TLIC FAMILY. DAY 181. JUNE 30: DESIRES.

TLICfamily

Jun 30

THINK TOGETHER

Have you ever fought with someone in your house (a brother or sister, or your parents)?

READ TOGETHER

Why do people fight? Why do people argue with each other?

The answer is because they both want two very different things. They both want their own way. Maybe you have fought with someone because you both want the same toy or game. Or maybe you've disagreed on what TV show to watch.

The Bible says that when we have Jesus living in our hearts there is a really big fight happening inside of us. Listen to how the Apostle Paul describes this fight in his letter to the Galatians:

Galatians 5:16-17. ¹⁶But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Paul is teaching us that when we become a Christian we now have two sets of desires. We want two very different things. Yes, we are only one person, but we fight with ourselves because inside of us are two very different ways of thinking – the Holy Spirit way, and the Flesh way.

The "flesh" is what Paul calls that sinful and selfish part of you that still wants your own way. Have you ever done what your "flesh" wants? Have you ever been selfish? Have you ever been mean or disobedient? Have you ever complained or whined about things?

The "spirit" is the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus, that lives inside of you too. The Holy Spirit is helping you to want to be nice and kind. He helps you obey and be content and happy, even when you don't get your own way. The Holy Spirit reminds you that Jesus loves you and is always with you, even when things are hard.

Can you see the Holy Spirit helping you to be like Jesus?

Have you ever seen a boxing match? That's what's happening inside of you. A boxing match between your flesh and the Spirit. That's why sometimes you do the wrong thing and sometimes you do the right thing – because you have two sets of desires inside of you now.

But in the end the desires of Jesus that are inside of you will win. That's a promise from God. Sometimes you'll desire what Jesus desires. Sometimes you won't. But one day, when we are with Jesus, we will want what he wants, and we will want to be with him. And we will be, forever.

Because of Jesus we have his same desires inside of us now.

With Jesus we will have a fight inside of us, but we can choose what Jesus wants.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Watch "Let It Go" from Frozen. Talk about how Queen Elsa is giving in to her "fleshly," selfish desires here. Remember at the end she is changed by sacrificial love from her sister.