Have you heard the story, The Two Wolves? There are many variations of it, and I couldn’t find a definitive answer on where it originated, but here’s a version that I like:
AN ELDERLY CHEROKEE BRAVE TOLD HIS GRANDSON ABOUT A BATTLE THAT GOES ON INSIDE PEOPLE.
“MY SON,” HE SAID, “THE BATTLE IS BETWEEN TWO ‘WOLVES’ INSIDE US ALL. ONE IS EVIL. IT IS ANGER, ENVY, JEALOUSY, GREED, ARROGANCE, SELF-PITY, RESENTMENT, LIES, PRIDE, AND EGO.
THE OTHER IS GOOD. IT IS JOY, PEACE, LOVE, HOPE, HUMILITY, KINDNESS, BENEVOLENCE, EMPATHY, GENEROSITY, TRUTH, COMPASSION AND FAITH.”
THE GRANDSON THOUGHT FOR A MINUTE, AND THEN ASKED HIS GRANDFATHER:
“WHICH WOLF WINS?…”
THE OLD CHEROKEE REPLIED, “THE ONE YOU FEED.”
This story came to mind as I was reading Romans 8.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
~Romans 8:5-6
The flesh and the Spirit are the two wolves. When we fulfill the desires of the flesh, we feed the evil wolf. When we fulfill the desires of The Spirit, we feed the good wolf.
Which wolf we feed is no trivial matter. The stakes are literally life and death! I don’t know about you, but I want to choose the path that leads to life and peace over the path that leads to death. Let’s look at some ways that we can feed the Spirit and starve the flesh.
What we look at.
Every day we make important choices about what we allow into our minds via our eyes. Which T.V. shows and movies are you watching? What internet sites are you visiting? What books are you reading? These choices have a massive impact on your life.
I enjoy movies and T.V. as much as anyone, but it’s important to be selective in our entertainment choices. Much of what Hollywood produces is designed to cater to the desires of our flesh. Choose wisely.
What about benign entertainment, like watching sports? Nothing wrong with that, but its like consuming empty calories. We should be careful not to “fill up” on things that have no spiritual value. When it comes to neutral entertainment, moderation is key.
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
~Mathew 6:22-23
What we listen to.
The music you listen to has a powerful influence on you, for good or bad. Talk radio and podcasts can be uplifting or discouraging. The messages you listen to every day feed one wolf or the other.
If you want to feed the Spirit, choose carefully who and what you listen to. Test what your favorite podcaster says against scripture and see if it holds up. Pay attention to the lyrics in the songs you listen to, and ask if they are in line with biblical teaching.
Then [Jesus] added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.
To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
~Mark 4:24-25
The company we keep.
“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” ~Dan Peña
Who do you spend most of your time with? We become like the people we hang around. Do your friends move you closer to God or farther from Him?
We humans are social creatures. We need each other. But it’s vital to surround yourself with people who lift you up, encourage you, and who care about your spiritual growth.
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
~Proverbs 12:26
Take stock.
The choices you make every day matter. Take some time this week to assess how you spend your time and who you spend it with. Is there room for improvement? Are there changes you need to make regarding what you watch and listen to? Do you need to make adjustments in your social life? Ask God to help you make changes that will draw you closer to Him. Choose carefully which wolf you feed every day!
“I love the story about the two wolves! It inspires me to choose things that will feed the good wolf in my life.”Thanks for the practical advice! It helps me have a clearer perspective on the things that are important in life.”
“I can relate to the story. It reminds me that my choices have a big impact on my life.
“The Bible verse helps me have a deeper understanding of the concepts of the good wolf and the bad wolf.”