I live in a neighborhood where people mow their lawns, plant flowers, and clean up after their dogs. But sometimes at night, we hear eerie noises. I’m not talking about the neighbor’s beagle yelping at the moon. This is creepy howling that is totally untamed. For our neighborhood is plagued by coyotes.
Sometimes when they wake me up, I lie there and think about the coyote wildness inside us. We all have it—it’s part of our spiritual DNA. Paul explained it this way: “There is [a] power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (Romans 7:23). Paul’s transparency helps us see that even Christians who walk with God struggle with unruliness in their souls.
Fortunately, he also reminds us that we have no obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do (8:12). If you’re like me, you might forget that you have a choice—you don’t have to listen to the whispers of your wild side: A few more glasses of wine won’t hurt. . . . Just glancing at that woman is no big deal . . .
While we do have a choice when it comes to sin, we can’t make the right call consistently without the power of the Holy Spirit. As believers in Jesus, we have God’s Holy Spirit alive within us, but we have to allow Him to do His job. Paul said, “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16).
Untamed, like those coyotes, “the [sin nature] never did obey God’s laws and it never will” (Romans 8:7). With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can exchange our reckless tendencies for God’s peace—a better option than lying awake at night, listening to the call of the wild.
More:
• Romans 6:2
• Galatians 2:20
• 1 Peter 1:14-15
Next:
How can the Holy Spirit help you defeat your wild side? When was the last time you asked the Holy Spirit to influence your thinking and decisions?
fieldlily on August 12, 2010 at 5:42 am
Thank you for giving us this perspective. Sometimes we read the Word and even though we understand it, a different view will give it more meaning and clarity. I am sorry that others struggle with “the call of the wild” but I am also glad to know that I am not the only one that has an “alien” inside struggling to get out. This has given me some things to think and pray about regarding my choices. I feel that the Lord has been opening my eyes about many things lately, but I struggle with wanting to change and fear of failing.
Again I thank you for this devotional.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 12, 2010 at 4:05 pm
fieldlily, thank you for your comments. Your transparency about the struggle of wanting to change, and fear of failing says it quite well. I think many of us can relate to those issues. Regarding “wanting to change,” I know that I sometimes I get comfortable with the status quo in my spiritual life—as you said, wanting to change can be a challenge. However, God calls us forward. The fear of failure is also a difficult thing to overcome. Remember, “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world”. We can have victory through Christ. On our own, failure is almost certain—the call of the wild is too powerful. But, with Christ, nothing is impossible.
lindagma on August 12, 2010 at 6:08 am
That’s what makes heaven so attractive… no more struggle.. Just imagine!
lindellj on August 12, 2010 at 8:23 am
Thank you, thank you ,thank you for this message today this is the best. Reading a book by A.W. Tozer has made this message come to life for me. That inner person can be very convincing but with the realization of choice and the Holy Spirit guidence, it’s amazeing the love our God has for us. Of course the choice is ours to make when those whispers enter the mind and hopefully the consequences are realized also but again the choice is ours, I choose God.
tony rodriguez on August 12, 2010 at 10:43 am
PEOPLE SOMETIMES TALK ABOUT THE HOLY TRINITY. FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT, HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT SO QUICK TO SPEAK ABOUT THE OTHER TRINITY THE UNHOLY OR UNRIGHTEOUS TRINITY. ME MYSELF AND I. I CAN LIE TO ME AND MAKE MYSELF BELIEVE IT. “I’M GOING TO GO TO THE CLUB BUT I’M NOT GOING TO DRINK, I’M GOING TO GET IN THIS CONVERSATION BUT NOT PARTAKE IN THE GOSSIP. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON BUT ALL THE WHILE GOD IS TELLING ME I DON’T WANT YOU THERE OR DON’T SAY THAT, DON’T DO THIS. GOD IS WHAT LIGHTS UP THE DARK AREAS OF OUR LIVES AND THE MINUTE WE START LISTENING TO THE WILD COYOTE IN OURSELVES WE HAVE HIT THE LIGHT SWITCH OR BLOWN OUT THE CANDLE, WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE, BUT IN CHOOSING TO PUT OUT THE LIGHT YOU’VE CHOSEN TO DWELL IN DARKNESS FOR HOWEVER LONG OR SHORT IT MAY BE. OUT OF LOVE FOR THE LORD AND THE FURTHERING OF THE GOSPEL I CHOOSE TO SERVE MY SAVIOR THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE GLORY. HALLELUJAH!
carollyn on August 12, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Thanks for this message.
Many times I have been into this battle. And each time, I would think if it’s normal at all. It is frightening, but then again every battle starts and should end where it began.
It is really the power of the Spirit of God who won our battles- for us, if we believe. It is this freedom of choice that we have- you have this thought, what are you going to do with it. Can you fight it on your own or are you willing for God to fight for you?
As it’s been said- TRUST. Trust Him and He will never let you fall.
God bless!
Drew on August 12, 2010 at 11:17 pm
What a wonderful message! The ongoing process of sanctification can be such a struggle. I too battle with worry and fear of failure. When issues like this arise- I am often reminded by my family “If God is with us who can be against us?” Thanks again for your encouragement!
conmeo on August 13, 2010 at 12:41 am
Thank you and thank God that we have ODJ and all these contributors. My inner cayote had possession of me for a time. I’ve lost my home my work my wife of 35 years and my family. These devotions are important for me to just make it from day to day. I know the Lord, my Lord is with me but the pain is deep. Please pray for those of us in need of prayer and encouragement. Please ask for the Holy Spirit be with us and guide us.