It has been said that the greatest enemy we have is ourselves. I believe that to be true. We miss many blessings in life because our thinking is wrong, which causes our attitudes to stink, therefore our actions follow suit.
It is the war within, that causes us to lash out at others causing strife and contention with others. James 4:1-3 deals with this issue.
James 4:1-3 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
If we would deal with our own hearts properly, that would be the end of our conflict. Can you imagine a world where all Christians were secure in their relationship with Christ, making them treat others with respect, love, and dignity? This would be like heaven! Really!
The real essence of sin is selfishness. While serving in Richmond, VA for 17 years, we worked as lay youth leaders. One of the privileges of this position was to take the kids to camp. We soon found an incredible place called “The Wilds.” It was the very best camp I have ever attended. I think a big part of that was their attitude toward the day-to-day life lived out for Christ. Their theme verse was;
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whither therefore, ye eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This verse, coupled with their attitude on choices in life, set them up as true servants for the King. Their motto was, “There are only two choices on the shelf: pleasing God or pleasing self.” Selfish desires are dangerous things, and they cause wrong actions, lusting, fighting, and killing. They can even lead to wrong praying. Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Are you at war with yourself? If you are a Christian, and you are not sold out on what God wants for you, then you are at war with yourself! When a person receives Christ as their Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit then comes to reside in their heart. He is there to comfort us, and to guide us into all truth. If you are doing things or thinking things, that are against God’s will, you will be in a war within yourself. The Holy Spirit will be trying to guide you to do what is right, but your flesh will desire what is wrong. It’s up to you who wins. The quicker you determine, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to surrender to God’s will, the sooner the war will end.
John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
When wars cease, healing begins. Peace can reign once war has ended. Progress can be made toward a life that is pleasing to God. The only way to end any war is for one side to surrender or be killed. We must choose to do this if the Spirit is to win over the flesh. Otherwise, we will constantly be in a battle.
