war of the worlds
"Where do the conflicts and disputes among you originate? Is it not your inner cravings that make war within your members?" —James 4:1
We have soldiers, bombs, policemen, and lawyers to deal with conflicts and disputes. We spend a fortune on our symptoms but avoid dealing with the causes, that is, our inner cravings making war within our members. Only the "Holy Spirit, Who is within" (1 Cor 6:19), can deal with the war within.
"The flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; the two are directly opposed" (Gal 5:17). "My point is that you should live in accord with the Spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh" (Gal 5:16). "If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the evil deeds of the body, you will live" (Rm 8:13).
The Spirit will convict us of sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8). He will take us to the cross and show us the connection between our sins and Jesus' suffering and death. After that, we will never be the same. We will be crucified to the world and the world to us (Gal 6:14). We will no longer make provision for the inner cravings of the flesh. We will put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rm 13:14). We will have victory inside and victory outside. The war will be won in the power of the Spirit.
Prayer: Jesus, You won the war on Calvary. May I claim Your victory by the power of the Spirit. May I be more than a conqueror (Rm 8:37).
Promise: "Cast your care upon the Lord, and He will support you." —Ps 55:23
Praise: St. Peter Damian was orphaned at a young age, but found a home in the Church that was so profound that he was honored with the title "Doctor of the Church."
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape, Power in the Spirit, on audio tape AV 64-1 or video V-64.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 16, 2005
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