Justification

While analyzing the difference in day to day function between the brain and the spirit I have come up with an interesting observation concerning justification. For the purpose of making my point I will be referring to two different types of justification: self-justification (self-betrayal) and Godly justification. One of the key characteristics of life is having choices. Each day we are presented with a myriad of choices and each choice like a drop of water into a bucket helps create and forge our characters. More often then not each choice is relatively simple to make, it is almost even automatic, done without thinking. However, sometimes we are presented with new situations, stimuli and temptations during which times we must evaluate and decide on what would be the best choice. When a moral issue comes into question there is more often then not an internal struggle fought by our brain, who's purpose is natural survival fueled by aggression, lust and instinct and our spirit which seeks the will of God, honor, and peace. The ensuing battle is what I can justification and depending on which side wins it is either self-justification (self-betrayal) or Godly-justification. Self-justification (self-betrayal) is when we allow our brain to determine the true of our perceptions or in other words when we allow the natural man to sit in the throne of decision. It is when we tell our selves 'it's ok just this once' or 'it doesn't really matter because everyone else is doing it' or when we simply just bullheadedly go ahead ignoring the gentle pleadings of our spirit. The more often we self  justify the more comfortable we are will allowing our low, crude, carnal, and filthy natural man to sit in the throne of decision. Tainting everything he touches, the natural man as he steers the ship will created false perceptions, unfair judgements, and will dull our moral sensitivities. Each of these symptoms if you will make it more and more difficult to make the right choice when it presents its self. The good news however is that there is a way to scrub clean the throne room and throw out the impostor. Remember that allowing the natural man to rule is like welcoming an impostor beggar to sit in a kings throne. Our bodies were created and given to us for the purpose of housing our spirits. The throne of decision rightfully belongs to the part of us which is eternal and pure, the essence which is both the offspring of God, made in the very likeness of Him and has the potentiality to attain what God is and has. The Book of Mormon teaches that it is very difficult to overthrow an unrighteous king and impossible to do without much bloodshed. It is the same for us when we allow the natural man to usurp power and control. It becomes more difficult when he has been in place for a long time because the longer the natural man contaminates the throne of decision the more deeply rooted our false perceptions and clouded judgement become. However it is possible and the process is called Godly justification. this is when we are: 1.) taught and tutored by the spirit of God,  2.) our eyes are opened to see between truth and error causing our false perception to crumble and the cloud over our judgement to disperse,  and finally 3.) when we reclaim the throne of decision and are ruled by our spirit and its Godly tendencies. It can be a long and arduous process but this battle is not fought alone. Each of us are given the Light of Christ which illuminates the battlefield which when hearkened to gives us directions. Also we have the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost serves as a personal advisor throughout this process. He is like a royal consultant who (as we hearken to Him) opens our eyes and gives us power to act in accordance with Gods will. This happens as we immerse ourselves in activities that are inviting to spiritual experiences. By reading the scriptures we are taught by the spirit principles and patterns which as they are applied to our personal lives will become a war strategy and game plan to regain the throne. acts of service and participating in spiritual uplifting activities will rise our spiritual self confidence and deepen our resolve to become more spiritually minded. Finally through prayer, sincere prayer where we poor our hearts out to God and listen intently, we will gain the mind of God. He will teach us correct perceptions and righteous judgements. And just as over time the natural man was able to maneuver his way into the throne of decision and taint our being we put off the natural man and return the throne to its rightful heir. This is when we will find peace. As we allow ourselves to be spiritually minded we do not have to struggle with guilt which is the result of self-justification (self-betrayal) or deal with the confusion which results from false perceptions.  So remember as Paul taught the Romans "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God... but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (kill) the deeds of the body, ye shall live." and as Nephi echoed "O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness is transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal." We become who we are mentally and who we are mentally is defined by who we yield most often to. So let us remember and yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and put off the natural man and become a Saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.