, he "carefully" leads us down the path of sin. Piece by piece, bit by bit, he tries to pull our peel away. "Lie a little", "don't read your scriptures tonight", "don't pray, you're too tired" or "disobey your parents here and there" are temptations the devil uses to get us on the path to the bigger sins. And before you know it...your peel is gone and you're sinking.

Christ taught us to not even ENTERTAIN the thought of giving in to temptation. His response to Satan was "GET THEE HENCE". In essence, "I'll have nothing to do with you, go away NOW!".

It was a fun lesson. I hope the kids got a lot out of it.

Side note: Nick was instructed that the orange was not to be eaten as it was my breakfast. Nevertheless, he caved to temptation and ate the orange. Of course, I quickly forgave. After all, he doesn't know where John got the water it was floating in! :-)