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.

There are several key points in this passage which intrigued me:

Men are free according to the flesh.
- What does this mean? That having a body is the key ingredient in our free agency? Without our bodies, we would not be free? That makes sense when you think about the spirits that chose to follow Satan. They no longer have the freedom to choose. Without a body, their choices are limited. Hmmm...

All things are given them which are expedient unto man.
- What things are expedient (suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance) for man? A body, a spirit, free agency, temptations for evil, and the enticings of the Spirit all seem like they would be necessary components of a true, valid test for a person. I wonder what else...

They are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men.
- Heavenly Father will not force us to choose good over evil. We have the choice. It would not be a test otherwise. This choice is available to us through the atoning sacrifice of the Savior. Since we all sin, and are unworthy to return to the Father of our own accord, the great Mediator of all men makes it possible for us to decide whether or not we will accept his priceless gift.

Or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.
-No one forces us to do evil, to make wrong choices, to sin. We make that choice all of our own accord. Satan was given the power to bind us when we choose evil and take us captive. The Savior has the power to liberate the captive but only when we fully repent and turn to Him.

For he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
I believe that one of Satan's greatest lies, as the Father of Lies, is that wickedness will make us happy. The world portrays all of its vices as pleasurable, enticing, fun, satisfying, fulfilling, etc. When, in reality, all the world has to offer in the end is discontent, loneliness, and misery. And that is what Lucifer wants. He is a miserable, wretched being that seeks only to have company in his misery. It is amazing how clear his tactics become when we see them through spiritual eyes for what they really are. It's a lot easier to say no to temptations when we view them for what they really are and from whom they really come. Lust, money, power, glory- all are simply trappings that will drag us down to hell.