Denial

" . . . deny yourselves of all ungodliness"

Most of us think of denial as a state of being. Having opposition to some truth that is injuring us that we are not willing to be honest with ourselves about. My wife might say:

"Eroc, you're addicted to cereal. It's a problem! You really need to stop, I love you!"

Then I might say:

"No, I am not addicted. I just love the sugary milky goodness of breakfast dessert at all times of the day!"

Then she retorts "3 bowls after 10 p.m.! That is not okay!"

Denial.

Also, true story. That actually happened.  I wonder why I can't get my lower abs back. Well that's probably a good reason. If we are what we eat then I am various meats and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Lots of it. Or Berry Colossal Crunch (Walmart brand, way better than Cap'n, doesn't tear up the top of your mouth). So comes the lesson that I must learn time and time again. Sometimes you must deny yourself. When I look back denied meant Dikembe Mutombo tossing people and wagging the finger. "No, no, no"

Andy Mineo once said 

"This year's gonna be different, I think my favorite word will be no.

Opportunities come and they go but none of them are worth my soul."

Free agency is the greatest gift we have been given but we must use it wisely. President Thomas S. Monson said "Decisions determine destiny."

Am I destined to be chubby because they advertise cereal too well? Or am I addicted? Should I stop eating so much and focus more on fitness? I choose what I will be. I change my mind. No one else is in charge of me but me. In truth the decisions are already made for us. Heavenly Father has given us the plan and laid it out in front of us. 

The scriptures are the map. The Lord is the key. The prophets are the pen. All we have to do is follow. We choose to follow and He promises to give us everything. 

2 Nephi 2:27 "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

All things are given which are expedient unto man. We have been given everything that we need! It's all right there for us to take, but will we take it? Will you deny yourself and choose the right?

I had a friend in high school who was freakishly big and strong for his age. Freshman year he was 6'4 and 240 pounds whoa big fella! We was also coordinated and athletic, not just big. He had the opportunity to play football and basketball at the JV level and practice with varsity. It was expected for him to go D1 on q full ride scholarship somewhere. All he had to do was work hard in the classroom and on the court while steering clear of the evils of the world. 

Would he take the full ride or no? He chose the easier route. Which was to talk back to coaches, get caught up with gangs, and then drugs. He didn't do his school work. He stopped going to practice. He hung more and more with the wrong crowd. This boy could be in the NFL by now, but instead I see him at 24 hour fitness trying to lose his beer belly. He is trying to support 2 children from 2 women and still trying to overcome addictions. He is tattooed, overweight, and unhappy. Instead of denying himself the easy, worldly things, he denied himself a better life. 

The Lord wants to give us a full ride. We've actually already signed the contract and He will deliver! We just have to uphold our side. How will He put us on the field at the Rose Bowl if we stopped playing football? If we stopped practicing? If we didn't work out? If we didn't have grades? If we didn't put in the work? 

It takes work. Consistent, sincere effort. If we expect a heavenly home how can we expect not to live a heavenly life? 

Deny yourself ungodliness accept His love and His plan. We have a scholarship for Heaven, live worthy of it. Eat less spiritual cereal. Work out for your salvation. Work out your salvation.

Moroni 10:32 "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ."

Beast mode when you deny ungodliness