One evening, an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.
"One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
"The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
-- author anonymous
Which wolf am I feeding? The evil one or the good one? Which wolf is getting its cravings satisfied by my choices?
As we read from Galatians 3, we will find these same “wolves” present in our lives – the fruits of the spirit and the fruits (or deeds) of the flesh.
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also [choose to] walk by the Spirit.” (vv. 19-25)
Those lists are very similar to those in the wolf illustration, are they not? The characteristics of the evil wolf can be compared to those of the flesh. The characteristics of the good wolf can be compared to those of the Spirit. And just as the wolves must be fed, so my good and evil desires and behaviors must be fed in order to grow. So how do I get the good fruit, the good behavior, the good attitudes in my life? By the choices that I make in life.
“But I say, [choose to] walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (vv. 16-18)
I choose to live according to the Spirit of God or I choose to live according to the lusts of my fleshly desires. Yes, it’s a choice. As a Christian I have the Holy Spirit with me at all times. He will instruct me toward truth and life. But it is my choice if I am going to live His way or my own way.
“But I just can’t help myself!” you may say, “This desire is just too strong to resist.” Ah, but you can help yourself. You can choose to turn around. You can choose to get the counsel or accountability that it takes to help you resist. You can choose to pursue the way of Christ rather than your own way… the way that isn’t working for you! And once you make that choice, you are no longer alone in the struggle. Once you choose Christ, you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens” you (Philippians 4:13).
Jesus said, “[Choose to] Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in [is connected to] the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me” John 15:4. Do you want your life to produce good fruit? Then choose to abide in Christ. Do you desire love, joy, peace, patience,…self-control? Then choose to let Jesus teach you and guide you and live through you. Without Him, you can do nothing. When you are connected to Him, when you choose to abide in Him, there WILL be good fruit!
It is up to me to choose which “wolf” I will feed. God will not choose for me. No one else can choose for me. If I choose to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15), if I choose to abide in Christ, if I choose to walk in the Spirit, if I choose to know Him as He desires for me to know Him, then Christ promises to give me the strength to accomplish the task (Philippians 4:13). He promises that He will provide what I need (Philippians 4:19). He assures me that He will produce the fruit that I desire to have displayed in my life (John 15:4, 5).
So which wolf will you choose to feed? Only you can make that choice.
----------
FEATURED RESOURCE
Winning Spiritual Warfare
by Neil T. Anderson
Are you facing a spiritual battle that seems too big to win? Satan knows he can block your effectiveness as a Christian if he can deceive you into believing you are nothing but a product of your past, subject to sin, prone to failure, controlled by your habits. This provides a practical, step-by-step guide to overcoming the strategies of the devil. In clear, easy-to-understand terms, Neil Anderson shows you what you can do to experience the full victory and freedom that Christ purchased for you on the cross.
Click here to learn more about this resource
.jpg)
