Wednesday, October 13: Inner conflict

When a well-oiled machine is working smoothly, the continuous hum of the engine is like music. That machine can be a piece of equipment, but also can be a group or individual. Regardless of size of the equipment or the number of parts involved, lubrication minimizes friction to the point where all work together, smoothly. While it might be easier to grasp this concept by picturing an engine, each of us operates daily in the same manner. Often, we seem to forget that we are more than a body, as it constantly requires food, water and maintenance to keep it going. Yet as Christians, that machinery involves body, soul and spirit.


For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:20


Because God dwells within us in the form of the Holy Spirit, we are aware of His presence in our lives. God has not split Himself up into tiny increments, and placed that tiny increment of Himself within each believer. Instead, all of God is within each of us! Even with God’s constant presence in our lives, our bodies seem to have times when they work against the Spirit, rather than with the Spirit. Yet oil lubricates the machinery! Is it ironic that the word oil in the Bible is emblematic of the Holy Spirit? He makes all things work together for our benefit!


And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28


Often in the Bible, we see anointing with oil, and in the following verse, we can see that God anoints us with His Spirit. That covering empowers each believer with might that far surpasses our own strengths and abilities.


18“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
Luke 4:18-19


Additionally, that power enables us to present our bodies to the Lord for His purposes. Paul reminds us that if we feed the flesh, the flesh grows, but if we feed the Spirit, the Spirit grows. To walk in God’s power is to ignore the cravings of the flesh. That doesn’t mean that we should give up food and water, but that our focus should remain on God, not self.


I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2


One of the most powerful words in the verse above is “reasonable.” God does not view this request as a great accomplishment, but what is rational in exchange for all that He has accomplished on our behalves. Notice, though, that this is not a commandment. Instead, Paul begins by saying, “I beseech you,” which means, “I beg you to do this.” Paul begs us, as he understands the blessing that will come to each believer who submits in this way to God!

When the “machinery” of body, soul and spirit is well-oiled, there are no limits to what God may accomplish through us! Additionally, when the body of believers is also lubricated by the Holy Spirit, our Lord empowers the body to work together in the same facet. To be a hypocrite is to be in conflict within yourself. Hupokrites is the Greek word for actors, literally, “to answer back.” When an actor received a cue, he was expected to respond in a prescribed way. Instead of a situation-comedy, God desires for us to be a reality show! If God truly is dwelling within us, then our words, deeds and motives should reflect His attributes! Don’t let the cravings of the flesh overpower the desires of the Spirit. Without oil, your machine will seize up, making your engine a paperweight for the rest of eternity!


24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25