Who are you feeding? The Internal Struggle

The young man tells the old man that there are two wolves that continually fight within him; a white wolf and a black wolf.


The old man asks, "Which one prevails?"


The young man answers, "The one that I feed always wins."

Our sanctification as Christians, growing in grace, knowledge, and holiness, is a constant struggle. "Sanctification is that inward spiritual work which the Lord Jesus Christ works in a man by the Holy Ghost, when He calls him to be a true believer....He seperates him from his natural love of sin and the world, puts a new principle in his heart, and makes him pratically godly in life." (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, pg. 19) Sanctification is not doing works so we will be justified before God, Jesus already accomplished righteousness for us on the cross, we did not do a single act to save ourselves.

However, we are commanded in Scripture to be holy as Christ is holy. To show ourselves approved. We are to strive for holiness and fight to live a godly life. "For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness." 1 Thessalonians 4:7

How do we do that? Do we just sit around and wait for the Holy Spirit to physically make us work for the Lord? Or are we prompted by the Word of God, prayer, and His spirit to will us to do good works? James 2:14-26 says faith without works is dead. Useless.

As Christians we have been granted a new life! One that is certainly not free from sin while we are in the world. But, we are commanded to be holy. We are to strive and fight against our old nature, putting to death the flesh daily. Colossians 3:5 says to "put to death what is earthly in you."

Two natures are at war in believers, just like the internal fighting wolves.

The one that is fed will win. If we corrupt our minds with obscenity and worldliness, our sinful nature will be the one that wins and devours us.

But if we abide in the Word, feeding our desires of the spirit, then our holy nature through Christ will win and we will be bringing honor to the Lord.

What are we feeding our spiritual selves? Garbage or health food?




"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

(A very wise man, my daddy, told me about the little story about the wolves I used. Thanks Daddy, it was very helpful!)