Modern Parable? 2 Natures simultaneously?

A modern parable:

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside 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 you feed.'


I find this analogy cute but I always try and compare new ideas to the framework I already have, the person of Christ and the work of the Cross to see if it portrays the change that comes with the ministry of the spirit.

This analogy would be good if there were two natures in you simultaneously. This is the Romans Chapter 7 dilemma about two natures fighting over right and wrong, one side beating up on the other side, but Chapter 8 breaks out in raptures of joy because the conflict is resolved "in Christ". The conundrum is broken when you consider the flesh is dead on the cross! and the Spirit in you is now alive.

Without Christ there is two voices telling you to do good AND to do bad. This is consistent with the bible teaching about sin: "and they ate from the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil" People now know how to do both and know how to mix the two up as if they were the same. Even worse, if people can distinguish the two they are not certain to uphold the good over the bad for a lot of reasons.

The "in Christ" teaching of Romans 8 breaks the deadlock, by saying that the ministry of the Spirit changes a persons heart and they will WANT to conform to the good, no struggle, no hoops, no compliance rating, its a transformation on what you are, it is a transformation of what you do.

How you think affects how you feel, affects how you see things and affects what you do and affects what you say.

The Christian is one who sees in Jesus, nailed to the cross, as their own death, His burial, their burial. A sinner benefits from this death when they say "rightly that should have been me". this change of heart: from pride to submission means EVERYTHING to God and all Heaven rejoices.

The transition is completed by the resurrection. Christ's first then yours through baptism. Baptism embodies this teaching. Christs death and resurrection is YOUR death and resurrection in the waters of Baptism.

The creature that is born again is TOTALLY different to the one with the old heart and desires.The heart that has been through the 'change' now in the "Spirit" now desires the kind, loving, helpful etc

When you know that the spirit of living God now dwells in you, your mind dwells on how to do the things of the spirit.

Those who vascilate have not actually laid down their life, don't see their sin, do not see the Holiness of God, don't see their forgiveness. Those who know they are FORGIVEN much will LOVE much. LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Living by the spirit will immediately find a disconnect with the world and its ways. Opening your mouth to establish Gods position will prevent the problem of doing evil. As soon as you open your mouth you will instantly have those who will watch you, especially if you trip up or fall. Any compromise on your part will neutralise your word's power.

I think it would be fruitful to investigate the issue of "vascillation"....a new post soon.