The Battle of the Brothers

Read

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law."

Think

Every day, whether we realize it or not, we are all facing a fight – a fight between the flesh (following our own desires) and the spirit (following the desires of Jesus). In the Book of Genesis, twin brothers Jacob and Esau had been facing a fight for their entire lives. At one point, Esau was starving and Jacob tricked him into trading a bowl of beans for his entire birthright. In that moment, Esau's decision cost him dearly, all for a couple of hours of satisfaction with A BOWL OF BEANS!

As humans, we are only as strong as our weakest moments. On our own, we find ourselves fumbling and failing. But when we walk in the desires of Jesus, rather than feeding on the temporary things of this earth, he helps us to feed on the eternal fruit of the Spirit. The Rolling Stones once sang a song with the lyrics "I can't get no satisfaction." True satisfaction will never come from the things of this world. True satisfaction only comes from God.

Apply

Who is your biggest enemy? What are you battling right now? Instead of giving in to momentary temptation, look to God and discover the fuel for the fight! 

Pray

God, thank you for showing me the difference between your desires and my own. I know that, without you, I am weak, but with you, I am strong. Help me to walk in your desires rather than in the desires my flesh, so I can have true eternal satisfaction. Amen.