..,.Is The Great Battle of Tug-of-War
Everyone deals with this inner, battle or struggle, conflict within our lives on a regular basis. Trying tenaciously not to give in to those desires or temptations that would perhaps lead us off the course of the desired destination that would and could be more beneficial, however, this duality state of never giving rest to the conscious and unconscious alike. What we sometimes fail to realize…including myself, is that we’re not merely fighting against the unseen known enemies of God, but this fleshly nature that was brought up, cultivated, let loose as a creature of habit in a world that is filled with every desire known to man and woman’s heart to be then set at bay? Far-be-it! It will fight tooth and nail for its existence, its desires, and its lust and against anything or anyone that attempts to derail its very nature of being…including your very own self…your spirit. You see, the spirit only uses the flesh like a suit if you will, to roam around in unfamiliar territory to either be subdued by the world and its lust or advance for the Kingdom of God and reach a higher calling placed upon your life that was set before you were even born. Now the choice is yours…free-will. Experience is our best teacher, and as we continue through this journey called life, we begin to see clearly with an evaluation of self which path we’re more likely to follow…either that of the flesh or the spirit, things of God or things of the world. Granted, some of our decisions are so subtle that we don’t really know if our decisions are right or wrong, we just simply “follow” the crowd, or what we “think” is the right thing to do. The Apostle Paul even came aware that “something” was going on he didn’t quite understand in Romans chapter 7:14-23; 14 We know that the law is spiritual but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil (the flesh and the unseen) is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being (the spirit) I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me (the flesh), waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin (in the world) at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind (Spirit) am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature (Flesh) a slave to the law of sin. Well, he explains this in great detail of this inner struggle or battle that rages and wars against our very souls. But there is hope! He states in verse 24; WHO? Will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 13:5; 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Examine yourselves! On that note, I leave you with this to consider and remember. John 14:27; 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
May God the Father continue to watch over you and your families always and especially during this Corvid-19 crisis. May all your needs be provided and that you are strengthened in your faith and sound in wisdom and understanding and that your spirit becomes stronger than your fleshly nature that you may be able to stand in the hour of need in Jesus name. Amen