A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver – Proverbs 25v11
Some years ago, there was a cartoon where a certain army scout was sent to spy out the enemy and report back to his superiors. He was unable to locate the enemy forces so in desperation he reported “I have seen the enemy and it is us”. I don’t know what his commanding Officer thought, but his words are profoundly true because the reality is that our greatest enemy is not out there waiting to attack us, but the real enemy is here in our midst – in our own minds and hearts. The Book of Galatians chapter 5 describes numerous enemies which are waging war in Christians’ lives. They are not external forces such as persecution, but what the Bible calls our flesh or our character. Some of these enemies are listed in verse 19-21: “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy”. All of these are in conflict with the fruits of the Spirit listed in verse 22: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. As Christians we need to look at ourselves and recognize our failings and short comings and take responsibility for them and stop the blame game that all our troubles are the fault of our parents, friends, church, society, etc.
We are solely responsible to make a conscious decision which side of the conflict we are allied to – are we going to continue justifying our character flaws or surrender our will to the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to grow fruit that will feed and enrich this world and glorify God? Galatians 5 verse 24 says: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”.
Over the next few, weeks I should like to highlight the very real conflict between the flesh and the Spirit starting today with hatred at war with love. Hatred is a terrible word because it reflects a mind and heart of venom and always leads to violence either physically or emotionally and is totally destructive to the well-being of not only the object of hatred and innocent bystanders, but also the one who hates. That doesn’t mean we have to like everybody, but God does expect us to love everybody. Jesus said “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. (Matthew 5v43.) This command is impossible for us to do unless we allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of love.
Who is winning the war in your life? Hate which kills or love which brings life?
God Bless
Graeme Greenwood