The Enemy of Our Hearts

The day I received Jesus, I immediately sensed an internal presence leading me in a way of life that starkly contrasted with how I previously lived. I was a new creation with the Holy Spirit living in me. But after a few weeks, my spiritual high faded, and I felt the battle for my heart start.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” -Galatians 5:16-17 

The call of every believer is to fight the good fight of faith—daily deepening our relationship with Jesus. His ways are upside down to our natural tendencies. Upon belief, our whole way of thinking shifts to things above, and our actions reflect compassion, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. And that’s a struggle against our flesh.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” -Mark 8:35-36

We’re called to lose our lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel, and we do that by seeking Christ’s will and following Him in all phases of life. We’re called to leverage where He’s placed us for His glory by taking the gospel public, thereby changing lives as we lead others to find Jesus as their Savior.

This is where joy comes into full maturity because, as Christians, losing our lives leads to us finding a life of significance and ultimate meaning.

“‘However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.’” -Acts 20:24

Lord, life is found in You alone. Empower us with Your Spirit to be faithful to that call today. Amen.

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