Feed the right dog...

We hear the term spiritual warfare a lot, but we often think it only happens every once in a while. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and surrender our lives and wills to Him, in that moment we become an enemy to Satan. From then on we're fighting for the Lord and what He wants us to do with our lives. Satan knows our weaknesses, and so he attacks our weaknesses every chance he gets. This is spiritual warfare. Josh Hamilton is an extreme example of this case. His addictions are his weaknesses... and Satan crept in when he could, and told him "it's just one tattoo" "it's just a group of misunderstood guys" "it's just one drink, everyone does it" "it's just a little cocaine, it's not that much". Next thing he knew he was at the lowest of lows, physically weakened, family and friends no where to be found, and walking down the middle of a street with a car coming head-on....and so high that he even realize he was there until the car honked. It's a battle & it isn't pretty- especially when we don't fight back. There's this analogy that I've heard a lot; pretend there's 2 dogs inside you.... one is the good dog and one is the bad dog....if they get in a fight, whichever one you feed more is going to win. "Feeding the good dog" would be like reading and studying the Bible, being in consistent fellowship with believers, listening to praise & worship music. "Feeding the bad dog" would be like listening to negative music, being in places that tempt you, watching movies that remind you of your weakness, being around people that participate in what your weakness is.... A less extreme example of spiritual warfare that is very real to many of us is doubt.... we sometimes find ourselves laying awake at night wondering....what if God isn't real. If we've been feeding the good dog, we can immediately say of course He is!....the Bible says this.... I witnessed an answered prayer in small group last week..... I've felt His presence in my worshiping this week..... If we've been feeding the bad dog..... our answer is.... this bad thing is happening, and He feels so far away- I don't think He even cares..... but this feels so good....how is it wrong- Christians just let me down...
Daily spiritual warfare.
 Feed the right dog.

God is good all the time, even when we're weak.