Here's the link to today's thought: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/62?lang=eng. The specific verse for my thought is verse 10. Apply this verse to your own life; last time I wrote about how the Spirit of God is the spirit of freedom, so anything that offends the Spirit is decreasing your freedom and therefore dangerous. And, according to this verse, whatever vice it may be that we find within ourselves, whether it be swearing, certain television shows, or games, it is "expedient" that anything "found denying [us our] freedom [should be] speedily executed," or in other words, taken out of our life. If it is a television show, stop watching it. A game? Quit playing it. Bad friends? Quit spending time with them. We should do everything in our power to keep the Holy Ghost as our constant companion and guide!
I personally can testify of the power of following this counsel. About a year ago I realized that I needed to make some changes in my life. I love to read, but had started reading books that had scenes in them that were not appropriate. While I was addicted to these kinds of books, I could also tell that the Spirit had a harder time helping me and being with me because I was reading smutty books. So, I stopped. Cold turkey. And it was really really hard! I would have down time where, before I had read, and now I had to find something else to occupy my spare time, because I couldn't trust myself to not pick up a book like that if I decided to read. It has been almost a year since making that decision, and I am just barely starting to read again. I still love to read! But I now have the strength to only read good, uplifting books that won't make the Spirit leave my company. Hard things are worth it!
