Spurgeon: June AM
* 06/02/AM
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh."
--Galatians 5:17
In every believer's heart there is a constant struggle
between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very
active, and loses no opportunity of plying all the weapons of
its deadly armoury against newborn grace; while on the other
hand, the new nature is ever on the watch to resist and destroy
its enemy. Grace within us will employ prayer, and faith, and
hope, and love, to cast out the evil; it takes unto it the
"whole armour of God," and wrestles earnestly. These two
opposing natures will never cease to struggle so long as we are
in this world. The battle of "Christian" with "Apollyon" lasted
three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all
the way from the Wicket Gate in the river Jordan. The enemy is
so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out
while we are in this body: but although we are closely beset,
and often in sore conflict, we have an Almighty helper, even
Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is ever with us, and
who assures us that we shall eventually come off more than
conquerors through Him. With such assistance the new-born nature
is more than a match for its foes. Are you fighting with the
adversary to-day? Are Satan, the world, and the flesh, all
against you? Be not discouraged nor dismayed. Fight on! For God
Himself is with you; Jehovah Nissi is your banner, and
Jehovah Rophi is the healer of your wounds. Fear not, you
shall overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on,
"looking unto Jesus"; and though long and stern be the conflict,
sweet will be the victory, and glorious the promised reward.
"From strength to strength go on;
Wrestle, and fight, and pray,
Tread all the powers of darkness down,
And win the well-fought day."