Step 3 of 14Two swords on the table

Test the Steel

Old smith in the village sells two swords side by sideOne is forged of honest steel, one's a lie dressed up in prideSame shine on the edges, same weight in your handBut one'll hold the shield wall — and one'll break where you stand

That's how the enemy sells it, that's the oldest trick he's gotHe don't sell you somethin' evil — he sells you what it's not

They're callin' darkness lightAnd light they're callin' darkPuttin' bitter down for sweetAnd sellin' poison in the cupWoe unto the wise men, wise in their own eyesTest the steel before the battleOr it breaks on you in the end

They tell you chains are freedom and they tell you wrong is rightThey tell you that the narrow road's too narrow and too tightThey tell you every lie you want, dressed pretty as can be'Cause the devil don't wear black — he comes dressed like you and me

So how's a man to know it when the whole world's turned around?By the fruit that grows upon it, and the Spirit's quiet sound

The Lord gave every man a measure so he wouldn't have to guessWhat's of God will always lead you to do good and nothin' lessAnd whatever pulls you downward, tellin' you to doubt and strayThat's the enemy's own hammer, and it's forged the other waySo hold it to the fire and watch which way it bends

They're callin' darkness lightAnd light they're callin' darkBut I've held the honest steelAnd I know it in my handsSo let the whole world call it what it willI'll be standin' on the truthWhen their counterfeit breaks down

Two swords on the tableOnly one of 'em will doTest the steel before the battleSo you know which one is true

The story

An old smith sets two swords side by side on the table. Same shine on the edge. Same weight in your hand. One is honest steel and one is a lie dressed up in pride, and you won't find out which is which until you're in the shield wall and your life depends on it. That's how the enemy sells it. He doesn't sell you something evil. He sells you something that looks just like the truth.

Isaiah saw it coming: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness." Look at the order. Light and darkness get swapped first. He doesn't just want you to sin. He wants you to lose the ability to tell the difference, so you never think to repent. And Paul warned that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light. The devil doesn't wear black. He comes dressed like you and me.

So how is anyone supposed to know? This is one of my favorite things about the restored gospel: God didn't leave us to guess. The prophet Mormon taught it plainly, and his son Moroni preserved it. "The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil." The Doctrine and Covenants says the same thing, that this Spirit gives light to every person who comes into the world. Every one of us was born with a measure.

And Mormon tells us how to use it. "Every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ." And whatever persuades us to do evil, and not to believe in Christ, and to deny Him, is of the devil. That's the test. It isn't whether something feels good, or whether everybody likes it, or whether the smart people approve. It's where it leads you. Toward Jesus Christ, or away from Him. Jesus gave the same test: by their fruits ye shall know them.

There's a second witness beyond that light, too. Moroni promised that by the power of the Holy Ghost we may know the truth of all things. The Light of Christ is given to everyone. The gift of the Holy Ghost, received after baptism by the laying on of hands, is a constant companion for those who keep their covenants. Between the two, Heavenly Father has given us everything we need to never be fooled by a counterfeit, as long as we keep listening.

So test the steel now, while there's time. Hold it to the fire and watch which way it bends. The day is coming when every counterfeit breaks, and on that day I want to be standing on the truth, holding the sword that Christ Himself put in my hands.

Sources

Think about it

Think of something you have defended because it felt good, popular or harmless. Set aside how it feels and ask Mormon's question honestly: over time, has it drawn you toward Jesus Christ or away from Him?

Tonight

Pick one thing you watched, read or listened to today and hold it to the fire. Ask, does this invite me to do good and to believe in Christ? Then decide what to do with the answer.

Printable version for families and groups