If the war we face is between our flesh and our spirit, which will win? Well, the final answer to this question was answered by Jesus Christ's death on the cross!!! Every child of God will enjoy the ultimate victory of having their body pass away and receiving a new body that will connect with our spirit in Heaven. "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands", (2 Corinthians 5:1). So, if we know that we will ultimately win the war, why fight the battles? Because God calls us to live out our lives in a certain way. To a disciple of Christ, living out this life in the way and manner of Christ's example is just as important as getting into Heaven. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly", (John 10:10). Our Good Shepherd did not lay down His life just so we can be destroyed in this life by sin and the enemy. Jesus died so that not only will we have life everlasting with our Heavenly father, but so that our lives will testify of His glory as we live a life of conquering sin and preaching salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ!!!
This is accomplished by a simple principle that was explained to me a long time ago. It is a simple principle but hard to keep in practice. The principle is best illustrated by this story. An old man had two dogs, a black one and a white one. One day a child comes to him and asks him, "Sir, if you were to allow your two dogs to fight, which one do you think would win"? The old man responds; "the one I feed the most". We have two dogs in this fight, the spirit and the flesh. Now as we first come to God, we have to realize that up until that point the only dog that had been feed was the flesh. Once we gain our spirit, the flesh takes a mighty blow but it doesn't go away. At that point the flesh is still stronger than the spirit because it has had years of eating. Following the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ feeds the Spirit. It is not just enough to feed the spirit but we also have to starve the flesh. Cutting out some music, entertainment, friendships, relationships, and habits that fuel our flesh are necessary in building up the spirit and starving the flesh. See we can't feed both the spirit and the flesh because God's word says; "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth", (Revelation 3:15-16). We must hate what is evil and love what is good!!! Feeding our spirits daily will afford us a solid ground to stand against the enemy. Remember that our lives are not our own anymore, they were paid for by Christ and therefore we are His property!!! Christ gave us two commandments and they can only be fulfilled through the spirit!!! "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself", (Matthew 22:38-39). Today, starve your flesh and feed your spirit, so that your Father may see your love for Him and your neighbors!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of experiencing Spirit, Body, and Soul on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
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