The Holy Spirit reminded me of a fable which I once heard about an old Cherokee Indian telling his grandson a story about a battle that goes on inside of people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. “One is Evil – It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good – It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one that you feed.”

As I read this story, the Holy Spirit was showing me that there are many Christians who are battling within themselves. Two natures are constantly trying to control our way of thinking, which will eventually dominate our lives.

The Lord says;

“To those of you who have been struggling and battling from within, don’t allow negative thoughts to rule and dominate your way of thinking. Don’t allow the nature of your flesh to win the battle. That is your old nature contending with the divine nature which is created in you by the transformation of your renewed mind. Don’t allow carnality to gain ground. Allow My Spirit to lead and direct you from the inside and you will be set free from this struggle. When times of temptation arise, know that you have the strength to follow the way of the Spirit. When you are tested and tried through the contention of others, don’t give in to their accusations. Do not be controlled by your senses. Do not be controlled by your feelings. Do not be led by any thoughts that are contrary to My word. Stay strong through difficult times and prayerfully seek Me to lead you and guide you in the way of righteousness.”

Then the Lord brought me back to the book of Genesis. There is a story about Isaac’s wife Rebecca who was pregnant with twins which they named Jacob and Esau. The bible says that when Rebecca was pregnant, the twins jostled (fought) each other within her womb and she didn’t understand what was happening. When she inquired of the Lord, He told her that there were two nations within her womb, one will be stronger and the other shall serve the younger. When I read this scripture, the Holy Spirit showed me a metaphor of Esau representing the flesh and Jacob representing the spirit. The struggle between Jacob and Esau in the womb is symbolic of the struggle that is going on inside of you as your flesh is warring against your Spirit.

And the Lord says;

“Just as the rivalry was between Jacob and Esau, stand steadfast and don’t give up your birthright. Don’t dismiss the blessing that I have bestowed upon your life by submitting to carnality. As these two natures are in constant conflict and struggle against each other, hold on to the dream that I have placed in you. Don’t let go of what I have already provided for you as you learn how to master your flesh and submit to the Spirit living and dwelling on the inside of you,”

says the Lord.

“But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger”” Genesis 25:22-23.

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me” Romans 7:18-23.

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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 5:16-17.

ELAINE TAVOLACCI
Staten Island, NY
www.awordinseason.info
www.TheVoiceOfBreakthrough.com