A War Is Waging
Do you ever feel like there are two things battling inside of you? I’m sure we can all relate to feeling like there is a difference between what your heart wants and what your mind focuses on. For example, your heart may want to experience love and true security, but your mind reminds you of all the times that has failed to happen. Due to that hurt, you won’t allow anyone to get close to your heart, and you are just stuck in your thoughts. In addition, you may even be able to identify the difference between what your flesh does and what your spirit feels. For instance, your fleshly desires may somewhat be satisfied after doing what you know you shouldn’t have, or after saying those harsh words that you have been holding back, yet your spirit still seems upset. Following the flesh leads you to feel worse and unfulfilled, as you look for peace in a world that you feel unsettled in.
What you need to know is that everyone experiences the effects of a war waging inside them, whether they realize it or not.
The war is happening over each person’s soul and against each person’s flesh. We are all born into sin, and therefore, have sinful desires and actions that come with that. However, God intended for us to be holy and set-apart for Him! Second Timothy 2:21 states, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” God wants to restore you so you can experience all the good things, and purposes, He has in store for you! The Lord says in Jeremiah 31:33, “I will put my law within them, and I will write on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” This verse tells of just how much God wants to correct what has so wrongly affected us, which is sin, death, and the devil. This verse also implies how we all have a moral compass in our hearts, which when exercised, helps us to discern right from wrong. In the book of Romans chapter 7 the author, Paul, writes about the law and sin. In verse 23 he explains, “but I see in my member another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” The “members” he is referring to is the body and all that goes into it functioning. This illustrates how sin affects your whole being, like a sickness.
However, God knows how your heart and soul have an enemy, and the fact that the enemy is the devil. God, in His kindness and mercy, sent His son Jesus to die for you and your sins. Out of His love for you, Jesus gave Himself up to defeat all that separated you from Him. But it didn’t end in death! Jesus rose from the dead so that you could be forgiven of you sins and saved to be able to connect to Him once again! As a result, you can now go to God in prayer about anything and He hears you. He will help by strengthening you as you go through this life. Jesus is a lover of you and your soul. He did all He could to keep you from settling for what the world, and the enemy, have to offer. Charles Spurgeon, a famous preacher, puts it this way,
“consider how precious a soul must be when both God and the devil are after it.”
You get to choose which way you want to go and what you want to be apart of. You can run into the arms of the Father, who gave everything to rescue you, for a chance to be with Him forever. The alternative is to choose to go with the devil, and have the worldly things he has to offer. One of the choices guides you to a permanent and loving Father who gives you all you need for each day. The other, offers temporary things of the world and leaves you wanting more.
In Jesus, you realize that it’s not a what that is missing in your life, rather a who that is missing.
You will not find satisfaction in worldly love and activities, when you get a taste of the unconditional love and gifts that come along with living life with Jesus! You gain a Father, Friend, Protector, Provider and a chance to become a part of the family that is in Christ! You will then learn that you are fighting a battle daily, but that you can operate out of victory because Jesus has won the war over your soul! In Romans 8:37-39 Paul, the author, encourages us how, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers nor things present no things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In order to receive all of this you have to have faith and believe in who God is and what He has done to save you. Then, you can identify with the victory that comes in Him as we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! His love is greater than anyone else’s love for you in the world! He has always been with you, waiting for you to come to Him so He can share His forgiveness, security, love, strength, joy, peace, and so much more! So, when dealing with others, remember that each person has more to them, and their life, than what you can see. Each person is dealing with an internal battle they don’t speak about, not understanding why the feelings they have are occurring. Therefore, this is your reminder to be considerate of others and don’t take everything to heart. When mean things are said, or when people don’t live up to your expectations, remember, they aren’t meant to.
If no one can live up to the qualifications for God, then why would they be able to live up to your expectations?
Yet, God still showed His love by sending His son to die for you while you were still an enemy to God (Romans 5:10). Romans 8:8 says, “those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Jesus saved you so you can please God and reap all the benefits from knowing Him, while giving Him glory. So, be patient with yourself, and with others, as something way bigger than your little life is occurring. In addition, remember to cling to Jesus! In Him you are victorious, and He gives you all that you are looking for! Always remember that with Jesus you can get through any battle you face, for He has bought you with a price, and you are His forever (1 Corinthians 6:20)!
