So which dog are you feeding?

Have ever seen someone making a bad decision, and wondering where their mind was at? Have you ever made a bad decision and wondered where your own mind was at?

The Word of God teaches us that we Christians are caught between two natures (the two dogs in the picture- by the way, we're the bone in the picture), and these two natures are constantly tugging on us from opposite directions. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that in Christ we are a new creation and that all things are becoming new. Unfortunately, our old nature continues to battle for the bone, i.e., us!

"For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin."
(Rom 7:15-25)

So, what is the answer to this dilemma? Our hope of victory and glory is Christ in us! (Col. 1:17). We must dwell in God's Word (John 8:31-32), and think on good things (Philippians 4:8-9).

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Joh 8:31-32)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Php 4:8-9)

Freedom from bondage and worry and fear is ours in Christ. Freedom from the guilt of pass sin, freedom from the influence of past curses, it is all ours in Christ. Christ is a person, but He is a person that can dwell in us, and us in Him.

When we dwell in Christ and walk in the Spirit and His way we are feeding the good nature (good dog), and we dwell on ourselves and our self-gratifying wants and desires, we are feeding our old nature (bad dog). The dog you feed the most is the one that will win the bone.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.