Feeding the wolf

Sunday sermon 7.11.20

The story is told of an elder Cherokee man telling his grandson of the battle that goes on inside of every person. He said there are two wolves battling.

One is evil- it represents anger, envy, jealousy, regret, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

One is good – representing joy, peace, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

After hearing about the battling wolves within, the grandson asked his Grandfather, “Which one wins?”

“The one you feed”, was the response.

Consider that for a moment in regards to your soul and spirit. Which one wins with more frequency in your life? Your soul or your spirit.

The one you feed, is still true.

Our soul is who we are; our mind, emotions and will. Our spirit is the home for God’s spirit and makes contact with God.

We find ourselves living between these two howling wolves. The soulish one, where we live according to our emotions, fears, understanding, senses and reasoning; and the call of the spirit man urging us to line ourselves up to God’s Word and standard.

The Apostle Paul states it this way,

I do not understand what I do. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Romans 7:15-16

Yet, he also challenges us in Galatians 5 –

So I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (soul). For the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”

Galatians 5:16-17

The one you feed will grow, become stronger and influence your decisions and take over your life. It will become the lens through which you see everything, including your abilities, dreams and purpose.

My heart has been crying out lately for people to arise and feed their spirit.

Your spirit is yearning for food. Crying out like that musical, “Feed me, (Seymour)”. Your spirit needs nourishment. What are you feeding it? Is it starving?

For some that means beginning at step one and igniting your spirit by allowing God to make it alive by being saved, reborn.

Others will need to spend more time in the Word, prayer, study, outreach. Some need to shake off the passiveness and and extend the kingdom more assertive and boldly in their lives.

There are those who need to make some things right, get things in order, deal with issues truthfully.

As you feed your spirit, you are actually cutting off those soulish desires, habits, and thoughts, shutting down those out of control emotions. And, your hungry lil spirit man is enlarging.

If you’re looking for a great spiritual meal right now, you may want to spend some time in Romans 8 and Galatians 5. Then take whatever steps you need to each day to intentionally feed and grow your spirit.

Pray, read, talk with others, study, reach out, help others – these are all healthy ways to feed your starving spirit.

You will find new strength, insight, passion, purpose, faith, and boldness as your spirit grows and your emotions are trained.

In your howling battle within, which wolf is being fed?

Cheers to you.