“For the natural man is an enemy to God… and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man” (Mosiah 3:19). This stark declaration cuts through our tendency to rationalize selfish behavior, revealing a fundamental truth: our natural inclinations often oppose God’s will.
What strikes me most about this verse is how it frames the solution. We don’t overcome our natural tendencies through sheer willpower—we “yield” to the Spirit’s enticings. This suggests a gentler process than we might expect, more like following a guide than fighting a battle.
Among the attributes this verse lists as alternatives to our natural state, meekness particularly stands out. Unlike our natural impulse to assert ourselves, meekness requires conscious submission to God’s will. As Paul taught, it’s a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not something we can manufacture through effort alone.
Think about how the Spirit works—not through force but through gentle invitation. When we feel prompted to pause instead of press, to bend instead of break, to defer instead of defy, we’re experiencing these “enticings.” Each time we choose to follow these gentle promptings, we’re gradually putting off the natural man and putting on the divine nature Christ offers.
I testify that as we yield to the Spirit’s enticings, particularly in developing meekness, we gradually put off the natural man and become true disciples of Christ.
Elder Linder 