Which Man Are You Feeding?

“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:8)

Inside the soul of every Christian man or woman is a dual-nature.

An old Cherokee proverb describes this as a battle between a white wolf and a black wolf inside a man' chest:

“We all have two wolves inside us. And these wolves are constantly fighting each other. There is a white wolf and a black wolf. The black wolf is filled with fear, anger, envy, jealousy, greed, and arrogance. The white wolf is filled with peace, love, hope, courage, humility, compassion, and faith. They battle each other constantly. Which wolf wins?  The one that we feed.” 

The apostle Paul describes this dual-nature well in Romans chapter 7. He said the good things he wanted to do, he was not doing. But the bad things he loathed, were the things he practiced. (See Romans 7:15-25). The bible refers to our two natures as the "old man" and the "new man." (See Ephesians 4:17-24). Our old sinful nature is also referred to as "the flesh." Our new, regenerated, born again heart and nature is the new man.

I personally experienced this past week, and also witnessed in the lives of a few people who are close to me, that the "man" we choose to feed is the one who wins. 

The old man - vs. - the new man.  

If I feed my old man spiritual junk food, worldly garbage, and sensual processed food, he will only grow bigger, meaner and stronger.

However, if I feed my new man intimate time spent with God in prayer, in worship, in time spent reading and meditating on His Word, and through time spent in fellowship with other godly men, my new man will grow stronger, refreshed and revived in Christ.

But you have to choose.

It's one, or the other. A double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways. http://marriage-miracles.blogspot.com/2012/03/double-minded-man.html

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:17) 

Which "man" are you feeding today?

Here's the evidence from Galatians chapter 5.

Feeding the old man:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Verses 19-21)

Feeding the new man:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Verses 22-25)

Self control. 

Even though this is listed last, having, or lacking, self control reveals all. For if I truly love Jesus, I will walk in the Spirit and exercise self control. 

Jesus said, 

"If a man loves Me he will keep My commandments." (John 14:21)

The heart is central. 

God is faithful, and does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle, and with temptation He always provides the way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Jesus is the Way.

Knowing that truth and the faithfulness of God, your love for Him, my love for Him, will be evident in the fruit of our daily choices.

The old man - vs. - the new man.

Which "man" will win the battle within you today? 

      —The one that you feed.

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.