Ever feel like there is a constant battle raging inside your body? Like at any moment you could be ripped in half by the sides constantly pulling your arms in a tug-a-war for your attention?

This tug-a-war has been going on for the last few weeks of my life as I constantly feel the desires of the Spirit pulling against the desires of the flesh. On one shoulder I hear God saying “spend time with Me my beloved,” and in the other I hear the flesh seducing me towards Facebook, Twitter, movies, and other earthly things.  When I weigh the options in my mind God is so much more appealing, but I often find myself putting Him off to spend a few more minutes looking at pictures on Facebook and keeping up with my Tweeps.  It sounds silly, but the flesh has amped up its tug the last four days. I’m studying abroad in Angers, France for the next seven weeks. While I know it is going to be an incredible time for my relationship with Christ to grow, I’m also far away from home living on a schedule that is seven hours ahead of all my loved ones. It seems that social media is going to be the only way to stay in contact with those who mean the most to me and is also my worst enemy coaxing me away from the most important and loving relationship I will ever known.

In Galatians, Paul tells us this battle will constantly rage:

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

In the words of Tyler David at the Austin Stone Community Church, we must “Live in the Tension.”  There’s going to be a battle, but as Christians we have Christ walking with us the whole way.  We have a Savior that has been through the tension and conquered it without faltering.  My personal challenge is to choose the Spirit. In moments where I know the Spirit is calling me to dive into the Truth and live out its call to the fullest, I’m not going to submit to the flesh.

Much love,

Meredith

For more about “Living in the Tension” check out Tyler David’s sermon here. It is super great for anyone going through a battle between the Spirit and the flesh!