The Word

    The Word
I want to follow up on my previous blog which ended with my declaration to delve into the Word.  I want to live by the Word and let it be my guide.  As a matter of fact, Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." I have only a simple practical application for this verse of scripture.  It is this, just as a lamp brightens a path for our feet to walk, God’s Word provides the illumination and guidance we need to walk in this world.  Only God’s Word provides the direction we need.  If I am to live for the Lord as a good Christian, I must abide by the Word of God.
So then, I have come to the understanding that if I am to grow spiritually, I must align myself, closely, with people of the same mind and faith.  This reminds me of the story I was told by one of my Indigenous brothers and friend.  He said to me, words to the effect, we all have two wolves within us, each competing for prominence.  But only one will and can win.  I kept looking at him for more of the story.  He then turned to me and asked, “Which of them do you think will win?” Before I could answer, he said to me. “It is the one that you feed, the one you feed will be stronger and will win.”  Never thought of it. But he is absolutely correct.  The one that is fed will be stronger and become more powerful.  My friend then asked me, “What do you want to feed the flesh of the spirit?”
       Internal Struggle
Right after that, he points me to Galatians 5:17.  It says, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,  and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the ​one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (KJV).  As we explore this verse of scripture, I understand that there is a spiritual conflict within all of us as Christians.  This conflict involves the entirety of ourselves.  The struggle is whether we want to surrender to our sinful inclinations and submit to sin’s control, or whether we will yield to the Spirits’ demand and continue to live under God’s control.  The battlefield is our mind, it is within us, and the conflict will continue until we are raptured.  Wow, this is powerful, but it does make sense.
I exclaimed to my friend, “I get it!” He looked at me kinda skeptically.  So, I said to him.  I do, I really do, because sometimes, even when I know something is wrong, and I tell myself, I will do it, or participate in a particular activity, I still do it and feels so guilty afterward.  He said to me “That was the Holy Spirit, first of all, it warned you against transgressing, and when you ignored the warning, the Holy Ghost convicted you of the sin you committed.”  My friend further explained to me that it was the Holy Ghost will always alert me when I am about to do something wrong or sinful.  This is powerful stuff, thank God for this teaching. 
My friend and brother told me, “You needed to obey the voice of God, as it will always guide you in the path of righteousness, but the voice of Satan will always lead you in the path of sin.”  I immediately remember where our discussion began.  It began with Psalm 119:105! This verse of scripture also lends itself to the believer, hearing and obeying the voice of God.  I smiled, with joy in my heart, the Lord brought my mind to John 10: 27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
I am so blessed to have spent time in the world with my brother and friend.  It was not my intention to engage in a powerful mini-bible study.  But, God knows, what I need, and so He provided me with this opportunity.  The Word is so sweet and provides me guidance.
Thank you, Jesus!
 

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