Sherri Dew teaches wonderful concepts in her book, "No One Can Take Your Place." The first chapter discusses how we stood by our Father and His Son in the most difficult circumstance and did not flinch, and how we will stand by Him again throughout mortality.
Flinch is defined as "to shrink from" or "to tense involuntarily in fear." There are so many things in this world that make me flinch - deceptions, snares, and even distractions which are inspired by Satan to trap and derail me from my safe return home to heaven. He does this by unleashing his fury against all who are determined to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9). I have the challenge to stand loyally by God and not flinch now as I did in the pre-mortal life.
That's not an easy task with all of life's distractions, such as the internet and my fiction writing. For guidance, I study the lives of people who managed well the same challenge. The scriptures provide me with great examples of faithful, committed men and women who did not flinch. Moses' encounter with Lucifer is a perfect example for me to follow. Lucifer tried to tempt and deceive Moses four times. He said: "Moses, son of man, worship me" (Moses 1:12). Because Moses already had a marvelous experience with God, he could easily distinguish between God and Satan, so he wasn't fooled. He responded with: "Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not. I will not cease to call upon God." (Moses, 1:16, 18).
I am often able to tell when the Lord is speaking and when Satan is. The Lord prompts me to do good, while Satan tempts me to avoid doing good, since he has a hard time getting me to perform a horrible act. So far, I haven't beaten or murdered anyone, so he must be frustrated with me. But I need to read the scriptures more and pray more so I will not be distracted or deceived without even realizing it.
