Temptation

Today I was pondering on temptation as I read my scriptures today.  In Putting on the Armor of God Stephen Cramer suggests that we ought not intentionally place ourselves in the path of temptation.  For instance, if we are trying to cut down on snacking, we should not open the fridge with absolutely no intention of eating anything just to see what's in there for later.  Life is hard enough without us multiplying Satan's opportunities for him.  Satan knows us well and he tempts us accordingly.  We already have more than we can handle alone.

I remember a story my mother once told me about a thought that popped into her head many years ago.  She said it was horrible and that she had never even considered something like that before.  She dismissed it immediately, but it really opened her eyes to the reality of the devil and his temptations.  Sometimes we can trick ourselves into thinking that our temptations are coming from ourselves, but perhaps we should remember who is manipulating us and putting those things in our heads to begin with.  When we recognize where those thoughts are coming from then perhaps we will have the strength and will to resist them.