[ecko_quote source="Galatians 2:20"]I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me[/ecko_quote]
It was told about a Missionary who went to China. After spending some time there, a Chinese man gave his heart to Christ through this mans' Ministry. Eventually, they became very close friends. This Chinese gentleman grew in stature as a man of God. The Missionary left and went back to his homeland. Around five years later, he went to visit this Chinese man. He asked him how his Christian walk was going. The Chinese man said, "It’s as if two dogs are fighting in my heart - a black one and a white one. There's' one that represents good and the other that represents evil one". The Missionary asked him, "Which one is winning?". He replied, quite interestingly, "It depends on which one I feed the most".
My dear ones, examine yourself which dog in our heart is getting more food at the moment? It’s our choices and life style that will determine which one we were feeding the most. Obviously, the one we feed the most would be the strongest and would overpower us. In this day and age, people are busy with many things and are exposed to various temptations and thoughts. When our minds are filled with garbage of this world, inevitably our thoughts are corrupted and will pave a way to indulge in sins and further lead us to practice sins. The way for the Satan to enter into lives through our thoughts. He enters through our thought line. Once he enters into our thoughts he makes us focus on those thoughts. It's just like a computer hackers entering into our system. Once they're in, they can gain access to everything. They would use information for their purpose and gain.
Therefore, my dear ones guard your mind and feed your minds with the precious word of God on a daily basis. We have to renew our minds/souls with the engrafted word of God and present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (Roman 12:1). Remember that our spirit is born again (which in essence is what we are) and mind/soul need to be renewed with the word of God (that is our duty), and our bodies must be kept as holy vessels ready to serve our God.
Saint Augustine lived his early life in an unconstrained manner by fulfilling the lust of the flesh, and his mother was much grieved by his lifestyle. However, she prayed for him continuously and as a result of her prayer; he was marvellously saved. After he had given his life to Jesus, while he was passing through one of his favourite streets in the past, a prostitute called him saying "Augustine, Augustine, It is I". In response, he turned towards her and said: "Yes, but It is not I". This is what God is expecting from His dear children. We no longer live to please our flesh, but glorify Christ who now lives in us.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).
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