Battle of the Wolves

I came across an interesting story the other day. An old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, guilt, and pride. The other is Good. It is love, joy, peace, hope, humility, kindness, truth, empathy, compassion, and faith. The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked, “Which one wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Think about it. We all know someone who seems to focus all of his or her energy on those negative things. Their thoughts and conversations revolve around their anger, regrets, etc. The more they “feed” those things, or think/talk about them, the bigger they seem to get. In the book of Romans, Paul says that we should think of ourselves with sober judgment. Sober can mean reasonably, sensibly, honestly. And, in 1 Corinthians, he challenges us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. You may not be able to keep those negatives from popping into your mind, but you do have the power, if you choose to use it, to take them captive. What happens when you make a thought obedient to Christ? You “feed” the good wolf.
Did you notice how similar the old Cherokee’s description of the good wolf is to the fruit of the Spirit? James reminds us that God opposes the proud (evil wolf) but gives grace to the humble (good wolf). He then says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. In other words, feed the good wolf and starve the evil one.
So, how do we actually do this? The scriptures say, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful,” and “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the sinful desires of the flesh.”
It’s not going to happen overnight. You feed your body every day—multiple times a day. Which “wolf” do you feed that often? It’s easier to feed the evil wolf because that takes no effort. The scriptures tell us to study to show ourselves approved. The Psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
How are you going to take each thought captive and make it obedient to Christ? Study his word, memorize his word, live according to his word. The more you feed your spirit, the stronger it will grow. Feast on the word of God. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your laws” Psalm 119:103.
Remember the words of the old Cherokee: Which one wins? The one you feed.