It seems that evil has an advantage over those who are good because the good have to obey rules and laws, while the evil have none. Those who are wicked can use any trick or means to win the war over control. Those who are good are limited by their own rules. The good cannot murder. They must forgive. They take a position of weakness because they don't steal or cheat, they don't intimidate or abuse, they don't enslave or destroy, and they never seek revenge. Thus the forces of evil can more easily gain the advantage -- or so it seems.
The power of evil
Satan maintains power to fight the war in the same way God does, by obedience. The devil has power over others based on two principles: need and fear. Those who have needs are easily enslaved to them. If a person finds that heroin fills a need he will seek more, but it only works for brief periods of time so his life is spent seeking to fill that need. The same is true for any addiction -- money, power, sex, drugs, security, alcohol, and so forth. The needs really are filled by the addiction, but only briefly, keeping the person enslaved to the need. Fear is induced by the specter of suffering. Those who try to avoid pain and suffering are told by Satan that they can avoid it. He promises that there won't be any sacrifices, suffering, deprivation, or discomfort -- if we do as he says. In both cases he lies, because addictions don't bring fulfillment, and suffering comes to everyone. Thus, the powers of evil are based on belief in things that aren't true.
Many people believe the lies and fall into the trap of sin. Thus, evil has forces that are organized to fight against all that is good. But, this is not the same as the obedience of the good, because it is against the will of the individual. They don't want to obey, but they must out of fear or pain.
The reality is that evil is limited by itself. The more evil a group becomes, the less unified they are, and they divide themselves, lessening their power.
The very nature of evil creates dissension because the foundation of wickedness is a lack of rules, or rebellion. Those who are rebellious against the rules of good, will also be rebellious against the rules of evil. Because of this concept, evil cannot survive long in any circumstance. It can only lead to destruction. The Book of Mormon speaks of this phenomenon in the Gadianton Robbers when Nephi was telling the Nephites about their wickedness, he told them of the death of their ruler, who was killed by his brother -- both of whom belonged to the same gang. Gangs cause dissension which spawns rival gangs. There is no unity in evil, only destruction. "...It is by the wicked that the wicked are punished." (Mormon 4:5)
Because evil has no rules, they are divided and limited in their power; disunity and disharmony limit them to the power of an individual. One horse can pull 500 pounds, but two horses can pull 2000 pounds. How is it that the power of one is increased by four? It's simple physics. The first horse must overcome the force of friction, once he does that, the entire strength of the second horse can be used in pulling a much heavier load. Individuals have little power -- there is only real strength in unity.
The power of good
Only those who can tolerate suffering can get out of the clutches of Satan, or "overcome" his binding power. "He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world." (D&C 63:47) Power is given to those who obey God. The laws of God are a roadmap out of servitude to Satan and therefore give us power. The rules promise suffering now with great rewards after "the trial of our faith."
Because good is, by definition, obedient to rules, they have no limitations. Their unity brings them together to fight the war, and though their numbers may be much less than those on the side of wickedness. The work they can accomplish is exponentially greater than the same number of individuals. This is illustrated nicely in the army of Helaman in the Book of Mormon. "...They did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness... and there was not one soul of them who did perish." (Alma 57:21, 25) Obedience brings unity, and power.
Those who are obedient have the power to be free of the chains of hell. With this freedom they can choose to be more obedient, giving them more power to overcome. Since the good are obedient to the laws of God, He can command them in all things. They then become one, or are unified in the service of God. They don't rebel against any laws. Their unity gives them power against the forces of evil.
Moreover, those who do good bear the burdens of one another. Our own burdens are like a lot of friction and incapacitate us. We are unable to do anything outside of ourselves because we feel like "our cross is too heavy to bear." However, just as the first horse "bears the burden" of the second so they can pull four times as much, the act of taking on the burdens of others makes us truly powerful. By working together we can do much more than all of us can accomplish alone. The Gospel of Jesus Christ makes us powerful because he commands that we "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light."
Thus, good can triumph over evil. Obedience brings power, and taking on the burdens of others multiplies that power. This is why a few righteous people can win the war against so many who are in the ranks of the wicked.
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